Home Inspector Recommendations (Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta: houses, home inspection, maintenance)

[Smokipenelope]

Hi Everyone -

I was wondering if people would be willing to pass on the names/information for home inspectors they've used and recommend? I've found a few threads where people talk about having had great inspectors but haven't been able to find a company name or the individuals name. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

SP

[George Chong]

I would recommend House Smarts. I have used the following inspectors in the past and they are all excellent: Matt {mod removed}, Justin {removed} and Jeff {removed}: Please don't post full names in the public forum. Use private messages to relay info/names you recommend.
House Smart - Home Inspector in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Canton & Woodstock

[seyfun]

I must say that I was very impressed by John {removed: Please don't post full names in the public forum. Use private messages to relay info/names you recommend.
} from House Smart. He did a mandated re-inspection of my place and he pointed out a number of things the previous two (idiot) inspectors had missed. He spent three hours going over the entire house, including all over the roof.

[Trishgal]

I would highly recommend Champia. There are home inspectors and there are those who claim to be home inspectors. As a fairly new Realtor, I've learned a great deal from training classes held by this company's inspectors and would recommend them to my children, my parents, my friends and my clients. They would be my first choice (especially Thor!) if I personally needed home inspection services. Naturally, being in this business, I've heard some horror stories and surely wouldn't want them to ever happen to any of my loved ones!

Hope this helps! Just Google Champia for the info you need.

[ITP_woohoo]

Go to Kudzu.com and look at the review for the home inspectors. Call them up and interview them. Make sure that they are willing to go to every nook and cranny of the house (crawlspace, attic, roof). The competent ones will be able to give you an accurate quote as well as give you samples of their inspection reports. Nowadays, you should expect them to provide you a hard copy as well as an online version of the report so you can easily share it with others (your agent).

[Jennifer1956]

I would strongly advise against using kudzu when looking for a home inspector. We used Medallion Inspections which is rated the highest on kudzu. They missed and/or misrepresented many things and we ended up spending over $5,000 just reparing the things they missed not to mention the things that cannot be fixed cheaply such as sagging and sloping floors. The problem with kudzu is that all you need to write a review on that site is an email address. I could sign up for an unlimited number of email addresses right now and post my reviews on kudzu just to promote my company. I have used kudzu so far when finding a home inspector, a plumber and a vet and they were all horrible ( all with highest ratings on kudzu). Ask people you know or ask realtors who deal with home inspectors on a daily basis.

[Kuya]

I highly recommend Fidelity Home Inspections, whom I learned of from this board. You can ask for John, who is very knowledgeable, explains his findings during the inspection, and very much by the book. I knew he was a good find when the seller's realtor, with almost 20 years experience, commented on how thorough his findings were. In addition, Fidelity sends follow-up maintenance newsletters that cover everything from your foundation to breakers. Since I'm a noob to home maintenance and repairs, I actually read them However, just don't take anyone's word, please do your homework! After doing some research on home inspectors earlier this year, I was surprised Georgia doesn't have stricter guidelines:

Georgia Trade practice act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994. Georgia law requires home inspectors to provide written documents containing certain information with regard to inspections. This written document must include the scope of the inspection, including the structural elements and systems to be inspected, that the inspection is a visual inspection, and that the home inspector will notify, in writing, the person on whose behalf such inspection is being made of any defects noted during the inspection.

County Law requires A $90.00 business license

Basically, all a person would need is a business license and written documentation of the inspection, which can be something as simple as a form with check boxes.

Good luck with your search!

[nitehauler]

Originally Posted by Kuya

I highly recommend Fidelity Home Inspections, whom I learned of from this board. You can ask for John, who is very knowledgeable, explains his findings during the inspection, and very much by the book. I knew he was a good find when the seller's realtor, with almost 20 years experience, commented on how thorough his findings were. In addition, Fidelity sends follow-up maintenance newsletters that cover everything from your foundation to breakers. Since I'm a noob to home maintenance and repairs, I actually read them However, just don't take anyone's word, please do your homework! After doing some research on home inspectors earlier this year, I was surprised Georgia doesn't have stricter guidelines:

Georgia Trade practice act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994. Georgia law requires home inspectors to provide written documents containing certain information with regard to inspections. This written document must include the scope of the inspection, including the structural elements and systems to be inspected, that the inspection is a visual inspection, and that the home inspector will notify, in writing, the person on whose behalf such inspection is being made of any defects noted during the inspection.

County Law requires A $90.00 business license

Basically, all a person would need is a business license and written documentation of the inspection, which can be something as simple as a form with check boxes.

Good luck with your search!

I have the desire to become a home inspector. So to start I searched out the best courses. Far as I can tell in GA anyone can be a home inspector but the best ones are the ones that take the time to learn the trade.
Having good sound morals with attention to details is a must too.