Questions You Should Ask
Do I need to be there for my home inspection?
We actually encourage you to attend. This is a valuable learning experience for most home buyers. It is the perfect opportunity to ask specific questions about the condition of the home. Also, where defects are identified, the engineer can discuss these so that you understand what repairs are required, when and at roughly what cost.
What should I expect at my home inspection?
A homebuyer should arrive at the home inspection with realistic expectations. If you are buying a 12-15 year old home, let’s face it, you may need a new roof covering. If you are buying a 60 year old home, you may have to update some plumbing. Don’t let this scare you away from a perfectly good home.
What does a home inspection include?
A thorough inspection of the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation and Interior. The goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical purchasers buying decision.
We will add significantly to your knowledge of the home, but still cannot tell you everything about the house. All home inspections are entirely visual. We do not perform destructive testing.The inspection and report will put you in a much better position to make your decision.
Do you do repairs or recommend contractors?
No. We are a company which specializes in building inspections. We consider it a conflict of interest for a home inspector to recommend or refer a contractor to perform repairs.
What will the home inspection cost?
Some factors will affect the fee. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the sole deciding factor, unless of course the level of service offered is identical.
We suspect the house you are buying is not the cheapest house, but rather a house that you feel represents good value. We urge you to choose your home inspector the same way.
How long will the inspection take?
A typical home inspection takes between 2 and 3 hours. Some older and/or larger homes can take longer. As a courtesy to the vendor, they should be informed of the time involved once the inspection is arranged.
What will my inspection report contain?
Your report will include images with descriptions of the defects and attributes of all of your home’s major systems and components, as well and general timelines for repair or improvement. The document is clear, descriptive and easy to understand. It will give you the facts you need to protect yourself from hidden costs and potential problems.