A home inspector’s take on the evolution of the industry

By Published On: November 23rd, 2015Categories: Home Inspection Career Guide, News0 Comments

Those who think the home inspection industry hasn’t changed much over the years, might change their minds after reading a recent article in the Port Huron (Mich.) Times Herald. The piece gives a quick overview of just how much the business has evolved in the past 30+ years.

In the article, Mitchell Kuffa, Jr., a licensed builder and home inspector in St. Clair, Mich., discusses ways his business has changed and grown since the early 1980s. In the article, “Home inspection changes,” Kuffa highlights five types of experiences — in addition to the regular private home inspection — that led him to adapt his business to the needs of his clients. They are:

• The problem assessment inspection — checking a single problem instead of performing an entire inspection

• The expert witness home inspection service — testifying in homeowner/contractor litigation cases

• The multiple living unit inspection — such as those requested by homeowner associations and resident management groups

• HUD/FHA inspections — identify health and safety concerns; categorize the items and apply an approximate cost to repair for each

• The punch list inspection — lists shortcomings of vacant homes

A more recent trend, Kuffa noted, is the home sellers inspection. Consumers are becoming more savvy when it comes to real estate. They know that to get top dollar, they need to ensure that their homes have as few problems as possible before listing. It just makes sense to have a home inspection done, as explained in an article on moneypit.com. According to “Home inspection tips for sellers,” one of the smartest things sellers can do is hire their own home inspector to go through the home before it goes on the market. Now that home inspection services are in demand by both buyers and sellers, it would seem the industry has come full circle in three decades.

About the Author: Kristin Warner

Kristin is the Marketing Director at AHIT. She has authored content for numerous real estate brands, and managed corporate communications for a public real estate company. She is passionate about the home inspection and real estate industries, and loves digging into research to provide insights that empower home inspectors and real estate agents in their businesses.