The home inspection field is infamous for having many lawsuits, even when a home inspector is not at fault for any problems which may have occurred. Even the very best of home inspectors are sued, and they need to protect themselves and their businesses with home inspector insurance in case this happens. There are measures they can take in addition to having home inspector insurance to protect themselves.
Being educated and certified in the home inspection field, and using consistent, industry standard wording can avoid a lawsuit. This helps the homeowner understand a home inspector’s opinion of the condition of the home. A signed and dated agreement and discussions with the homeowner can also shield a home inspector from legal action. Pictures are a great way to document the condition of a home during the inspection. They can be a permanent part of an inspection report, and are an excellent representation of a home’s condition at the time of the inspection.
Homeowners must realize that some problems cannot be recognized at the time of a home inspection. For example, if moisture and leakage occur in a basement only during heavy rains or thaws, an inspector could not detect this during a dry period. Home inspectors give a visual examination, and they do not take apart systems, nor do they remove carpeting or furniture. They do not perform invasive or destructive tests because a home inspector is a generalist, and their job is to give an overall assessment of the condition of a home.
Unfortunately, if a homeowner does not understand this, they can hold the inspector responsible. Home inspector insurance is necessary to protect a business in these situations. Home inspectors should itemize what is not included in a home inspection to help the homeowner fully understand the service provided, and to know what to expect, and what not to expect. Communicating with the customer on all levels always enhances understanding, and could avoid conflicts.
