Venice • North Port • Wellen Park • Sarasota • Englewood • Nokomis •Port Charlotte • Punta Gorda • Bradenton
Today’s PHW Inspections Question: When purchasing a home in the Sarasota area, who should I get contractor recommendations from?
In my experience I have found it may be more beneficial for home buyers to get contractor recommendations from their Realtor more so than their Home Inspector, each can provide valuable insights and expertise but it is a question of knowing the contractors reputation, quality of work and then there is always the code of ethics.
A Realtor may have a network of trusted contractors that they or their colleagues have worked with in the past, and they can recommend those contractors to the home buyer. These contractors may have a good reputation in the Sarasota area, and the realtor may have firsthand experience working with them on previous transactions and can validate quality of work as the Realtor typically sees the end product.
While a home inspector can provide a professional assessment of the condition of the home and identify any areas that may need repairs or upgrades. Based on their inspection report, they may not be able to recommend specific contractors who have experience with the types of repairs needed for the home but generally do not see the completed project to validate the quality of the contractors’ work.
Home Inspectors adhere to a “Code of Ethics” to help prevent conflict of interest. One potential conflict of interest arises when the home inspector also offers repair services or has a financial relationship with contractors who do. In such cases, the inspector may have an incentive to identify more issues than necessary in order to generate more business for their repair services or contractors. This can lead to unnecessary repairs and expenses for the home buyer.
To avoid these conflicts of interest, it’s important to do your due diligence when hiring a home inspector. Look for inspectors who are certified by reputable organizations, such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). These organizations have standards of practice and codes of ethics that their members are required to follow, which can help ensure impartiality in the inspection process.
In summary, both realtors and home inspectors can provide valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to finding contractors for home repairs or renovations in Sarasota. Your Realtor may have a little more insight into the quality and reputation of the contractors and their work. As for the Home Inspector, it’s important to be aware of potential conflicts of interest that may arise. By doing your research and asking the right questions, you can help ensure that your Home Inspector is impartial and that you make an informed decision when purchasing a home.
