Why Hire Anderson Home Inspection?
We hear these questions several times a week:
- Why should I hire Anderson Home Inspection?
- What’s the advantage of you and your reports over other inspectors?
Our advice is simple:
Evaluate credentials and experience.
- Credentials help home buyers and sellers evaluate qualifications.
- Experience helps buyers and sellers manage expectations after discoveries are made.
All Wisconsin Home Inspectors Follow the Same Minimum Standards
All home inspectors in Wisconsin are required to follow the State Standards of Practice (SoP). That means every licensed inspector is required to meet a baseline.
But “meeting the minimum” is not the same as protecting you from significant financial exposure.
A less experienced (and sometimes less expensive) inspector may have enough knowledge to pass exams — but not enough real-world experience to recognize patterns, risks, and warning signs that can cost homeowners thousands after moving in.
Why Credentials Matter
Being one of the Co-Authors of the Wisconsin Standards of Practice indicates more than just passing knowledge. It reflects deep familiarity with what inspectors are expected to look for — and what buyers should reasonably expect from an inspection.
In addition, as an Expert Witness, I’ve learned what other inspectors have missed. I’ve seen firsthand how overlooked issues become expensive surprises after closing.
It’s common for a less experienced inspector to charge less for an inspection — but the homebuyer often pays much more later when problems are discovered after they move in.
Important Things Most Home Buyers Don’t Know
- A competent home inspection is not technically exhaustive. It is a visual evaluation performed on the day of the inspection.
- A home inspector is not required to report code violations.
- Most home inspectors are not code inspectors and are not qualified to inspect for code compliance.
However, hiring an inspector who holds additional credentials to document code-related concerns can help in a big way:
- It shows that an issue is not just the inspector’s opinion.
- It helps buyers understand health and safety concerns more clearly.
- It helps you prioritize repairs and maintenance after moving in.
- It can reduce risk when you remodel or sell the home later.
Home inspectors are not prohibited from documenting code violations if they hold the necessary credentials. That’s why it’s smart to check and compare credentials before hiring an inspector.
Real Estate Offers, “Defects,” and Why Judgment Matters
When purchasing a home in Wisconsin, buyers typically work with a real estate agent and submit an Offer to Purchase (OTP). The OTP contains contingencies and definitions — including what constitutes a “defect.”
It’s important to understand that the definition of a defect in the OTP is not always the same as the definition used in the Standards of Practice. The SoP (as of this writing) includes language that inspections are performed:
“…on the basis of the home inspector’s judgement on the day of the inspection…”
This is why experience matters. Judgment matters.
Some inspectors might be influenced by:
- The desire to receive more referrals by reporting fewer “defects”
- Fear of litigation if they don’t report “enough” defects
Credentials and experience beyond the minimum allow me to bring more to the table — and to better protect my clients from risk.
What Past Customers Say We Helped Them Avoid
Here are real examples of what clients have told us we helped them save by identifying concerns and risks beyond the minimum scope:
- $10,000–$30,000 in chimney repair costs (knowledge beyond the SoP)
- $5,000–$20,000 in attic or basement mold mitigation (beyond the SoP)
- $3,000–$30,000 in foundation repair costs (beyond the SoP)
- $8,000–$90,000 in cedar shake roof repairs (discovered using drone imagery; FAA certified)
- $3,000–$10,000 in HVAC replacement costs (warning signs that indicated significant issues)
- $5,000–$40,000 in wood window repairs due to decay from missing flashing and water intrusion
- $$$–$$$$ in moisture / condensation / dew point issues identified via thermal imaging (beyond the SoP)
The Takeaway
Before hiring a home inspector, ask about credentials and experience beyond the required scope.
That added expertise can help minimize your risk of future repair costs, surprise discoveries after moving in, and even potential litigation.