Why Do States Require A Home Inspector License?

There are several important reasons to hire the services and expertise of a home inspector. The most common is the prospective buyer’s need to know what defects or flaws exist in a home that is being considered for purchase. Sellers also will have their homes inspected prior to placing them on the market. This gives them a heads up on the potential problems that the buyer’s inspection will uncover. With early information on the home’s status, the seller can choose to fix the problems before listing or reduce the asking price. The third reason for a home inspection is the homeowner’s desire to protect his investment. Early detection of potential problems saves a lot of money and headaches down the road. That is why it is important that the inspector possess a home inspector license.

Professional Standard for Home Inspectors

A home inspector license is a practical measure that insures there is a professional standard that applies to home inspection in general and inspectors in particular. Requiring licensing also protects the homeowner or prospective buyer from properties being inspected by unqualified inspectors. Maintaining a high standard by requiring a home inspector license is essential for something as important as a dwelling.

Maintaining the Professional Standard

Maintaining a professional standard by requiring licensing helps the home inspection industry and the consumer. Without standardization, there is no minimum requirement that a home inspector must meet when an inspection is done. Having a uniform procedure that everyone understands helps the homeowner realize the value of the inspection and what areas of the home will be checked. Knowing that the home inspector has gone through the training to obtain a home inspector license assures the consumer that a true professional is inspecting the property. Another benefit to this standardization is the credibility it lends to the report. Both the buyer and seller can trust the results when the home inspector carries a home inspector license.

Home Inspector Licensing Increases Inspection Quality

Requiring every home inspector in the state to go through the procedure to get a home inspector license insures quality. The areas of the home checked by a home inspector can harbor serious defects. If an unqualified home inspector is doing the work, important flaws may be missed. Not being trained to notice the beginnings of moisture and drainage problems can have serious repercussions for the buyer who later will face major home repairs. A home inspector is assessing significant areas of the home such as the furnace and air-conditioning, the roof and foundation. This type of critical assessment should only be left in the hands of an inspector who has a home inspector license.

State Responsibility for Home Inspectors

A home is most people’s greatest asset. It shelters human life and should be free from major defects, especially those that risk the health and safety of the occupants. A home inspector is responsible for passing judgment on how well the house measures up in several important areas. States that take this responsibility seriously safeguard their citizens by requiring that these professionals to qualify for a home inspector license.