This site maintained by Steve Gladstone,
Stonehollow, Inc.Please contact us directly if you experience
any difficulty while using its pages and resources
Choosing A Home
Inspector
We recommend that you call on an inspector who has experience
inspecting homes in your area, one who has experience with homes
of similar age and construction technique as the one you are looking
at, and one who is a Member of The American Society of Home Inspectors
("ASHI").
ASHI qualifications are based on experience and educational requirements. Their
Members are required to pass a very difficult and comprehensive exam, have
completed over 250 fee paid professional inspections and who must maintain
on-going continuing educational credits annually to remain members.
A strict Code of Ethics must be followed to maintain membership. This offers
the home buyer an inspection without fear of conflict of interest or lack
of objectivity. No home inspector should offer contracting services as part
of his inspection. The Standards of Practice of ASHI are the internationally
accepted Standard for the Industry.
Costs of Inspections vary, but this area usually reflects minimum costs for
inspections for homes in the $450.00 range plus testing, and often reflects
higher fees based on the size, price, age, and conditions of the home. Additional
fees for Radon Testing, Termite Inspections, Water, Lead, and Asbestos can
all raise the fees... but as we are all more focused in regard to potential
hazards and environmental issues, the Home Inspector now has to address more
areas of critical concern then ever before... including concerns about lead
paint, environmental issues, and buried fuel tanks.
The critical issue is not whether the Inspections should be done, but by whom.
Most referrals come from Realtors and Attorneys, and many from word of mouth.
Some from advertising in the yellow pages and brochures. Ask
for an inspector who will look carefully at the home and focus on your concerns.
Ask about the scope of the inspection. Its typical length and the format
of his report. To assure you of the value you will receive for your money,
you should question the inspector before you engage him, and feel comfortable
with his style and the services he or she offers.
Try to attend the inspection so you can be a part of the process. Have your
questions and concerns answered. And try not to have distractions at the
time of the inspection pull your attention away from the task at hand. Try
not to bring the kids, conduct tours for the relatives, or measure the rooms
at that time. Focus on the inspection and the information you need to know
about the home.
The money you spend carefully investigating your new home may save you thousands,
but more importantly, the inspection process should reassure you that this
house is the right one for your family's happy future! Happy
House Hunting!
Stephen Gladstone is the Owner and President
of Stonehollow, Inc. Fine Homes Inspections.
He was ASHI's National 2004 President and sat on
the National Board of Directors for over 11 years. He is a Contributor and Editor
to various National Publications. He has been a home inspector
since 1983 and a member of ASHI since 1986. He received his Masters
Degree from L.I. University and a 6-year degree from the University
of Bridgeport. He teaches continuing education classes for realtors,
appraisers and home inspectors and is a highly respected lecturer
and radio personality. He has had a tremendously popular weekly
radio program for the past six years in Norwalk Ct. He resides
in Stamford.
