Before the inspection

Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector

Choosing an inspector is not only about a price or an available time. It is also about the written scope, report quality, independence, and whether the provider can explain what the service will and will not answer.

What controls the scope?

Ask which agreement and standard of practice define the inspection. Request a chance to review the agreement before the appointment rather than discovering major exclusions after the visit.

What property types and optional services are supported?

A provider should distinguish ordinary residential scope from a special property type or optional system. Confirm that the agreement and report support any added service.

How are limitations documented?

Ask how inaccessible, unsafe, shut-down, or excluded areas appear in the report and what options exist if an important area later becomes accessible.

What does the report look like?

A sample may help when it is real, current, redacted, and approved. Look for clear locations, photographs, limitations, and recommendations—not only a short summary.

What follow-up is available?

Confirm how report questions are handled and whether a separately priced return visit may be available when conditions change. Do not assume unlimited consulting or reinspection is included.

How are conflicts handled?

Ask whether findings create any financial interest in repair work. C&G keeps inspection and contracting separate and cannot offer or perform repairs on a property it inspected during the previous 12 months.

Can credentials and insurance statements be verified?

Request current evidence and exact public wording rather than relying on an unsupported badge or broad claim. The relevant organization or insurer should be identifiable where appropriate.

What are the expected timing and price?

Confirm the quote, payment expectations, appointment window, report-delivery expectation, and factors that could change them. A website request is not an appointment until accepted.

Takeaway

Ask for the written scope and evidence behind important claims before relying on them.

Educational-use notice: This guide is general education. It does not replace the signed inspection agreement, a property-specific inspection or report, or advice from an appropriately licensed or qualified professional.

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