Missouri

Missouri Home Inspector

It’s every new homeowner’s worst nightmare… that your beautiful new home revealed soon after purchase is actually full of costly, inconvenient and even hazardous defects. A Missouri home inspection can help new home buyers avoid this scenario, and can identify potential problem areas for homeowners placing their home on the market. Missouri home inspectors give homeowners peace of mind as home inspections can save prospective homebuyers thousands of dollars. Before contacting a Missouri home inspector, there are some things you should know.

A home inspector evaluates the condition of existing infrastructure. Think of it as a physical exam for your property, the home inspection is meant to give you a snapshot of the current health of the house. A Missouri home inspector will look for signs of damage, structural inconsistency, fire hazards and other system faults. For example, a home inspection may reveal signs of water damage, cracks in a retaining wall, or even a driveway that slopes back toward the house, causing water to pool at the foundation.

Within Missouri, there are no universal guidelines for home inspections, so some may be more comprehensive than others. A home inspection is not an appraisal or a municipal inspection, so a home inspector will not estimate the value of your home or confirm its adherence to local codes.

Missouri home inspections are not regulated by the state, and home inspectors currently are not legally obligated to be licensed, nor is there a state licensing board. In 2009, however, Representative Mike Parson sponsored House Bill 1189 which would require home inspectors to be licensed by the Division of Professional Registration. The legislation has been referred to the Special Standing Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing. If passed, the bill will be effective January 2010. There are many skilled and professional home inspectors; however, since Missouri home inspectors are unregulated, please be sure to use the appropriate caution when hiring for your home inspection. While not regulated by the state, Missouri home inspectors can be credentialed by one of the national professional home inspector associations. These associations ensure that the home inspector has undergone training for home inspection.

A home inspection is an invaluable service to any homeowner buying or selling a house. As professionals, home inspectors are your first line of defense against unwanted surprises. Homeowners selling their house can increase their appeal by ensuring that all potential issues are known and investigated prior to entering negotiations. Similarly, home buyers can feel secure knowing they aren't buying a lemon. Purchasing a new home should be an exciting time; Missouri home inspectors help to ensure that excitement stays with you.