Suppose you’re considering buying a home in Vancouver, Washington, or maybe you’re moving from Portland. In that case, you’ll want to have it inspected by a qualified home inspector to ensure there are no unexpected surprises after you sign on the dotted line. However, not every home inspector out there is qualified and professional, so it helps to do a bit of research before deciding on a particular candidate. To help you in your search, here is a list of the top Vancouver home inspectors.
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How to Find a Home Inspector in Vancouver – Tips and What to Look For
Before you start searching, you should know what to look for to determine whether your home inspector is legitimate. If this is your first time buying a home or you are unfamiliar with the inspection process, looking at all the options may be overwhelming. Consumer Reports and US News both provide excellent resources on how to choose the right Washington home inspector. Here are a few basic things to look for:
- Licensed and insured: Home inspectors in Washington State must be licensed by the Department of Licensing. There are no insurance requirements in Vancouver home inspections. However, it’s always a plus if they do have coverage. You can find a database of Washington licensed home inspectors on the official DOL website.
- Certified: Check their website to see if they also have any certifications from third-party organizations that show proficiency in a particular area of interest, such as paving or roof inspection certification.
- Trade-Organization Membership: It’s also helpful to check out whether the home inspector is a member of a trade organization such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).
- Experience: Look for mention of how long the company has been in business and how much experience they have dealing with the types of properties that are similar to your own. Vancouver home inspectors with more than 10 years of experience will likely come across almost everything, so they should take priority. Also, take note of whether they have previous experience in another industry, such as construction or a certain trade.
- Advanced training or additional certification: Find out if they have any advanced certification or training, such as an engineer’s license or chimney inspection certificate. Depending on the age and condition of the home, this may be critical.
- What’s included in the home inspection: Find out whether they offer any special services or tools to conduct the home inspection, such as using drones to check the roof’s condition.
- Sample report: You should request a sample report from every Vancouver home inspector for your interview to compare and contrast. A quality inspector will offer a long, detailed report that is clear and easy to understand, whereas a shoddy inspector will provide a report that may be rushed or purposefully vague.
- Good reviews from previous clients: Whenever looking for service professionals, you should always look for positive reviews from past clients on sites like Google and Yelp.
Before deciding on a particular company, you should also know what home inspectors look for. A Washington home inspection will include a detailed analysis of all the important aspects of a home, including the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, basement, HVAC, insulation, and interior/exterior elements such as windows, walls, and doors. They will also check for mold, pests, and other contagions.
Also, it’s important to watch for any conflicts of interest when researching Vancouver home inspectors. It’s often best to avoid getting a recommendation from your real estate agent unless you know them well, as agents sometimes receive kickbacks from home inspectors for recommending service. Plus, you should also avoid any inspectors who also do repairs for a similar reason.
45th Parallel Home Inspection – Fast and Efficient Vancouver Home Inspectors
- Address: 16420 SE McGillivray Blvd Ste 103 #681, Vancouver, WA 98683
- Phone Number: (360) 419-5544
45th Parallel are experienced home inspectors in Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR, offering basic inspections and ancillary services such as Radon testing, sewer inspections, stucco/stone veneer inspections, and moisture testing. They are fully licensed and insured and offer quick delivery (often same day), detailed reporting, and flexible scheduling. Many of their top inspectors hold advanced degrees in engineering and membership with both ASHI and InterNACHI. Plus, they have hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google, placing them among the top-rated home inspectors in Vancouver.
Bennett Home Inspections – Honest, Unbiased Washington Home Inspectors
- Address: Vancouver, WA 98684-0960
- Phone Number: (360) 635-1791
- Inspection Cost: Starts at $415
Bennett Home Inspections is a highly respected Washington home inspection company promising accurate and unbiased results. They offer comprehensive home inspections that analyze all the major areas of interest, including interiors, exteriors, foundations, plumbing, and electrical, as well as specialty services such as sewer scope, radon testing, water quality, and reinspections. The team at Bennett also holds a wide variety of certifications from reputable organizations such as ASHI, InterNACHI, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Nickelsen Home Inspections – A Family-Owned Vancouver Home Inspection Business
- Address: 705 SE Chkalov Dr, Vancouver, WA 98683
- Phone Number: (360) 356-1702
Nickelsen Home Inspections is a family-owned company offering a range of high-tech inspection services, including home, commercial and apartment inspections, sewer scope, energy scores, thermal imaging, radon testing, and more. The company has been in business for over 25 years and inspects over 1,500 properties annually. They are also members of both NACHI and InterNACHI and offer discounts to first-time home buyers. With dozens of raving testimonials and 5-star reviews on Google and Yelp, Nicklesen Home Inspectors are among Vancouver, WA’s most respected home inspectors.
Green Point Home Inspections – A Certified Washington Home Inspection Company
- Address: 705 SE Chkalov Dr, Vancouver, WA 98683
- Phone Number: (360) 990-8777
Green Point Home Inspections is an experienced home inspection company with over 8 years of experience serving Washington and Idaho. They have certifications from the American Home Inspector’s Institute and InterNACHI. They offer various inspection services, including pre-purchase inspection, pre-listing inspection, home maintenance inspections, and ancillary services like radon and water well testing and multi-family/commercial inspections. Plus, they promise easy-to-read reports and will happily answer all of your outstanding questions.
Details Home Inspections – A Vancouver Home Inspector Offering Fast, Reliable Reporting
- Address: Vancouver, WA 98684-0960
- Phone Number: (360) 823-3034
- Inspection Cost: $475 – $1075
Details Home Inspections is a reputable home inspection company serving Vancouver and Portland that promises quality, same-day reports. Following your inspection, you will receive a thorough report by email that is color coded and easily viewable on a computer, tablet, or phone. Detail was voted the Top 5 Home Inspectors by the Columbian from 2018 through 2021, and they also have certifications from top organizations like InterNACHI, AHIT, and the Department of Energy. They offer various residential and commercial inspection services, including new construction inspections, home energy assessments, pre-listing inspections, and radon and water quality testing. They are also certified to inspect manufactured homes and are up to date on all the standards set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
WIN Home Inspection – A Well-Respected, Professional Vancouver Home Inspection Company
- Address: 13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd Ste C8 311, Vancouver, Washington, 98684,
- Phone Number: (360) 883-0299
WIN Home Inspection is a highly-rated home inspection company serving all Vancouver neighborhoods that offer personalized inspection services for homes, condos, duplexes, townhomes, manufactured homes, and more. All their inspectors are qualified and highly trained and receive ongoing education to stay on the latest trends in the industry. They offer a one-stop solution covering all your home inspection needs, including full home inspections, radon testing, infrared scans, sewer scope inspections, and more. Customers will receive a detailed, easy-to-read report after the home inspection within 24 hours. Plus, they are fully licensed by Washington State and feature 120+ positive reviews on Google that boast their experience and professionalism.
Touchstone Inspections – An Experience Home Inspection Company Offering Unbiased Results
- Address: 16420 SE Mcgillivray blvd, suite 103-304, Vancouver, WA 98683-3461
- Phone Number: (971)444-5606
Touchstone Inspections is a Vancouver Home Inspection company founded by Mark Zwicker, a construction professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. The company is fully licensed, bonded, and insured to work in both Washington and Oregon and offers a variety of essential home inspection services, including home inspections, radon testing, airborne mold testing, structural pest inspections, thermal imaging, and more. They also have certifications in many essential fields, including residential property, chimney, plumbing, mold, electrical and septic inspection. Touchstone promises fast, reliable service and a dedication to professionalism that is unmatched in the industry, and their many positive reviews speak to their quality and experience.
Map of Home Inspectors in Vancouver, WA
Vancouver Home Inspection FAQ
Who pays for the home inspection in Vancouver, WA?
In most cases, the buyer will pay for the home inspection in Vancouver because they’re the ones who any structural issues will impact. However, some home inspectors offer pre-sale inspections for sellers who want to know about any problems before listing the property.
How much does a home inspection cost in Vancouver, WA?
The exact cost of a home inspection will vary depending on the size of the home and whether ancillary services are required. However, prices start around $400 and go up to about $1100.
What does a home inspector do?
Home inspectors will verify the structural integrity of a home and analyze all its essential systems, then provide a report to the customer detailing their findings.
Ready to buy your dream home in Vancouver, WA? Trust our team of experienced Vancouver movers to make the journey as easy as possible. Call 503-746-8795 or fill out the form on our website to request a free quote.