Question and Answers

How long does a home inspection take?
A typical inspection should take 2 to 3 hours to complete. This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, I recommend that they be informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.

What do you look at?
I inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior. My goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical buyer's decision to purchase.

How much does an inspection cost?
My typical fee for an inspection is $400.00. However, some factors will affect the fee. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the deciding factor unless the level of service offered is identical. Remember, you are considering a major purchase and your choice of home inspector should be based on getting the best value, not just the best price.

What is included in the fee?

• Complete home inspection conducted by an experienced professional.
• Comprehensive written home inspection report.
• Technical support for as long as you own your home.
•  

Can I follow along?
Definitely. I encourage you to attend. The inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers.'

Do I have to take notes?
You don't have to take notes during the inspection. I will document everything in a written report. It's much better to follow the inspector through, listening to his comments to make sure you understand. It's also a great opportunity to ask questions and to clarify anything that confuses you.

Can I ask questions?
Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home. You should also feel free to stop me and ask questions as you go. If my comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for further explanation.

What should I wear?
You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 2 1/2 hours walking through the home with the inspector. You won't have to climb on the roof or go into the attic, so your clothes won't get dirty.

Can I bring my family?
I recommend that you not bring your family; this is a technical evaluation, and you should focus on my comments - the fewer distractions, the better.

Do I get a written report? When?
You do receive a written report. It would be unfair to ask you to remember all of the things I cover during a home inspection. The report includes a summary of the condition of the home and details on all the major systems of the home. It is delivered within 24 hours after the inspection.

If it's really bad, will you tell us not to buy the house?
No. My goal is to report on the condition of the house, indicating potential repairs and expenses. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not you buy the house. The home inspection is very important but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Only you know all of the factors at play.

Do you offer a warranty on the house?
A home inspection is a professional opinion based on less-than-complete information. It's a little like getting a check-up from your doctor: It improves your odds of good health but there is no guarantee or warranty.

Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house - they cannot be discovered during a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak when people use the shower but don't leak when you simply turn on the shower. Some roofs and basements only leak when specific weather conditions exist. Some problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved or finishes are removed. As such, I cannot and do not offer a warranty on the house.

Home warranty programs are available from others. I would be happy to help you contact a warranty company.

I also keep my skills current with continuing education programs both through the company and on my own.

Are you members of an association?
Yes, I am a member of OOWA and Ontario ACHI

How many days notice do I need to give you?
I am ready to serve you quickly. However, when the sale of a home is conditional on the results of a home inspection, I recommend that you allow at least two days to arrange for a home inspection.