Inspecting Your Home Inspector
Buying a home is one of the largest investments most people will make. Most people get a home inspection done as part of the buying process to help protect that investment. Buying a home is typically the largest financial investment a person or family will make. Ensure your Home Inspector has the Inspection Knowledge & Experience to protect your investment. The Barrie Home Inspector is the Right Choice for you. If you are living in Ontario and are planning on buying a home, here are some tips for you:
What Should You Expect from a Home Inspection
You have to communicate with your home inspector prior to having your home inspected. Ask questions about what is inspected and even more importantly what is not inspected. For example most people think, and even some home inspectors, that a well and septic tank inspection will be included as part of the home inspection. There are licensed professionals who perform both of these inspections and they are usually hired separately to perform their inspections.
A home inspection is a visual inspection of your home and its major systems. Not everything is visible to the naked eye so home owners should be aware that there maybe hidden problems that may show up at a later date. An example of this is a property inspected in Collingwood. Seller had a flood in basement and did not disclose to Realtor or buyer. Nothing was visible during home inspection as pictures taken showed. When taking possession of house client found visible mould on insulation and when mould experts were brought in, it was also found under linoleum. It is almost impossible to protect yourself from this type of dishonesty which is very disheartening for the majority of honest people out there.
Every professional home inspector has a Standard of Practice which dictates what and what is not inspected. Most home inspectors have this readily available on their website and it is highly recommended that you discuss in detail any concerns or issues prior to hiring one. If your potential new home has some issues that concern you, call your home inspector and discuss them before the home inspection to ensure that they will be addressed to your satisfaction.
Inspecting Your Home Inspector
Professional Home Inspectors typically belong to an organization that certifies them. Research the organizations website for courses and types of qualifications that they require prior to certifying members. Is there a background check and minimum amount of inspections required prior to certification. As a Certified Master Inspector you require both a background check and must have performed over 1,000 paid inspections. The Barrie Home Inspector has performed over 8,000 paid inspections and is a Certified Master Inspector. Many home inspectors also have certifications from other professional organizations that are related to the home inspection field. Roger Frost is a Certified Building Code Official with the Ontario Building Officials Association which indicates he is certified for both Part 9 and Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code. Knowledge and experience are the key prerequisites for a professional home inspection.
After interviewing your potential home inspectors ask for some past referrals or check on a creditable site such as Home Stars or Angie’s List. Visit your home inspector’s website and view a sample home inspection report. Note the detail and observations, are they what you would expect when you receive your report?
When booking your inspection, does your Home Inspector have lots of available time available, that in itself should be a red flag. Most professional home inspectors with experience are usually pretty busy and to hire a good one you will have to compromise on dates and times to book an inspection that suits all parties.
The Home Inspection
The big day has arrived for the Home Inspection. A savvy buyer will come prepared with a list of questions and notepad for any items of interest that may require further evaluation. Unfortunately most buyers quickly become bored with the time and detail needed to inspect a house and usually end up chatting with the Realtor. I would highly recommend that the home buyers stick to their home inspector and ensure that they are aware of significance of any deficiencies or controls that he or she may point out. At the end of the inspection you will get a detailed overview of the complete home inspection, including pictures of any items or interest or deficiencies. This is the time to go with your home inspector and ensure you understand the significance or potential cost for items identified. Failing to address item at inspection still leaves the option of addressing issue when your read your home inspection report. Most inspectors will cheerfully review your home inspection report with you if you have any questions.
If a deficiency is found by the inspector the consumer should obtain three quotes for the repairs from a reputable and insured contractor. The inspector will not provide estimates nor should they recommend companies to use.
Pre-Inspection for Sellers
Many home sellers end up receiving less from the sale of their home than they expected due to a major deficiency that was uncovered during the home inspection. This could easily been avoided if they had opted for a pre-home inspection. Even if no major deficiency is found, just the fact that the laundry list of little items that require doing can be eliminated from the buyers home inspection report can make it very worthwhile. Buyers could become nervous while listening to their home inspector drone on about missing caulking, cracks in asphalt pavement, exposed wood that requires painting, doors that need adjusting, holes in screens, loose boards on deck and the list can go on and on. These types of deficiencies are common but also very easy to repair or replace. When you go to a car lot, the cars are freshly washed and shiny, your home should be presented that way also, invest in a pre-inspection and make your sale go smoother and get the best price possible.