Real Estate Inspector Illinois

From LoveToKnow Mortgage

To protect you against the trials and tribulations that can be caused by an unprofessional real estate inspector, Illinois has specific licensing requirements which inspectors must meet. It is easy to determine if a home inspector is licensed in Illinois and if there have been any disciplinary actions against the inspector.

Illinois State Requirements For Real Estate Inspectors

Every state has requirements for home inspector certification. Illinois passed the Illinois Home Inspector License Act to protect Illinois citizens against poor quality home inspections. Specifically, this act provides that:

  • Licensing – Anyone performing inspections in the State of Illinois, and the company for which the inspector is employed, must be licensed under the Illinois Home Inspector License Act before they can act or advertise themselves as a home inspector.
  • Marketing – A person cannot call themselves a home inspector or any other title that could be interpreted as a home inspector if they are not licensed as a home inspector.
  • Requirements – To obtain a home inspector license, an individual must:
    • Send the appropriate application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR) and pay the required fee.
    • Be at least 21 years of age
    • Be a high school graduate
    • Show proof of at least 60 hours of instruction by a DFPR-approved home inspection instruction program
    • Pass a DFPR exam which is based on the National Home Inspector Examination
  • Penalties – Violation of the Illinois Home Inspector License Act could result in:
    • Criminal prosecution
    • Civil penalty of up to $10,000
    • Temporary restraining order or a permanent injunction

Finding a Licensed Real Estate Inspector: Illinois Searches

As of October 2008 there were almost 3000 licensed home inspectors in Illinois and almost 500 licensed home inspection companies.

If you have already identified a potential home inspector who you want to use, you can check to see if they are licensed in Illinois by using the License Lookup feature on the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation (DFPR) website. The database is updated daily and includes both licensing information and any disciplinary actions that might have been taken against the owner of the license. You can search the database using either the home inspector's:

  • Last name and first initial or their business name
  • License number

Home inspectors are easy to find with an Internet search. Look for an inspector that is certified by the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) or is a member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). Members of these organizations are full-time home inspectors, not individuals who perform home inspections on a part time basis or as a service of another profession such as pest control. Members in these two organizations are held to high standards and ethics.

It is important to find an inspector who is acquainted with the special building codes and requirements in the city where the property is located. Finding a geographically-specific inspector will also help you find an expert who will be knowledgeable in special issues that might be experienced. For example, a home inspector from a Chicago suburb would probably not be as acquainted with the special requirements of property in the city of Chicago as would a Chicago-based home inspector.

Filing a Complaint Against a Home Inspector

You can file a complaint against an Illinois home inspector with the DFPR. To file your complaint, you will need to complete the Consumer Services Inquire Form specifying the details of your complaint. You will also be asked to include:

  • Details about the event
  • A copy of the home inspection report
  • Photos of the home which was inspected
  • Statements from people who witnessed the action about which you are complaining
  • Letters or emails between you and the home inspector
  • Copies of advertising (if the complaint is about the advertising by the home inspector)

The action you are complaining about must have happened in the past five years. Common complaints include:

  • Lack of high quality service
  • Charged unfairly
  • Operating without proper licensing or training

The DFPR will review your complaint and respond with their opinion in writing.

A Final Word: Do Your Homework

If you are looking for a professional real estate inspector, Illinois state licensing laws will go a long way to protect you against shoddy quality and less-than stellar professionalism. Be sure to allow enough time before contracting with a home inspector to check their license and if there are any complaints. Taking a little time to check the Illinois state database before you sign an inspection contract can potentially save you a lot of time, money and inconvenience which you might have experienced with an unlicensed home inspector.

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