Your Home Inspection
When you hire a home inspector to perform a home inspection you usually will be asked to read and sign a Pre-Inspection agreement which states what a home inspector is and is not responsible for inspecting. This is a standard boiler plate type of document that is typically modified to suit each inspectors qualifications and experience. In the pre-inspection agreement there is usually a reference to the Standards of Practice for the organization that that particular home inspector belongs to. View Barrie Home Inspector’s Standards of Practice
A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.
NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors) Standards of Practice states, ” A general home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property (as delineated below), performed for a fee, which is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components defined by these Standards that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector. The scope of work may be modified by the Client and Inspector prior to the inspection process. The general home inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions. The general home inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.
The typical Standard of Practice places Limitations, Exceptions and Exclusions on the Home Inspection. Some of the most important ones of note are: Asbestos, Radon, Formaldehyde, Wood Destroying Organisms, Rodents and Lead. There are many more but the list is pretty exhaustive.
The home inspection report will list items that are defective or in need of service or maintenance. The Barrie Home Inspector includes a picture of every item that requires service, maintenance or replacement in the home inspection report. Ensuring the client understands the importance of any particular deficiency is just as important as noting the deficiency.
Many clients want a repair estimate on any item that is noted as being defective in the home inspection report. Most home inspectors will not give a firm estimate on any repair cost due to the fluctuation of labor rates between service personnel. It would be impossible to quote the cost of service call when you do not know the per hour rate and even how fast that particular tradesperson performs his tasks. Some home buyers may want to request that the home seller repair some deficiencies prior to completing the sale. While this may look good on paper a buyer would be better served to get an estimate from a qualified person and negotiate that cost from the sale price, as the home owner may just hire the cheapest person to make repair. It is better to hire your own individual and even supervise repair to ensure it is done to your satisfaction.
SPIS (Seller Property Information Statement) is one of the best ways homebuyers can protect themselves from buying a house that has known issues, such as flooding when it rains hard or hidden moisture in the walls. While a SPIS is not required for the sale of a home, OREA considers including one with the listing is good practice. A seller can be held responsible for issues found after the sale of the home if they did not disclose an issue that was not visible or found during a home inspection. Read more about SPIS
Your Realtor is also bound by their Code of Ethics to disclose any concern that they are aware of. To find out more info on SPIS and Realtors visit the Barrie Home Inspector.
Attending the Home Inspection is the best advice any Home Inspector can give you. Following your Home Inspector as he inspects and explains what he is looking at is valuable knowledge about your new home. You will learn about all the major systems of your home and any potential areas where maintenance is required. Attending the inspection and having a fully documented home inspection report will allow you to make any required repairs and identify areas where you should be providing the required maintenance to keep your home in good condition.
Many times at a home inspection the sellers will leave out their previous home inspection report for review. The majority of maintenance defects noted in the home inspection report will typically not have been repaired. This is really a waste of a valuable resource and home owners should take advantage of the expertise and knowledge of their home inspector and repair any listed deficiencies.