I recently had a home inspection done on a house I had put an offer in on. It was a 15 year old home in pretty good shape on the surface, though there are always issues to be found once you look for them. A friend recommended an inspection company he had used and raved about the thoroughness of the inspection and the detailed report he received afterward.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The biggest thing he raved about though was "all the cool tools" his inspector used. Being a guy who likes gadgets and tinkering, these tools were like new toys to him. The inspector used a fancy looking CO detector, a borescope to inspect some wiring behind a wall that looked shoddily constructed, and a mold test kit after he found reason to suspect excessive moisture. Turns out the inspector found several serious issues with the home, ranging from faulty and bare wiring in the new wall the seller had recently put up, to evidence of a recurring leak in the foundation.

Mold Test Kits

So I gave this company a call, made an appointment and requested the inspector my friend had out. Turns out it is a fairly large company with fifteen or so inspectors. Unfortunately, the inspector I had requested was unavailable during the window I needed to complete the inspection in. So I agreed to have a different inspector out from the same company.

Boroscopes

Inspection day comes, and while I'm waiting outside the property to be inspected, a rusty, loud 1985-or-so pickup truck pulls up. Out comes a young man in jeans and a collared shirt with the inspection company's logo on it. I'm a little put off by the truck, but after a few minutes of talking and getting the general info exchanged, I feel better as he sounds like he knows exactly what to do and what he's talking about.

We begin going through the house and he starts talking into his handheld recorder making verbal notes as we go through. After a few minutes, he tries to go back and review something he said and discovers the batteries have been dead this whole time. Later, his attempt at using his CO detector was almost humorous and he mumbled for a few minutes about "must be mis-calibrated". Then he had to find the sellers ladder because he claimed his was unsafe extended beyond the 10 feet needed to get in the attic.

Inspection Kits

Overall, when it was over, he didn't find any serious problems nad gave me the same thorough, detailed report afterward as my friend got from this company. But you know what? When I got home, put it on a shelf without a glance and started looking for a new inspector right away.

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Why? Maybe this guy was knowledgeable, and he was thorough, but the fact is I didn't trust much of anything he said. He had an overall poor presentation of his business skills, and other than a newly laundered shirt he was wearing, it was obvious he hadn't put much money or thought into his business presentation. A rusty car, dead instruments and missing or broken tools...I had to ask why. Is he just a fill in for this company when they get heavy bookings? Does he just not care? Well whatever the reason, if he couldn't put a reasonable investment into his business, or if the inspection company couldn't, why should I consider making a large investment based on their inspection.

To make an already long story short, I had another inspector out the next day and he found basically the same faults and problems with the house. He was an absolute independant, just working under his own name. He came well equiped and prepared and gave a less detailed but just as effective report when all was said and done.

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So last week, a relative asked me for a reference for a home inspector. Who do you thihk I referred her to?

A. The company with 15 inspectors, some with good equipment and presentation, some not so good.

or

B. The small independant inspector who I know will show up and conduct a professional inspection.

Easy. B, Mr. Indpendant. I'm not saying larger companies can't provide good inspections. I'm just reminding you of that "one bad apple..." axiom.

Flashlights

Meaning if you work for or own an inspection company with several inspectors, it is in everyone's best interest that everyone has the right tools and equipment and that it works. In the case above, the inspector and company my friend had used have lost several referrals due to the poorly prepared inspector that came out for me.

At the same time, if you're an independant, make sure your equipment and presentation are top notch. It's likely your marketing budget is somewhat small, so you, your vehicle and your presentaion and performance are by far your most economical means of advertising.

One last thing, that may seem kind of silly, but trust me, it is effective. Remember what I said above about my friend being impressed with all the gadgets his inspector used? The tools and gadgets made the biggest impression on him. I think we all now he isn't the only guy in the world impressed by fancy gadgets. Pulling a few of those out during your inspection can give the client a "kid in a candy store" feeling and create an instant bond and provide dozens of future referrals. All because you invested in a $20 gadget. Maybe you needed it, maybe not. But if it brings more business, it could be the most important tool in your box.

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