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The purpose of this interview guide is to assist the consumer in determining the expertise and competence of the home inspector prior to engaging that inspector's services. While most inspectors properly perform their services pursuant to industry standards, or in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate state agency licensing or regulating home inspectors, uninformed consumers may be unaware of the history, experience or basic business philosophy of individual inspectors.

While these questions may help determine the competency of the inspector(s) interviewed, the consumer should understand the answers to the questions alone do not determine an inspector's competency. Responses must be interpreted, other investigations may be needed, or other data obtained to make the proper selection. In most cases, the home buyer makes the final decision in hiring the home inspector. Therefore, great care should be exercised in this interview and selection process.

1. How long have you been licensed to inspect residential properties?
2. What other licenses do you presently hold?
3. Have you ever had a complaint filed against you or been sued as a result of your inspection business and, if so, explain the circumstance(s) and how the matter(s) were resolved?
4. How many inspections do you typically conduct on an average day of inspecting and how lengthy is your report?
5. Do you carry Errors and Omission insurance for the properties you inspect?
6. If you do not carry E & O insurance, how will you warrant and financially stand behind your inspection services?
7. What is your policy if your inspection report fails to reveal a deficiency that subsequently is discovered after the property is purchased?
8. Who do you represent in an inspection and how do you deal with people you don't represent who may object to your inspection findings?
9. Have you ever been requested by real estate licensees to limit or minimize your inspection findings and, if so, how did you respond to those requests?
10. What typical mistakes do you feel home buyers make when having properties inspected or selecting inspectors?
11. What are you prohibited by policy or regulation from inspecting or commenting on in a typical home inspection?
12. If you were buying a property that was at least 20 years old, what inspections would you personally require as the buyer based on your own experience?
13. How do you interpret the role of the real estate licensee in the property inspection process?
14. How do you feel about lender required repairs in connection with your inspection process?
15. Have you ever had a mortgage broker or appraiser attend your inspections and, if not, are there any reasons you would object to their being there to hear you report your findings?
16. Are you willing to re-inspect the property being purchased after revealed deficiencies have been repaired and, if so, what fee would you charge for the re-inspection process?
17. Are you willing to provide a list of past customers who have used your inspection services?
18. When will you furnish a written inspection report and what form will that report take?
19. Will you provide repair estimates for deficient items revealed as a result of your inspection?
20. Will you recommend that specific inspection "experts" be engaged in the event you feel that the possible condition of certain inspected items may be beyond your professional expertise?
21. Please provide three reasons why your services as a home inspector provide the buyer with greater value than other inspectors may.
22. What should a home buyer be careful about when choosing a home inspector?
23. If a real estate licensee has ever been upset with you because of your inspection, what caused that licensee to be so upset?
24. Do you have any objections to real estate licensees, or anyone else, being present when you conduct your inspections?
25. If a home buyer elects not to use your home inspection services, who else would you recommend for that purpose and why?

Home Buyer Property Inspections; Good Planning is the First Step

This HOME INSPECTOR INTERVIEW GUIDE is provided for consumer education.