Anyone can put "experienced inspector" on a website. Before you hand over the inspection of a home you are about to buy, it pays to verify that an inspector is actually qualified. Fortunately, the checks are quick, and most can be done before you ever pick up the phone. Here is a practical, step-by-step checklist for North Texas buyers.

Step 1: Confirm an active TREC license

This is non-negotiable. In Texas, home inspectors must be licensed and are regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). The license is the legal requirement to inspect a home in this state, and TREC lets consumers verify a license directly. Look up the inspector's name or license number and confirm the license is active and in good standing. If someone is inspecting homes in Texas without a current TREC license, stop there.

Step 2: Look for ASHI or InterNACHI membership

Once the license checks out, see whether the inspector also holds national credentialing. Membership in ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) or InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) is voluntary, but it signals that the inspector follows a national Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and invests in continuing education. ASHI's top credential involves completing 250 paid inspections, passing the National Home Inspector Examination, and ongoing education each year. InterNACHI's Certified Professional Inspector path involves passing its proctored exam, completing required modules, and committing to ongoing inspections or education. Either one is a reassuring extra layer on top of the state license.

Step 3: Ask about E&O insurance

Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance covers the inspector if something is missed or done incorrectly. Ask whether the inspector carries it. A professional who carries E&O coverage is showing that they take responsibility for their work seriously, and it gives you a measure of protection if a dispute ever arises.

Step 4: Request a sample report

A sample report tells you more than any sales pitch. Ask to see a real, recent example (with personal details removed). When you read it, look for:

  • Clear, plain-language descriptions of issues.
  • Photos of the actual problems.
  • A logical structure that follows the home's major systems.
  • Specific recommendations, not vague filler.

If the sample is thin, confusing, or just a checklist with no detail, expect the same on your home.

Step 5: Read recent reviews

Reviews fill in the human side: Did the inspector show up on time? Were they thorough? Did they explain findings patiently and answer questions afterward? Focus on recent reviews, since an inspector's quality can change over time, and look for patterns rather than reacting to any single comment.

Put it all together

A strong inspector clears every item on this list: an active TREC license, ideally national credentialing, E&O insurance, a detailed sample report, and a solid recent track record. Run the same checks on each candidate and the right choice usually becomes clear. For a curated starting point, see our guide to the best home inspectors in DFW.

If you would like a candidate that already meets these benchmarks, a local, TREC-licensed option is Buffalo Property Inspections.