Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. That's why it's crucial to have a professional home inspector thoroughly examine the property before you finalize the sale. A home inspection will reveal any defects, damage, or potential issues with the home that could cost you thousands down the road.

With so many home inspection services in a major metro area like Houston, how do you pick the right one? Here are some tips for selecting the best home inspector for your needs:

Look for Experience & Licensing

One of the most important factors is choosing an inspector with extensive experience inspecting homes in your area. Look for a home inspector who has been in business for 5+ years and has inspected at least 200 homes. This level of experience ensures they will be familiar with local building codes, common issues in local homes, and what to look out for during the inspection.

You also want to verify the inspector has the proper licenses. Home inspectors in Texas should have a TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) license. This involves passing exams on state laws, standards, and building codes. An inspector with a TREC license has demonstrated a baseline level of knowledge and proficiency.

Check Certifications & Continuing Education

On top of proper licensing, the ideal inspector will hold certifications from leading professional organizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). These certifications require continuing education annually, so inspectors them stay up-to-date on the latest standards, technology, and methods for home inspections.

ASHI certification is one of the most prestigious for home inspectors. ASHI-certified inspectors must follow strict standards and ethics guidelines, perform a minimum of 250 fee-paid inspections, pass rigorous exams, and take 24 hours of continuing education every 3 years. Choose an ASHI inspector and you can feel confident they have demonstrated high expertise.

Look for Specialized Inspections

While a general home inspection covers all the major systems, components, and structures, some homes require specialized inspections. For example, older homes may need an inspection looking just for lead paint or asbestos.

See if the inspector offers other specialized inspections beyond the general inspection. Some key ones that may be useful include:

• Radon inspection
• Mold inspection
• Lead paint inspection
• Asbestos inspection
• Sewer scope inspection
• Chimney inspection

An inspector who offers these value-added services will be able to thoroughly inspect your prospective home for issues that could impact your family's health and safety.

Ask About Their Inspection Process

A thorough home inspection is about more than just an inspector walking through the house for an hour. You want someone who will take the time to fully evaluate the condition of the home.

During your initial call or meeting, ask the inspector to walk you through their typical inspection process. The inspection should include examining the roof, attic, interior, and exterior of the home, as well as closely inspecting the foundation, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, major appliances, drainage, and other aspects.

Pay attention to how comprehensive their process is and if they use common inspection tools like moisture meters, outlet testers, thermal imaging cameras, etc. Quality inspectors will have a systematic approach they follow for each home inspection.

Request Sample Inspection Reports

Any professional home inspector should be able to provide samples of past inspection reports they’ve completed for other clients. Ask to see a few recent samples so you can preview their reporting style and level of detail.

A comprehensive home inspection report should be very thorough, running dozens of pages long in most cases. It will contain many photographs of any issues or defects found during the inspection. A summary page should also list any components or systems that need repair or replacement.

Reviewing sample reports gives you a good feel for the inspector's expertise, professionalism, and work quality before hiring them.

Ask About Their Background & Training

There are no required qualifications to become a home inspector in Texas. Anyone can technically get licensed and start inspecting homes. That's why it's important to dig into an inspector's background, experience, and training.

Some key questions to ask:

• What's your background and professional history? Look for those with construction, electrical, or engineering backgrounds.
• How did you get started in home inspections? Most learn under an experienced mentor.
• What type of training do you have? Training from industry associations is ideal.
• Do you focus solely on home inspections or other types of work? Inspectors who also do repairs may have conflicts of interest.
• How many inspections have you completed in Houston? Look for several hundred or more local inspections.
• Do you focus on inspecting any particular type of home? An inspector with experience in older homes or luxury homes may be a better fit.

The inspector's responses will give you a good idea of their qualifications and how much experience they have specifically with inspecting homes in your area.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Like with any service, you'll want to obtain quotes from several home inspection companies to compare pricing and services. Make sure to get an itemized quote listing exactly what is included so you can easily compare quotes.

Home inspection costs range from $300-$500+ for a typical single-family home inspection. Additional services like sewer scope inspections or radon testing will add to the total cost.

While cost shouldn't be the only factor, cheaper is not necessarily better when it comes to home inspections. You want an inspector who will be thorough, not rushed, so be wary of prices that seem too low.

Look for Membership in Industry Groups

Industry groups like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) offer various memberships to home inspection companies that meet their professional standards.

Choose a home inspector that belongs to one or more of these respected industry organizations. Membership indicates they adhere to a code of ethics and meet continuing education requirements.

Read Home Inspection Reviews

One of the best ways to evaluate home inspectors is to read reviews from past clients. Inspectors with consistently positive reviews are likely to provide a good service.

Search for reviews on Google, Yelp, and other review sites. You can also ask the inspector for a list of past client references you can contact to ask about their inspection experience.

Pay attention to how detailed the inspections were, if major issues were missed, how responsive the inspector was after the inspection, and if they adhered to standards and ethics.

Consider the Inspector's Communication Skills

The home inspection process doesn't end when the inspection is over. The best inspectors will take time to thoroughly explain their findings, answer all your questions, and be available after the inspection if any issues come up.

Pay attention to the inspector's communication skills during your initial calls and meetings. Do they listen attentively and welcome your questions? Can they explain inspection concepts clearly? These are signs that will effectively communicate with you throughout the process.

A home inspector you can communicate well with will make the inspection process and buying experience much smoother.

Trust Your Instincts

When meeting with prospective home inspectors, pay attention to your gut reaction and who you feel most comfortable with. The inspector will be closely examining what may become your new home, so it's important to choose someone you trust and can establish a rapport with.

If an inspector seems rushed, disinterested, or hard to pin down for straight answers, they may not be the right fit. Your instincts will tell you who you can best develop a working relationship with during the inspection and beyond.

Ask Your Real Estate Agent for Recommendations

Your real estate agent likely works frequently with home inspectors and can provide recommendations based on positive past client experiences. While you still want to vet inspectors yourself, your agent's insight can be invaluable.

Agents may have had feedback from clients on which inspectors provide the most detailed, thorough inspections. They can warn you away from any companies with lackluster reputations. Leverage your agent's local connections to find the best home inspectors in Houston.

Preview the Property Yourself First

Before the professional inspection, take time to preview the property yourself to look for any glaring issues. This will help you develop a list of items for the inspector to pay particular attention to during their examination.

As you do a walkthrough, look closely for signs of water damage, mold, stains on walls or ceilings, cracks, peeling paint, sagging floors, leaky faucets, smelly odors, and other red flags. List these areas so the inspector can further evaluate any potential problems.

Following a thorough process when selecting a home inspector will give you confidence knowing you've chosen someone qualified who will protect your investment. Be sure to secure an inspection contingency in your purchase offer so you can back out or renegotiate if major issues are discovered.

With an experienced home inspector that you trust, you can make one of life's biggest financial decisions with greater peace of mind.