How to Recommend a Home Inspector: A Guide for Realtors

As a real estate professional, your clients look to you for guidance throughout the entire home buying or selling process—including choosing the right home inspector. It’s an important referral that can set the tone for the rest of the transaction. So, how do you ensure the inspectors you recommend are a good fit for your clients—and for your reputation?

Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing who makes it onto your referral list.

1. Always Have 2–3 Trusted Inspectors on Hand

Having a short list of reliable inspectors allows your clients to choose someone they feel comfortable with, while still ensuring the names you give them are vetted professionals. This also helps accommodate scheduling flexibility, especially in a busy market where timeframes can be tight.

2. Ask the Right Questions

When deciding which inspectors to recommend, don’t be afraid to interview them the way your clients might:

• Are you insured?
  This is a must. General liability and errors & omissions (E&O) insurance isn’t just about their business—it’s about protecting your clients and yourself. If an uninsured inspector misses something significant, the liability could become messy and, in some cases, might even circle back to the referring agent.

• Are you certified and a member of an inspection association?
  Look for inspectors who are members of recognized organizations like InterNACHI. These associations require ongoing education and adherence to a professional code of ethics.

• Do you have a background in construction or related fields?
  Inspectors with hands-on experience often have a more practical understanding of the systems they're evaluating. This translates into clearer reports and better explanations for your clients.

• How do you deliver reports, and how quickly?
  A thorough inspection is important—but so is timely delivery. In most cases, a same-day or next-day report is ideal. Bonus points for inspectors who walk clients through the report on-site or are willing to hop on a call to explain things in more detail.

3. Look for Diligence, Not Just Speed

It’s easy to assume that a fast inspection is a good one, but quality takes time. Inspectors who take the time to answer questions, explain findings, and make themselves available post-inspection are often the ones clients remember for the right reasons.

4. Remember: You're Protecting Everyone Involved

Recommending a diligent, insured inspector isn’t just about closing the deal—it’s about protecting your clients and your professional reputation. A good home inspector is part of your team, helping buyers feel informed and confident in their purchase.

What Realtor Liability Really Looks Like

Let’s be clear: Realtors make recommendations with the best intentions. But when it comes to referring a home inspector, there’s a fine line between helping a client and unintentionally putting yourself at risk.

Here’s why:

If a home inspector misses a major issue—like a failing foundation, outdated plumbing, or a dangerous electrical panel—and that issue causes financial or safety problems down the line, the buyer may come back asking why that inspector was recommended. In some cases, realtors have been drawn into legal disputes simply for referring someone who wasn’t insured or properly qualified.

While you're not expected to be an expert in inspections, you should recommend professionals who meet the basic industry standards:

• Insurance coverage (including Errors & Omissions) is crucial. If the inspector isn’t covered and a claim arises, there's no safety net—and legal actions could target everyone involved, including the Realtor who referred them.

• Lack of diligence can be just as risky. If the inspector is rushing, inexperienced, or cuts corners, that could lead to overlooked problems—problems that may surface after possession and lead to client dissatisfaction, or worse, legal headaches.

How to reduce your risk:

• Recommend multiple qualified inspectors, so the final decision is always in the client’s hands.

• Ensure anyone you refer is certified, insured, and has a track record of thorough, diligent inspections.

• Keep records of who you referred and why—documentation always helps if questions come up later.

At the end of the day, referring a high-standard, insured inspector isn’t just about helping your clients. It’s also about protecting your business, your license, and your peace of mind.

Your recommendation carries weight. When you choose to work with experienced, insured, and professional home inspectors, you're not only serving your clients better—you're building trust and credibility in every transaction.

Need an inspector who checks all the boxes? We’d be happy to connect and discuss how we can support your clients with thorough, professional service.