[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-how-to-choose-the-right-contractor-after-your-inspection\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-how-to-choose-the-right-contractor-after-your-inspection\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): How to Choose the Right Contractor After Your Inspection","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): How to Choose the Right Contractor After Your Inspection","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): How to Choose the Right Contractor After Your Inspection If the first words out of a contractor\u2019s mouth are, \u201cYour inspector missed all this,\u201d you should probably ask them to leave. I\u2019m not saying we\u2019re perfect\u2014no one is\u2014but I can tell you that shady tradespeople love to throw inspectors under the bus to sell you things you may not even need. If someone\u2019s quoting $8,000 to replace an electrical panel without actually diagnosing a problem, that\u2019s a red flag\u2014not a professional assessment. No One Knows Everything (And They Shouldn\u2019t Pretend To) I don\u2019t claim to be a master electrician. And I don\u2019t expect contractors to understand every nuance of a home inspection either. We are different disciplines for a reason. Inspectors look for symptoms. Contractors recommend solutions. The best tradespeople say things like, \u201cI can see why your inspector noted this,\u201d or \u201cLet me run a few tests and see what\u2019s really going on.\u201d They validate your process instead of trying to discredit it. That\u2019s who you want in your corner. Don\u2019t Hire a Know-It-All The guy who says he knows everything about everything? He usually doesn\u2019t. He just knows how to make you feel stupid enough to open your checkbook. That\u2019s not expertise\u2014it\u2019s manipulation. Look for contractors who: Ask to see the report and actually read it. Perform their own evaluation before offering a price. Give you repair vs. replacement options. Explain risks and costs in plain language. And if they say, \u201cThis whole system is garbage, you need to replace it now\u201d? That\u2019s your cue to get a second opinion. What I Tell Every Client Bring in a licensed contractor for their opinion and estimate. But don\u2019t let that opinion be based solely on sales pressure or ego. A good pro doesn\u2019t need to trash anyone else to prove their point. And yes\u2014sometimes you do need a new system. But not before a thoughtful, respectful conversation about why. FAQs: Hiring Trades After a Home Inspection Should I show contractors the home inspection report? Yes. It helps them focus on flagged issues and keeps them honest. Ask them to confirm or clarify, not just critique. What if the contractor says the inspector missed a bunch of stuff? Get a second opinion. And ask the contractor to be specific. Most who make vague claims are more interested in upselling than problem-solving. Is it better to work with a company the inspector recommends? Often, yes\u2014inspectors work with contractors who understand how to complement our findings, not contradict them for profit. But always do your own vetting too. Can I ask the inspector to explain something again if the contractor disagrees? Absolutely. Any good inspector (myself included) is happy to clarify what was observed and what the recommendation was\u2014and why. \u2192 Next up: Post 48: What Can Still Go Wrong After the Inspection? \u2190 Previously: Post 46: Understanding Your Property\u2019s Exclusions and What to Do About Them Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-07-16","dateModified":"2025-07-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspection-blog-40.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspection-blog-40.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-how-to-choose-the-right-contractor-after-your-inspection\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":527,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): How to Choose the Right Contractor After Your InspectionIf the first words out of a contractor\u2019s mouth are, \u201cYour inspector missed all this,\u201d you should probably ask them to leave.I\u2019m not saying we\u2019re perfect\u2014no one is\u2014but I can tell you that shady tradespeople love to throw inspectors under the bus to sell you things you may not even need. If someone\u2019s quoting $8,000 to replace an electrical panel without actually diagnosing a problem, that\u2019s a red flag\u2014not a professional assessment.No One Knows Everything (And They Shouldn\u2019t Pretend To)I don\u2019t claim to be a master electrician. And I don\u2019t expect contractors to understand every nuance of a home inspection either. We are different disciplines for a reason. Inspectors look for symptoms. Contractors recommend solutions.The best tradespeople say things like, \u201cI can see why your inspector noted this,\u201d or \u201cLet me run a few tests and see what\u2019s really going on.\u201d They validate your process instead of trying to discredit it. That\u2019s who you want in your corner.Don\u2019t Hire a Know-It-AllThe guy who says he knows everything about everything? He usually doesn\u2019t. He just knows how to make you feel stupid enough to open your checkbook. That\u2019s not expertise\u2014it\u2019s manipulation.Look for contractors who:  Ask to see the report and actually read it.  Perform their own evaluation before offering a price.  Give you repair vs. replacement options.  Explain risks and costs in plain language.And if they say, \u201cThis whole system is garbage, you need to replace it now\u201d? That\u2019s your cue to get a second opinion.What I Tell Every ClientBring in a licensed contractor for their opinion and estimate. But don\u2019t let that opinion be based solely on sales pressure or ego. A good pro doesn\u2019t need to trash anyone else to prove their point.And yes\u2014sometimes you do need a new system. But not before a thoughtful, respectful conversation about why.FAQs: Hiring Trades After a Home InspectionShould I show contractors the home inspection report?Yes. It helps them focus on flagged issues and keeps them honest. Ask them to confirm or clarify, not just critique.What if the contractor says the inspector missed a bunch of stuff?Get a second opinion. And ask the contractor to be specific. Most who make vague claims are more interested in upselling than problem-solving.Is it better to work with a company the inspector recommends?Often, yes\u2014inspectors work with contractors who understand how to complement our findings, not contradict them for profit. But always do your own vetting too.Can I ask the inspector to explain something again if the contractor disagrees?Absolutely. Any good inspector (myself included) is happy to clarify what was observed and what the recommendation was\u2014and why.\u2192 Next up: Post 48: What Can Still Go Wrong After the Inspection?\u2190 Previously: Post 46: Understanding Your Property\u2019s Exclusions and What to Do About ThemCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): How to Choose the Right Contractor After Your Inspection","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-how-to-choose-the-right-contractor-after-your-inspection\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]