Whether you’re planning to settle down in your new, dream home or sell your old abode, it’s important to take your time conducting a thorough home inspection to ensure you’re getting what your investment’s worth without any hidden money pits that can surprisingly drain your pockets down the line.
As an example, getting an inspection beforehand can ensure you won’t get stuck with a leaky roof or faulty wiring that can be expensive to fix. In the same way, it’s equally important to make sure your home doesn’t have any deal-breaking issues that can negatively affect its resale value and ultimately leave you with a lower-than-expected return on your initial investment.
So whether the house is your first or your fifth, it’s important to remember that all the work you put into making your home a haven will be compromised if you sell it without getting an inspection first. But what happens if your home inspector missed a major problem in the end?
What To Do If Your Home Inspector Missed Something Big
If you’re thinking of filing a claim for a home inspection gone wrong, there are a few things to consider before taking any further action. For starters, it’s important that you go over your contract with the home inspector and thoroughly understand what your rights are.
If you know your contract offers a warranty period and you have reason to believe that your home inspector missed something big that could damage your home or belongings, then getting in touch with your home inspector’s office directly is the first step you should take.
Depending on the severity of the issue, your home inspector’s office may ask you to come in and discuss your concerns in person before making a decision on how to proceed. In other instances, you may need to send your home inspector’s office a formal complaint letter outlining your request for compensation and a detailed description of the problems you’re facing.
Be Sure to Document Important Information and Determine Your Liabilities
Once you’ve submitted your complaint, the home inspector’s office will take some time to conduct an investigation and talk to your property manager or realtor to confirm the specifics. Don’t underestimate the work involved in getting a home inspection claim settled.
To properly document the issue and back up your claim, you’ll need to take a thorough look at your home-inspection report and related documents. This will help you address the issue in your complaint letter and provide evidence to support your claim.
The Bottom Line: Ensuring You Make the Most of Your Home Inspector’s Services
It’s important to remember that home inspectors aren’t perfect, and though they’re trained to go through your home with a fine-toothed comb and look for virtually any issue that can be, they can and do sometimes miss something. This can be especially true in older homes where the inspector may not be as familiar with the age-related wear and tear that can occur or the potential problems that could arise.
In addition, home inspectors simply can’t spot something that isn’t there, such as a problem that could occur in the future. But in the rare case that it happens, it’s important to remember that not all home inspector errors have to be a deal-breaker.
How Can We Help You?
It’s important to conduct property inspections from licensed professionals you can trust! Ally Property Inspections have years of experience and extensive training in inspection services, so get in touch with us to see how our excellent property inspectors can provide high-quality house inspections in Birmingham, AL. Schedule an appointment with us today at (205) 607-0031, and let us help you move forward in your home buying journey with greater peace of mind.