When buying a home, home inspection is a very important step in the home buying process. It is like the home is getting a check-up by a doctor. If anything wrong is found, you can provide the medicine in the form of repairs. If you are unable to have the repairs performed, you simply lower the price of the home to compensate the new owner for having to take on the repairs.

It is important, however, that you find a home inspector who knows how to do their job. You want someone who is thorough so that you know the scope of the repairs that need to be done to the home.

Here are some questions to ask in order to find a home inspector who will get the job done right:

• What kind of training have you had? The answer to this question should include some sort of training. You don’t want just anyone who calls themselves a home inspector. You can ask if he or she is a member of the National Association of Home Inspectors or any other professional association.

• What kind of experience do you have? Experience is a good thing, although there are some newer inspectors that are great. That’s when you really focus on the training question. Experience will be evident because the inspector should know where to find common faults and where to find the components that he or she is to evaluate.

• What is the inspection’s scope? The inspector should have a checklist that they go by. Ask to see this checklist when they arrive at your home so that you have an idea of what they will be looking for. If anything strikes you as “off” you can decline the inspection before it starts.

• Can I be present during the inspection? You want to be present during the inspection so that you know the inspector is using his or her time to inspect the home. This gives you the assurance you need that the inspection is done right. Even though you may be handed a list with few faults, you ant to make sure that all faults are covered because you don’t want to find them later. If you are a seller, you don’t want the buyer coming back to you later. If you are the buyer, you don’t want the hassle.

Once you have your answers to these questions, you will know whether or not you have a quality home inspector to inspect your home or potential home.