For most people, buying a home is the single most important transaction they will ever make. Far too often, home buyers make a mistake by choosing the wrong home inspector. And sometimes, home buyers will make the ultimate mistake and choose no home inspector at all. In fact, this happens in 20% of all real estate transactions.
However, those home buyers who have done their due diligence quickly learn that just choosing a home inspector is not enough. Choosing the right home inspector is what they are striving for. But, what defines the “right” home inspector? Price alone is not the sole factor that should be considered. In reality, the cost of an inspection is minute in comparison to the actual cost of the real estate transaction. As a buyer, it is common to look for the best deal. But the best deal isn’t always the cheapest deal.
Certified Home Inspectors
Certified Inspectors are highly educated individuals who earn their fees many times over. They know more, they do more, and the advice they offer can mean the difference between making a great real estate decision or making the worst decision of your life.
The Cumberland Inspection team is made up of InterNACHI Certified Inspectors. Why is that important? Because InterNACHI is the only Inspector Training Program in America that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, the criteria for becoming and staying an InterNACHI-Certified Inspector is beyond any other organization in business today.
Requirements for InterNACHI Inspectors
InterNACHI Inspectors are held to stringent criteria. They are required to:
- Pass InterNACHI’s Online Inspector Examination. They must also re-take and pass it every three years (it’s free and open to everyone, and free to re-take)
- Complete InterNACHI’s online Code of Ethics Course (free to take after joining, and self-paced)
- Take InterNACHI’s online Standards of Practice Course (free to take after joining, and self-paced)
- Submit a signed Membership Affidavit
- Substantially adhere to InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice
- Abide by InterNACHI’s Code of Ethics
- Submit four mock inspection reports to InterNACHI’s Report Review Committee (for free) before performing their first paid home inspection for a client if the candidate has never performed a fee-paid home inspection previously
Within the first year of membership, InterNACHI Inspectors have to successfully pass the following free online, accredited, and self-paced courses and exams:
- InterNACHI’s “Safe Practices for the Home Inspector” course
- InterNACHI’s “25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know” course
- InterNACHI’s “Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Roof Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect HVAC Systems” course
- InterNACHI’s “Structural Issues for Home Inspectors” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Exterior Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Deck Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves, and Chimneys” course
Additionally, InterNACHI Inspectors:
- Pursue inspection-related training by taking 24 hours of additional accredited Continuing Education each year
- Maintain their Online Continuing Education Log (free), per InterNACHI’s rigorous Continuing Education policy
- Have access to InterNACHI’s Message Board for exchanging information and tips with colleagues and experts
- Have access to InterNACHI’s “What’s New” section so that they can keep up with the latest news and events in the inspection industry
- Have access to InterNACHI’s time-tested Inspection Agreement, which keeps them (and you) away from lawsuits
- Have access to InterNACHI’s Report Review/Mentoring Service
- Have to carry E&O Insurance (if their state requires it)
- Have access to a real estate agent Hold-Harmless Clause
- Have access to many other benefits, training, marketing tools and information to help themselves, as well as consumers and real estate professionals, provided for free by the world’s largest inspector association
Cobb County Home Inspections
Cumberland Inspection Services is a team of certified mold, commercial, and residential inspectors in Cobb County and beyond. To speak to an InterNACHI-Certified home inspection team, learn about us, or schedule an inspection, contact us at 470-892-4333 today.