To choose a home inspector in Milwaukee, confirm the inspector is registered with the State of Wisconsin, then compare companies on experience, how fast the report arrives, who reviews it, what happens if you are not satisfied, and what coverage comes with the inspection. Ask which tests need to be written into your offer, too, because in Wisconsin some of them cannot be added later. Homesight, Inc., a veteran-owned inspection company serving Southeast Wisconsin since 1997, answers each question below with what we do, so you have a standard to compare against.
1. Is the inspector registered in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin does not issue a home inspector "license." It requires every home inspector to be registered with the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). To register, an inspector completes 40 hours of approved education, passes the National Home Inspector Examination and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules exam, and submits an application to DSPS.
Ask for the inspector's registration number and check it with DSPS. Registration is the legal minimum, so treat it as the starting point, not the deciding factor. If you are curious what that training involves, our guide to becoming a home inspector in Wisconsin walks through it.
2. How much experience does the company have?
An inspector who sees hundreds of homes a year learns what Milwaukee's older housing stock tends to hide: aging electrical panels, tired sewer laterals, basement moisture, and decades of do-it-yourself repairs. Ask how long the company has been inspecting in the area and how many inspections it performs each year.
Homesight has inspected homes in Southeast Wisconsin since 1997 and performs more than 1,100 inspections a year. Our founder, David Kolesari, is a past president of both the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) and the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors (WAHI). To see what experienced inspectors find most often, read our list of the top 25 home inspection defects in Milwaukee and Waukesha.
3. When will you get the report, and who checks it?
Your inspection contingency has a deadline, so report timing matters. Ask when the report arrives and whether anyone besides the inspector reviews it before you see it.
Homesight reports are delivered the next day, after a second-level review. They are photo-documented and written to be easy to read, so you and your agent can decide quickly which items to raise with the seller.
4. What happens if you are not satisfied?
Ask whether the company stands behind its work in writing. Homesight's 200% Satisfaction Guarantee means that if you are not satisfied, we do not charge you, and we cover another licensed inspector of your choice to re-inspect the home.
5. What coverage comes with the inspection?
Some inspection companies include protection that lasts past closing. Ask what is included at no extra cost. Every Homesight inspection comes with a complimentary warranty package:
- 180-day post-inspection warranty
- RecallChek
- 180-day mold warranty
- 5-year extended roof coverage
- 180-day sewer warranty
- 125-day radon warranty
- 18-month extended warranty discount
If the house does not work out, Inspection Protection takes $100 off the inspection on a second house within 30 days when you use the same realtor. Every inspection also includes a free moving concierge.
6. Which tests need to be in your offer?
This is the question most buyers do not know to ask. Wisconsin's offer to purchase treats an inspection (looking at the home) and a test (taking samples for a lab) as different things, and the inspection contingency alone does not allow testing. That means:
- Write into your offer: mold testing, asbestos testing, and lead-based paint testing. Radon testing has its own contingency in the offer, so make sure it is selected.
- Can be added after the offer: thermal imaging, a wood destroying organism (WDO) inspection, and a sewer scope.
A good inspector will tell you this before you write the offer, not after. If you are not sure what an older Milwaukee home needs, call Homesight at (414) 321-1070 before you sign.
7. Can you attend, and how long will it take?
Ask whether you can follow along and how long to plan for. A Homesight home inspection typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the type, age, and size of the home. We recommend following the inspector and asking questions as you go. If you cannot stay for the whole inspection, the end is the most valuable part, because the inspector can walk you through a verbal summary. Our home inspection buyer guide covers inspection day and what happens after.
Frequently asked questions
Do home inspectors need a license in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires home inspectors to be registered with the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Registration requires 40 hours of approved education and passing both the National Home Inspector Examination and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules exam.
How long does a home inspection take in Milwaukee?
A Homesight home inspection typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours. Larger or older homes can take longer.
How much does a home inspection cost in Milwaukee?
Price depends on the size, age, and type of home and on any tests you add. See our Milwaukee home inspection cost guide for current pricing.
Does Homesight inspect homes outside Milwaukee?
Yes. Homesight serves 13 Southeast Wisconsin counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Jefferson, Dodge, Rock, Dane, Sheboygan, and Fond du Lac. Buying in Waukesha County? See choosing a home inspector in Waukesha County.
Book a home inspection in Milwaukee
Homesight has served Southeast Wisconsin buyers since 1997 with second-level reviewed reports delivered the next day and a 200% Satisfaction Guarantee. Schedule your home inspection in Milwaukee or call (414) 321-1070. Our staff is available 24/7 to schedule.