Not All Home Inspections Are Made Equal

by Zoe Eisenburg

A home inspection is a crucial component of making a smart home-buying decision. According to Jay Gregg, director of marketing for Pillar To Post, not all home inspections are equal. Gregg, who has experience in home inspections, sales marketing and as a previous Pillar To Post franchisee, believes Pillar To Post inspections are the most detailed in the industry.

Pillar To Post takes measures many other companies do not in order to ensure clientele understanding and satisfaction. “We prefer to have the client present [at the inspection] if possible, which is the difference between a lot of competitors who prefer not to have that distraction,” says Gregg. Pillar To Post inspectors find that having the client present allows them to answer any questions and concerns directly, while still on-site. A typical home inspection lasts around three hours, and can cover as many as 1,600 items, including windows, doors, ceilings, basements, attics, roofs and more—so clients are bound to have questions that are easily answered with the inspector still present.

While many home inspection companies offer only handwritten notes at the end of the inspection process, Pillar To Post inspectors—who are required to complete an intensive two-week training course that includes a combination of both classroom and in-field training—end every inspection by printing off a computer generated report.

“We take the time at the end of the inspection to print the report and walk the client through it,” says Gregg, “so now they are educated about the house, and if they have more questions, you can go and show them right then and there.”

This report, which features color photographs, is included in a binder for the client to keep. A filing system for bills is also included in the binder, and a copy of the printed report can be emailed to the client in PDF form. The binder contains vital information about the property, including the age of the house and roof, any major deficiencies and maintenance suggestions, as well as a cost estimate guide that shows the national average cost for any type of necessary renovation. A seasonal maintenance checklist is also included, and the inspector takes the time to show the client the main shut offs, including gas, water and electric. “The inspector will tag the shut off right then and there so that the client feels comfortable and acquainted with the property,” says Gregg.

According to Gregg, after a Pillar To Post home inspection, clients will be able to make a more informed buying decision. They will have a better feel for the property and know exactly what they are taking on, allowing them to budget for future expenses and benefit from maintenance suggestions. “The home inspections can definitely improve buyer confidence,” Gregg confirms.

At the same time, the inspections can benefit the seller. “Presale inspections are a growing trend,” says Gregg, who continues to note that more and more sellers are getting inspections so that they are aware of any issues and can price the home accordingly. Plus, the cost guide that Pillar To Post provides allows sellers to understand what maintenance issues they are facing, and enables them to decide if they would rather fix them or reduce the cost of the home.

For more information, visit www.pillartopost.com.