Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your life. When you’re looking for a house in Massachusetts, it’s essential to find the best home inspector possible to thoroughly evaluate the property before you finalize the sale. A great home inspector can save you thousands of dollars down the road by identifying issues early. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hiring the best Massachusetts home inspectors.
What Does a Home Inspector Do?
A home inspector’s job is to evaluate the physical condition of a home and look for any issues or defects. They check the following main systems and components:
- Roof
- Attic
- Exterior (siding, windows, doors, decks, etc.)
- Structure and foundation
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Heating and cooling systems
- Insulation and ventilation
- Fireplaces and chimneys
- Kitchen appliances
- Interior rooms and floors
- Basement, crawlspace, and moisture issues
The inspector will methodically examine the property and document any problems like leaks, cracks, improper ventilation, outdated wiring, or potential safety hazards.
After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed written report explaining all the inspector’s findings. They’ll note which issues require immediate repairs versus general home maintenance. The report gives you a much clearer picture of the home’s condition before buying.
Why Hire a Home Inspector?
Hiring a professional home inspector when buying a house in Massachusetts is strongly advised for these reasons:
Save money: An inspection allows you to renegotiate the sale price if serious undisclosed problems are found. You can ask the sellers to make repairs or give a credit equal to the repair costs. This prevents expensive surprises down the line.
Avoid safety hazards: Inspectors test for issues like radon gas accumulation, faulty electrical wiring, and potential fire hazards. This protects you and your family.
Identify hidden defects: Problems like outdated plumbing, water leaks behind walls, cracked foundations, and pest damage often go unnoticed by untrained eyes. An inspector can find these hidden defects.
Learn about maintenance needs: The report indicates upcoming maintenance needs like roof replacement, furnace service, and chimney repairs. This allows you to properly budget.
Peace of mind: Overall, a home inspection gives you assurance that your new home doesn’t contain unpleasant shocks. You can move forward with confidence in your purchase.
What to Look for in a Great Home Inspector
The best Massachusetts home inspectors have certain traits and skills in common. Seek out an inspector who:
- Has a long history of satisfied home buying customers
- Belongs to professional organizations like ASHI, InterNACHI, or NAHI
- Continues their inspection education and training each year
- Uses state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and tools
- Performs thorough, comprehensive inspections
- Gives practical priority repair advice
- Provides very detailed reports with supporting photos
- Takes the time to explain findings and answer all questions
- Focuses on safety issues and code compliance
- Conducts themselves professionally onsite
Additionally, consider an inspector who offers thermal imaging, radon testing, sewer scope camera, mold testing, and other specialized inspection services. Their expertise will give you extra assurance.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
To avoid choosing the wrong home inspector, be cautious if someone:
- Only carries basic liability insurance or lacks E&O insurance
- Isn’t certified by organizations like ASHI/InterNACHI/NAHI
- Has no references or online reviews available
- Claims to perform inspections in 1 hour or less
- Offers big discounts below the industry average
- Tries selling you additional repairs or services
- Makes sweeping claims about finding “all” hidden defects
- Goes directly against the recommendations in your inspector’s report
In these cases, it’s smart to get a second opinion on the home. Rushing through or making sweeping claims are major warning signs of poor quality inspections.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Inspection
Follow these tips to maximize the value of your Massachusetts home inspection:
Hire your own inspector independently. Don’t let real estate agents choose an inspector for you or provide a list. This leads to conflicts of interest.
Compare multiple inspectors. Get quotes from 3-5 inspectors before deciding. Compare experience, services, insurance, pricing, and responsiveness.
Attend the inspection yourself. Plan to be onsite during the inspection. Seeing the home through the inspector’s eyes is extremely informative.
Take notes and ask questions. Don’t be shy about asking the inspector to clarify or expand on any findings. These notes supplement your report.
Get a sewer scope. This allows the inspector to video check waste pipes for clogs, roots, leaks and other hidden problems. Very useful for older homes.
Request moisture meter testing. This helps detect water intrusion issues behind walls and ceilings before mold and rot develop.
Review the report carefully. Read the inspection report closely including the full remarks, not just the summary. Follow up with the inspector about any ambiguous points.
Prioritize repairs smartly. Use the inspector’s advice to distinguish immediate safety issues vs. maintenance that can wait. This will guide negotiations with the seller.
Being actively involved, asking questions, and communicating with your home inspector ensures you get the most out of the process.