Stucco failure is every homeowner's nightmare. Proper inspection is necessary to avoid costly repairs and helps prevent potential problems from escalating. If your home is exposed to water, it can easily invade the exterior, damaging the walls, especially if the moisture barrier is not done correctly.
Stucco problems can manifest as greenish-black stains, cracks, musky odors, or missing chunks on the walls. Consider performing a stucco inspection. While it can be DIY, working with an expert is advisable to diagnose the problem entirely. But here's the problem: performing an inspection is costly; if this need finds you off-guard, you need to know how to maximize your money for the best outcome. That's where this guide comes in.
We have compiled seven valuable tips to help you cut costs in your next stucco inspection and ensure it pays off in the long run. Read on to find out.
Factors that Influence Stucco Inspection Cost
Professional stucco inspection should be done routinely to ensure the house is safe from damage and minimize repair costs. A complete inspection ideally covers visual inspection of the exterior siding, scans, and invasive and non-invasive inspections.
Depending on the service provider, the service could cost around $500 to above $1000, especially for commercial properties. Other key price determinants include the size and location of the property; learn more about stucco inspection costs here. Although the process can be costly, it's worthwhile and can save you thousands in repair expenses when the problem balloons.
Get More than One Quote
The first way to save money on your stucco inspection is to get the best deal. Achieving that means getting quotes from different service providers and choosing a friendly one. However, check what's included in the package to get a quote that offers the most value for money.
You can start by asking for referrals from friends, family, and neighbors who have carried out an inspection before. It can be a sure way to land a reliable inspector and get favorable rates.
Work with Professionals
Hiring unprofessional inspectors is a great way to save money since they are usually cheap, but the consequences can be costly. An inspector is as good as his reputation, so you must ensure he has the right qualifications, licenses, and certifications.
A reliable way to check the inspector's reputation is through reviews from previous clients online. Check what others say about them on reputable review sites in your area and even check their social media handles. Positive reviews and 5-star ratings are a good sign that you can trust the inspector. But if you find too many complaints and poor ratings, you don't want to be another dissatisfied client and waste your money.
Do Preliminary Checks Yourself
A solid understanding of the scope of work is important to knowing what the inspection involves. First, it lets you take care of the small stuff and cut the overall cost. Secondly, it helps you avoid hidden fees or needing an extra inspection later.
You can do a preliminary inspection to spot apparent issues and prepare the area, which saves the inspector time and lowers the total cost. If the inspector needs to pave the way or carry out a detailed inspection, he may need an extra hand or more resources, and that cost will ultimately be transferred to you.
Do it in the Off-Peak Season
Inspecting your home before the wet and colder months is the best way to take advantage of the affordable prices. If you do the inspection when most people do it, the prices can be high since inspectors have many people lined up for their services. But during off-peak hours, you can negotiate for better prices as most inspectors are willing to adjust their prices because they don't have busy schedules.
Work with Local Inspectors
Many home inspectors are in the market today; however, working with a local inspector is wise. They know your area, understand common stucco problems, and might be the best people to fix it. Additionally, if the inspector needs to travel from far away, the expenses will be considerably higher and, unfortunately, will push the inspection cost.
Another money-saving tip is to mobilize your neighbors for group inspections. Having more than one person interested and having a local inspector qualify you for discounts.
Negotiate the Price
Never shy from asking for a discount when negotiating a price with the inspector. Negotiating with more than one inspector helps you get the best deal. Before negotiating, you must do homework and establish your area's average house inspection price. This will give you insights to position yourself better to save money.
Properly Keep Maintenance Records
Understanding the property's maintenance history can help the inspector establish the depth of the stucco issue. Lack of proper records means the inspector has to perform an inspection each time, which increases the cost. To avoid this, you should keep detailed maintenance records to reduce inspection time and expense. To achieve this, ensure the inspector provides you with a detailed report after every inspection to avoid wasting money on the same issue in your next inspection.
Conclusion
Routine stucco inspection helps identify critical repairs and improvements to restore and improve property value. Getting professional assistance is essential to fixing the issue correctly and avoiding recurring problems.
One of the most crucial parts of home inspection is setting up a realistic budget. Ensure the package covers all critical inspection parts, from walls to foundation. These tips can help you get quality services without paying huge inspection costs. Remember, even as you try to lower costs, always work with professional stucco instructors to avoid compromising the health and safety of your loved ones.
