The most common way to find a home inspector is through someone you know, like a real estate agent, business acquaintance, friend, or relative. However, there are some other helpful resources that can help you find a qualified home inspector in your area.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) provide online resources and search tools that can help you locate a reputable home inspector. Currently, not all states require that home inspectors be licensed, so it is important to check out an inspector's background before you hire him or her to do the job. Both ASHI and NAHI require member home inspectors to adhere to codes of ethics and to conduct home inspections according to certain minimum standards. For example, ASHI inspectors are prohibited from having a professional stake in the sale or repair of a property they are hired to inspect. Therefore, it would be an ethical violation if a home inspector used his or her position to funnel potential customers to his or her own home repair business.

Before hiring someone, be sure to check whether he or she is a member of any professional organization(s) such as ASHI or NAHI, and call the organization(s) to make sure the inspector you are considering is in good standing. If it is a requirement in your state, you will want to find out if the home inspector is licensed. It is also a good idea to make some calls to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and your local government offices to find out if the inspector has had any complaints filed against him or her. In addition to these checks, interview the inspector and ask for references.