When it comes to home inspections, it's important to remember that the inspector's job is to provide an unbiased assessment of the property. While they can provide a list of suggested repairs, they cannot provide estimates for repair work or recommend contractors. This is because it places them in an uncomfortable and potentially unethical position. Instead, it's best to ask your realtor for help in finding a trustworthy contractor.
Professional home inspectors must separate their inspection services from their own financial interests, so they are prohibited from performing repair work on a home they have inspected. This is usually for a period of one year after the inspection has been completed, but laws vary by state. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) specifically prohibits activities that appear to compromise the integrity of the inspector, including not repairing, replacing, or improving any inspected property or its systems for one year after the date of the inspection. It's important to note that once the inspector finishes his job, whether on behalf of the buyer or seller, he's no longer part of the homebuying process. Smart realtors often add an inspection contingency that allows the buyer time to hire a home inspector and review the inspection report before the contract becomes binding. This ensures that buyers and sellers are protected.
A good inspector will look at anything out of the ordinary that can be easily seen, so the list of suggested repairs is sometimes extensive. When all of the above happens, a new inspection by the original inspector is probably not necessary, but it can still be worthwhile. It is natural for the buyer or seller of the home, in the case of a pre-sale inspection, to go to the home inspector for help. However, because it's understandable that the seller is about to move and wants to streamline the process as much as possible, he may not act with due diligence when selecting a contractor to carry out the work. Many buyers and sellers don't know that inspectors can't complete home repairs, so you'll have to tell them nicely. To ensure that you get quality work done on your property, it's best to ask your realtor for recommendations from reputable contractors once you've received your inspection report.
