| Choosing a home inspector is an important | | | | something you might want to ask them before |
| decision as part of your house buying process. A | | | | you hire them. |
| good company will have and use good equipment | | | | An electrical circuit tester is great for checking for |
| for the job. The tools they use can be an | | | | loose wiring, a loose ground wire or any other |
| indication of the professionalism of his work. | | | | electrical faults. The last thing you want to see is |
| Just ask your home inspector what kind of tools | | | | your inspector touching an electrical box to see if |
| he will be using to examine your house. If he has | | | | it is grounded or not. You may be surprised but |
| the proper tools he should not be embarrassed to | | | | this happens quite often. |
| show them to you. Not every one of them is | | | | Electrical problems can be life threatening. Over |
| going to have every one of these tools. But he | | | | half the properties we check have electrical |
| should certainly have more than just a flashlight, a | | | | problems. It is important to have the proper |
| tape measure and a ladder. | | | | equipment to check these things. Gas detectors |
| To start off with, the company should have a | | | | are very important. I know some people say that |
| reliable inspection vehicle. The vehicle should be | | | | they can smell gas with their nose. What happens |
| clean and look good. If a company is professional | | | | if the person looking at your house just happens |
| they will want their vehicles to present this image. | | | | to have a cold or allergies that day? |
| An obvious tool that professionals have is a | | | | Another great detector to have is a carbon |
| flashlight, actually several of them. Ask if he has | | | | monoxide detector. For one, it's a great tool to |
| an extra one so you can get involved and see | | | | protect me while performing your services. And |
| what they are looking for. They should not mind | | | | secondly this poisonous gas may be found in |
| and they should welcome the fact that you are | | | | residences. Carbon monoxide poisoning will give |
| interested. | | | | you flu-like symptoms or even worse, carbon |
| Measuring tapes are always carried when these | | | | monoxide poisoning can kill you. Some properties |
| services are performed. He might even let you | | | | have carbon monoxide detectors in them but |
| borrow one so you can measure something like | | | | many houses do not. If you do not have one in |
| curtains or maybe you need to see if a piece of | | | | yours please get one. This is a life-saving tool and |
| furniture will fit or not. It doesn't hurt to ask. | | | | it costs less than a pair of tennis shoes. What is |
| Ladders are a necessary piece of equipment. How | | | | your or your family's life worth? |
| else are they going to get on your roof? | | | | You should know about the tools that are used |
| Screwdrivers are also a must and they come in | | | | so that you do not hire someone that is not |
| various sizes and types. | | | | qualified to do a good job for you. Your home is |
| Ask your home inspector if he is carrying a digital | | | | your castle so protect it by investing in a quality |
| camera. He should. This is a very important piece | | | | inspection. You should have an understanding of |
| of equipment. He should be showing you pictures | | | | why it is important that the company you hire |
| after they do the property examination. These | | | | has the proper tools to inspect your house. |
| pictures should be included in your report. This is | | | | |