Choosing an Inspector

Buying a home is likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make. With so much at stake, you can’t afford to skimp on any aspect of the home buying process—especially the home inspection. A quality home inspection helps uncover potential issues and provides crucial information to guide your decision. However, not all home inspectors are created equal.

In Wyoming and many other states, home inspectors are not required to obtain any licensing or certifications. This means the quality of inspections can vary wildly depending on the inspector’s training, experience, and standards. Hiring an unqualified or underqualified inspector is a risk you don’t want to take.

So how can you ensure you hire a qualified, competent home inspector? Look for these key qualifications:

1. Certifications and Training

Don’t just take an inspector’s word that they are properly trained. Verify their certifications through reputable organizations that have rigorous training and education requirements. Top certifications to look for include:

• Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)® from InterNACHI® - The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors sets the highest standards for home inspectors, including passing exams, completing extensive training courses, conducting mock inspections, adhering to standards of practice and ethics, and fulfilling continuing education.
• State-Licensed Inspector - Some states like Texas and New Jersey have licensing programs that involve training and an exam.
• American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Certified Inspector - ASHI certification involves training, testing, adhering to standards, and ongoing education.

2. Experience

In addition to credentials, experience performing actual home inspections is essential. More experienced inspectors have seen a wider variety of homes and issues. Look for inspectors that have:

• Performed hundreds or thousands of inspections over many years
• Experience inspecting homes of similar age, size, construction type as the one you are buying
• Specialized experience in areas of concern like older homes, homes with specific construction systems, etc.

3. Inspection Process and Reports

A quality inspector isn’t just someone who can spot issues, but who can effectively communicate their findings. Evaluate prospective inspectors by:

• Reviewing sample inspection reports to ensure they are detailed, easy to understand, and include photographs/videos
• Finding out what their typical inspection process entails in terms of areas covered, tests performed, duration, etc.
• Asking about their report delivery timeline and if they will walk you through findings

4. Professionalism and Service

A home inspection is a professional service, so you want to hire someone who operates as such. Look for inspectors who:

• Belong to reputable professional associations and have access to continuous education
• Carry proper licensing (where required) and insurance like errors & omissions (VERIDORN inspectors hold $1 million policies in E&O and Liability)
• Have testimonials/references from past clients
• Explain pricing upfront with no hidden fees
• Operate under a clear scope of work, code of ethics and standards
• Offer after-sale protections for peace of mind like our inspection warranty and our buy-back guarantee (if we miss something, we’ll buy the house back)

At VERIDORN, our inspectors hold the Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)® designation from InterNACHI® - the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. InterNACHI® sets the highest standards for inspection quality and professionalism. Their rigorous requirements ensure our inspectors have the knowledge, skills and ethical principles to provide exceptional service.

What sets InterNACHI inspectors apart?

Education & Exams

Before earning their CPI certification, InterNACHI® inspectors must pass a comprehensive online exam covering all aspects of home inspection. They also complete extensive online training courses on inspection methods, building systems, standards of practice, ethics, and more. Continuing education is mandatory to maintain certification.

Field Experience

New inspectors can’t just pay a fee and get certified. They must first conduct multiple mock inspections, with reports reviewed by experienced inspectors, before being approved to inspect for clients. This ensures they gain proper field experience before performing paid inspections.

Standards & Ethics

InterNACHI® has a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice that CPIs must follow. This guides proper inspection procedures and ethical conduct to ensure objective, thorough inspections working in the best interest of the client.

Comprehensive Inspections

The InterNACHI certification requirements cover all major components of a home - from structure to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roof, exteriors, interiors and more. This comprehensive training helps identify defects that others may miss.

When you choose VERIDORN, you get much more than just an adequate home inspection. Our InterNACHI® Certified Professional Inspectors provide a valuable professional service backed by the top standards, ethics, and training in the industry. We don’t just meet minimum requirements - we go above and beyond to make sure you have the information needed to make a smart home buying decision with confidence.