Home Inspectors Who Also Perform Repairs: Should Homebuyers Be Concerned?

When purchasing a home, one of the most important steps in the due diligence process is hiring a qualified home inspector. Buyers rely on inspectors to provide an honest, objective assessment of a property’s condition so they can make informed decisions before closing.

But what happens when the same person who identifies the problems also offers to repair them?

For many buyers, this raises an important question: Is there a conflict of interest?

Hawaii Does Not License Home Inspectors

I recently ran across a home inspection company here in Hawaii that also owns and operates a Contracting Company/Handyman Service. This very much concerned me as I believe this is a very unethical business practice. Many people are surprised to learn that the State of Hawaii does not license or regulate home inspectors. Unlike electricians, plumbers, or general contractors, there is no state-issued Home Inspector License and no Hawaii regulatory board overseeing the profession.

This means there are no state-mandated education requirements, licensing exams, or ethics rules that inspectors must follow. While many inspectors complete professional training and certifications voluntarily, those credentials are not required by the State of Hawaii.

Why Independence Matters

The role of a home inspector is to provide an unbiased evaluation of a home’s condition. Buyers depend on that report to determine whether they should move forward with the purchase, request repairs or credits, or cancel the transaction during their inspection contingency period.

A potential conflict of interest arises when an inspector also owns or operates a construction, handyman, or repair business.

The concern is simple: if the inspector profits from repairing the issues they identify, there is a financial incentive that could influence—or appear to influence—the inspection findings.

Even if every recommendation is made honestly, maintaining complete independence helps preserve buyer confidence in the inspection process.

Professional Industry Standards

Although Hawaii does not regulate home inspectors, many inspectors voluntarily belong to national organizations that establish ethical standards for the profession.

Organizations such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) have codes of ethics designed to protect consumers by promoting inspector independence.

These organizations generally prohibit or restrict members from:

• Performing repairs on a home they have inspected for a specified period of time.
• Soliciting repair work based on defects identified during an inspection.
• Allowing financial interests to influence inspection findings.

The purpose of these standards is straightforward: buyers deserve an inspection that is objective and free from financial incentives.

Business Models That Combine Inspections and Repairs

Here on the Big Island, some businesses operate both a home inspection company and a separate construction, handyman, or repair company under the same ownership.

While this business model may be legally permissible in Hawaii because there is no state law prohibiting it, buyers should understand how it differs from the ethical guidelines promoted by many national home inspection organizations.

For this reason, it is worth asking questions before hiring an inspector.

Questions Every Buyer Should Ask

Before scheduling a home inspection, consider asking:

• Have you completed formal home inspection training?
• Are you certified or affiliated with organizations such as InterNACHI or ASHI?
• Do you own or operate a construction, handyman, or repair business?
• Will you or one of your affiliated companies perform repairs on homes you inspect?
• Will you provide repair estimates for items identified during the inspection?

The answers to these questions can help you better understand the inspector’s qualifications and whether any potential conflicts of interest exist.

Protecting Yourself During the Home Buying Process

If your home inspector also offers repair services, it is wise to obtain one or more estimates from independent licensed contractors before negotiating repairs or seller credits.

Independent estimates can help you:

• Verify that repairs are actually necessary.
• Compare pricing.
• Determine whether the recommended scope of work is reasonable.
• Negotiate with the seller using objective information.

Obtaining multiple opinions is a smart practice whenever significant repairs are involved.

The Bottom Line

A home inspection is one of the most important protections available to buyers. While inspectors who also own construction or handyman businesses may legally operate that way in Hawaii, consumers should understand the potential for conflicts of interest and make informed decisions when selecting an inspector.

Choosing an experienced inspector with strong professional credentials, asking the right questions about their business practices, and obtaining independent repair estimates when appropriate can help ensure you receive an objective evaluation of the property.

As a REALTOR®, my responsibility is to help buyers make informed decisions throughout the purchasing process. Understanding how the home inspection industry operates in Hawaii is another important step toward protecting your investment and avoiding unnecessary surprises after closing.