A home inspection is a comprehensive
visual examination of the home's overall
structure, major systems and components.
A properly trained home inspector will
review your home as a system, looking at how one
component of the house might affect the operation
or life-span of another.
Components that are not performing properly should
be identified, as well as items that are beyond
their useful life or may be unsafe.
The purpose of the home inspection is to
provide the client with a better understanding of
the property conditions, as observed at the time
of the inspection, in order to become adequately
well informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
For your convenience we have listed some of the most frequently asked
questions (FAQ) for buyers and sellers who are considering hiring a Home
Inspector to help with their decision:
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Not all Home Inspectors are equally trained and qualified !
The best source is by far a "word of mouth" referral; ask a friend, family or
co-worker if they can recommend a home inspector they have used in the past and
were indeed satisfied with the services. Other sources can be your lender or
mortgage broker, your legal advisor, and /or insurer. Your Real Estate
Professional can also provide you with a (minimum of 3) names of home inspectors
for you to call and interview.
If you are looking in the Super Pages, most home inspection companies can be
found under the headings "Building Inspection Services" or "Home Inspection
Services". Whatever your referral source, please perform due diligence when
selecting an inspector. Discuss your expectations with the inspector to ensure
that the report provided will meet your specific needs.
To help you in your selection process, here are some additional
questions to ask:
If a company discourages you from attending the full inspection for any
reason, certainly don't use them. We always encourage you to attend. This is
a valuable learning experience for home buyers. It is the perfect opportunity to
ask specific questions about the condition of the home. Also, when defects are
identified, the inspector can discuss these so that you understand the severity
and what repairs are required. We also encourage clients to prepare an advance
list of questions /concerns for your best understanding.
3 Do I actually need to be present at the time of the
inspection?
Yes, please - it is clearly to the client's benefit to be present. The point
of a home inspection is not just to inspect the property, but also to educate as
to the condition of the property. This can obviously be best achieved if you are
present at the time of the inspection.
Our typical fee is $299 and up – depending whether the home is a Condo
/townhouse /single-family detached house. However, some factors will affect the
fee, such as size and complexity, plus the type of dwelling. If you are
comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the deciding
factor, alone, unless the level of service offered is truly identical. Remember,
you are considering a very major purchase and your choice of inspectors should
not be based on a relatively small cost difference, since you may well only "get
what you pay for" and why would you want to compromise such an important
discovery process?
Are you buying a home? - A pre-purchase home inspection can
provide you with the advance information you need to know about the condition of
the home you plan to purchase. More information equals an informed purchase
decision, which equals fewer surprises. Minimize the risk to your investment. No
one wants to face serious, unexpected costs shortly after a purchase.
Considering arenovation? A home inspection can help prioritize
repairs and maintenance. A pre-renovation inspection equals money spent in the
right places.
Selling a home? Show prospective purchasers that every effort has been
made to disclose the condition of the home. A Seller’s inspection can equal a
faster sale, minimize or even eliminate negotiations and offer ‘transparency’.
7 What kinds of leverage can a Home Inspection give me?
If identified before finalizing a deal, the cost of major repairs can
often be negotiated into the final purchase price or repairs can be done by the vendor
prior to purchase. A "subject to home inspection" clause can equal money saved
on repairs.
Gain an understanding of the systems in your home, their operation, and
required maintenance. Preventative maintenance equals fewer headaches later.
We inspect all the major systems of the home. These include the Structure,
Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electrical, Roof /Attic, Exterior and Interior –
including Basement /Crawl space. Our aim is to identify any existing major
problems that would affect a typical purchaser’s buying decision. We will add
significantly to your knowledge of the home, but still cannot tell you
everything about the dwelling. All home inspections are entirely visual.
No destructive testing is performed without advance written permission of the
owner. The inspection and report will put you in a much better position to make
your well-informed decision. Please refer to the
A professional home inspection usually takes between three and four hours,
minimum, depending on the size, age, complexity and condition of the home. We
always allow up to half a working day, to ensure thoroughness and adequate time
for questions and consultation.
It is critical that the inspector is able to access all areas and /or
systems. If certain areas are inaccessible, the inspection can be hampered
and take longer than necessary, or the inspection may end up being less than
complete. The client may need to schedule and pay for a return visit to the
site.
Our written report is ready for you upon completion of the inspection,
without delay. The reporting system we have co-developed is valuable in
assisting our clients in their purchase decision. It includes a summary of the
condition of the home, numerous report forms relating to the major systems of
the home. The format of this report allows us to have your completed report
ready right at the end of the inspection.
We are available on short notice and are ready to serve your needs
quickly. We always very much appreciate advance notice, though. In the event
there may be a scheduling conflict, we will be "there for you" at the next
available opportunity – most likely the very next day (no weekend sur-charges).
