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Before You Hire an RV Inspector, Ask These 5 Questions
Buying an RV is a major investment, and hiring the right RV inspector can potentially save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs.
But there has been an explosion in the number of people offering RV inspection services over the last several years. Most have good intentions, but their training, experience, qualifications, and level of professionalism can vary dramatically.
So how do you find a good RV inspector?
I’m Mike Murphy, owner of Cozy Camper Mobile RV Services. I’m a Certified RV Inspector, Certified RV Technician, and I’ve personally performed hundreds of RV inspections throughout Texas.
Based on my experience inspecting RVs and talking with buyers, dealerships, technicians, and other inspectors, I recommend looking at five different levels of qualification.
Think of them as a pyramid. Certification gets an inspector into the conversation. As you move higher, you begin separating inspectors who meet the basic requirements from those who have developed significantly more experience and technical expertise.
Here are the five questions I would ask before hiring someone to inspect an RV.
1. Are You Currently a Certified RV Inspector?
The first thing I recommend looking for is professional RV inspector certification.
For me, the National RV Inspectors Association, or NRVIA, remains the standard I look for when evaluating an inspector.
NRVIA inspectors receive dedicated RV inspection training and operate under established Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics.
The Standards of Practice are important because they define what an RV inspection is actually supposed to include.
Without a defined inspection standard, how do you know what the inspector is going to test?
One inspector's idea of an inspection could be dramatically different from another's.
The Code of Ethics is equally important because an independent inspector should not have a financial incentive to find problems that generate additional work.
For example, imagine an inspector tells you:
“You need two new air conditioners.”
Then immediately follows that with:
“Luckily, I have two air conditioners on my truck that I can install for you.”
You would have a legitimate reason to question whether the recommendation was truly impartial.
An independent inspection should be exactly that: independent.
But Certification Is Only the Starting Point
This is why certification sits at the bottom of my qualification pyramid rather than the top.
Inspector training gives someone an important foundation, but training alone doesn't replace years of hands-on experience.
There is no substitute for actually working around RV electrical systems, appliances, plumbing, HVAC equipment, propane systems, slideouts, leveling systems, inverters, converters, and other components.
So ask:
Are you currently certified and in good standing as an RV inspector?
Then move to the next question.
2. Are You a Certified RV Technician or an Experienced RV Technician?
You do not necessarily have to be a Certified RV Technician to become an RV inspector.
But technician experience helps tremendously.
Think about home inspectors.
Imagine two people completed the same home inspection training.
One spent 15 years building houses before becoming an inspector.
The other completed the inspection course without ever working professionally in construction.
Which inspector probably has more insight when something unusual appears?
The same principle applies to RVs.
An inspector with significant technician experience has spent more time diagnosing electrical problems, understanding appliances, tracing plumbing systems, working with control boards, testing components, and figuring out why things aren't working correctly.
One surprisingly good example is the RV inverter.
Modern RV electrical systems can become complicated quickly. An inspector needs to understand what should be powered by shore power, batteries, an inverter, a converter/charger, generator power, solar, and the various combinations of those systems.
If an inspector doesn't understand the basic systems installed in the RV, it becomes difficult to evaluate whether they're operating correctly.
That doesn't mean every great RV inspector must hold a technician certification.
There are excellent inspectors who previously worked at dealerships, service centers, manufacturers, or alongside experienced technicians.
What you're trying to establish is whether the person inspecting your RV has meaningful technical experience beyond simply completing an inspection course.
Ask:
Are you a Certified RV Technician, or what professional RV technician experience do you have?
3. What Advanced Manufacturer or Component Training Have You Completed?
Modern RVs are becoming increasingly complicated.
Many now incorporate interconnected control systems, multiplex wiring, touchscreens, sophisticated battery systems, solar charging, inverters, automatic leveling systems, advanced HVAC systems, and equipment that looks more like what you would find in a modern vehicle than an older camper.
Motorhomes can take this complexity even further.
For example, some diesel motorhomes use hydronic heating systems such as Aqua-Hot instead of conventional RV furnaces and water heaters.
When I wanted to expand the number of motorhomes I inspected, I pursued additional Aqua-Hot training.
I didn't do that because I wanted to start repairing Aqua-Hot systems.
I wanted to understand them better so I could inspect them more effectively.
There are numerous RV manufacturers and component suppliers that provide additional technical training.
An inspector isn't going to have every certification that exists.
That's not the point.
What you're looking for is evidence that the inspector continues developing professionally after completing their initial training.
If you're buying an RV with specialized equipment, ask about that equipment specifically.
For example:
Have you completed any advanced manufacturer or component training?
And if you're purchasing a motorhome equipped with an Aqua-Hot system:
What experience or training do you have with Aqua-Hot systems?
The more complicated the RV, the more important this becomes.
4. Are You Properly Insured and Licensed?
Your RV inspector should carry appropriate business insurance.
An inspection involves climbing onto roofs, operating appliances, extending slideouts and awnings, testing electrical equipment, connecting water systems, operating generators, testing plumbing, and interacting with a very expensive piece of property.
Insurance protects the inspector, the RV owner, the client, and the property where the inspection is performed.
Many dealerships require inspectors to provide proof of insurance before they'll even allow them onto the property.
Licensing can become more complicated because requirements vary between states and jurisdictions.
Propane is a good example.
Some states regulate LP-gas testing and service more aggressively than others. Depending on where the inspection occurs and exactly what testing the inspector performs, additional licensing or certification may be required.
Here in Texas, certain work involving RV propane systems falls under Texas Railroad Commission licensing and certification requirements.
Because our inspections include propane testing that falls within those requirements, I obtained the appropriate qualifications for the work I perform.
Your responsibility as the buyer isn't to become an expert in every state licensing law.
Simply ask the inspector:
Are you insured for the inspection work you're performing, and are you properly licensed or certified for the tests included in your inspection?
A professional inspector should be able to answer that question easily.
5. Where Is the Proof?
At this point, you've found an inspector who:
Holds professional RV inspection credentials
Has technician knowledge or experience
Pursues advanced training
Carries appropriate insurance
Meets applicable licensing requirements
Now it's time for the final level:
Proof.
Like any professional service, you should be able to see evidence of the inspector's work.
Start with reviews.
Don't just look at the star rating.
Read the reviews.
If the company offers multiple services, make sure those reviews are actually talking about RV inspections.
For example, someone might operate a home inspection company that recently began offering RV inspections. Two hundred excellent reviews about home inspections don't necessarily tell you anything about their RV inspection experience.
Look specifically for customers discussing RV inspections.
Other valuable evidence can include:
Sample RV inspection reports
Video testimonials
Photos or videos of previous inspections
Educational content produced by the inspector
Examples of defects they've discovered
Manufacturer or component certifications
A substantial history of RV inspection reviews
Most established RV inspectors should be willing to provide a sample report.
Take the time to look at it.
Does it provide detailed information?
Are photographs included?
Are defects clearly documented?
Could you understand the condition of an RV based on that report?
The report is ultimately one of the primary products you're buying.
Ask:
Where can I see your RV inspection reviews, sample reports, testimonials, and examples of your work?
The 5 Questions to Ask before you hire an RV Inspector
Before hiring an RV inspector, ask these five questions:
Are you currently certified and in good standing as an RV inspector?
Are you a Certified RV Technician, or what professional technician experience do you have?
What advanced manufacturer or component training have you completed?
Are you properly insured and licensed for the inspection work and testing you're performing?
Where can I see your RV inspection reviews, sample reports, testimonials, and other proof of your work?
You're unlikely to find an inspector who has every certification or every type of training available.
That's not the goal.
These questions are simply a framework for evaluating the person you're trusting to inspect one of the largest purchases you may make.
The further an inspector progresses through these five levels, the more evidence you have that they've invested in becoming a professional RV inspector rather than simply offering RV inspections as another service.
Need an RV Inspection in Texas?
Cozy Camper Mobile RV Services provides independent RV inspections throughout Texas, with a primary focus on the Austin, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Buda, Boerne, Seguin, Georgetown, and surrounding Central Texas areas.
We inspect new and used travel trailers, fifth wheels, Class A motorhomes, Class B motorhomes, Class C motorhomes, and other RVs for buyers who want a better understanding of what they're purchasing before they take ownership.
Book an RV inspection in Texas at cozycamperatx.com. Find an RV inspector near you at RVHelp.com
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