Home inspections aren’t always a one-and-done deal. There are times where it may make sense to hire a licensed contractor for a second opinion. The reasons differ a little between buyers and sellers, but these are some cases that might call for a second opinion on an inspection.

Why buyers may need a second inspection

If you’ve already made an offer and got an inspection, it may be worth getting a second opinion if:

  • The report is missing obvious issues around the home. For example, if you spot a leak in your plumbing and the initial inspection doesn’t mention this, it’s worth getting a second opinion for the sake of documentation – and for uncovering other issues the first inspection may have glossed over.
  • The report isn’t detailed enough. Even if you don’t notice any glaringly obvious discrepancies in the report and what you see around the home, there’s sometimes reason to believe an inspection cut some corners. Maybe your first inspection felt rushed — according to The Spruce, the average home inspection takes about two to three hours (or longer for larger homes, particularly those above 2,000 square feet). And if they didn’t test appliances or go into the attic for the crawlspace, you’ll know for sure that there’s room for improvement for your next inspection.
  • The seller got their own inspection and then made repairs that your inspector should look at. Let’s say the seller’s inspection found damage to the home’s foundation, and the seller then had this damage repaired. Did they do a good enough job repairing it? A second inspection can help double check.
  • You need a specific kind of expert. There’s generally a lot that a home inspector can do for you, but different inspectors will have different added credentials. Take me, for example — I’m not licensed to test for asbestos, but I am licensed to look for termites. If you were worried about termites and your first inspection didn’t cover that, I’d be able to offer a qualified second opinion.

Why sellers may need a second inspection

An initial pre-listing inspections can help out sellers in a few ways, but some may want to get a second opinion if:

  • You made repairs at the buyer’s request and want to make sure they’re up to inspection standards. Just like they might want an inspection to check your work, you can get ahead of things by having a second inspection yourself.
  • The buyer’s home inspection has inaccuracies, especially if they affect the value of the home. If their inspection report claims more severe damage than you think your home really has, it could be worth contesting this with your own inspection. However, be prepared for a second opinion to confirm the first one if the actual damage is genuinely worse than you estimated. Even in this scenario, though, you’ll still have the opportunity to get the damage repaired.

If you’re on Long Island and looking for a second opinion on a home inspection (or a first opinion), I can help! Feel free to reach out to me today.