Being a property inspector is tough business. There are tons of guidelines to follow, as well as the responsibility of recruiting and maintaining a satisfied client base. No one wants to witness the process become even more difficult, especially when complications are caused by inappropriate communication between professionals and consumers. It’s essential for both those who conduct home assessments and those who benefit from these services to understand business-related boundaries.

Don’t Mention Rates until the End of an Inquiry

The initial interview between a client and a property inspector can be stressful for both parties. Try not to add to the pressure by complicating the general etiquette that defines this process. You don’t need to bring up pricing or your expectations concerning your budget until at the end. This is because it’s generally more important to find out the professional’s expertise and the way they conduct business.

Cheaper is never better anyway. You’ll end up with more out-of-pocket expenses if you hire the most inexpensive option (who’s also usually less experienced) and then, have to rehire a more skilled individual to catch what was overlooked or wrongly assessed. Find someone who’s meticulous and well-informed, rather than taking the miserly route. Remember these types of professionals are bound to be the cream of the crop in their field that make use of the latest developments, such as savvy inspection apps, and can offer a wealth of valuable information.  Essentially, you’ll have little to no regrets.

Don’t Make Comparisons in Hopes of Lowering the Price

You may be a consumer who’s mastered the art of negotiation. Still, be careful when it comes to bargaining attempts with an individual who’s potentially being picked to survey your property. Some people think that comparing the strengths of potential hires to that of other inspectors will cause the professional being interviewed to cave in and lower their prices out of desperation to seal the deal. Consider what happens if the inspector doesn’t bite the bait. Ultimately, you’ll be right back at square one without the help of what could’ve been the best business choice for your needs.

Never Ask Inspectors to Make Repairs

Professionals in this industry are trained to unbiasedly determine the condition of residential properties. That said, don’t expect them to turn into Mr. or Ms. Do-It-Yourselfs. In fact, you should be wary of inspectors who give unfounded advice on how to repair a faulty component or those who take it upon themselves to make adjustments. These actions do more harm than good because individuals in this division are only qualified to give you feedback on what needs fixing and not how it needs to be fixed.

“You’re Not Doing it Right”

Let’s face the facts. If you knew how to effectively carry out a home inspection, you wouldn’t have hired a professional to do it for you. Keep this in mind when you object to the way things are being handled during the process. It’s perfectly normal to have questions, but when in doubt, kindness goes a long way. Ask nicely and give the inspector a chance to thoroughly explain why they made a certain decision when surveying your property.