Only a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) can provide a home buyer with advice based upon professional engineering judgment.

The January 2004 Issue of Consumer Reports® has a relevant investigation of defects in homes. Importantly, the article gives excellent advice regarding how home buyers can take steps to avoid trouble.

The Consumer Reports® article states: “Be proactive. Consumers should never buy a house without first hiring a real-estate attorney and a home-inspection engineer.”

It is important for home buyers to understand that the credentials of home inspectors vary widely, some are licensed engineers, some are non-engineers, some claim to be professional home inspectors, some claim to be certified, some claim membership in a home inspector group. Certifications can be obtained by almost anybody, a high school diploma is not even a requirement and certifications can even be obtained by joining a trade group.

The Consumer Reports® article also states “Hire a qualified home inspector. Preferably, the inspector should be an engineer or architect.”