A home inspection essentially helps you find any structural defects or other faults that need rectifying in a house before you purchase it so that once you move in, you’re not left surprised by a sudden leak or finding mold on the walls. While there are several questions pertaining to a undertaking a home inspection that may cross a client’s mind, they often find answers difficult to come by.

At Elementary Property Inspections, we believe in equipping you with all the necessary information required about the need for a home inspection, so that you can make informed decisions. To do this, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about home inspection.

1. What is included in a home inspection?

A home inspection will consist of a full inspection of the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, interior, exterior, insulation, attic and several other aspects of buildings. We’re looking for improper building practices, items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues including smoke alarms. All defects and maintenance issues will then be described in detail, photographed, and included in the report which is provided to our clients to aid them in their decision-making process.

2. How long does a home inspection take?

A home inspection generally takes about two and half hours to complete from start to finish for an average home in size and age. However, some homes that are larger, show extensive signs of a problem, or are older, may take more time to put the whole picture together. Clients should be aware of these time frames in order to be available for the inspection. It also gives the client a chance to be part of the inspection process, ask questions and is the best way to “Know Your Home”.

3. Should I be present for the home inspection?

Yes, I encourage you to attend the entire inspection. There are always items in the inspection that can best be explained on-site. I will include them in the report of course, but your presence at the property always makes it easier for you to understand important information about the property.

It also gives you two and a half to three hours in the home. This allows you the opportunity to feel comfortable with your choice and refresh your memory after a busy “home hunting” schedule. You will have a chance to see first-hand the maintenance requirements and discuss any areas of concern before you buy. Attendance at your home inspection is strongly recommended as there is no perfect home and you will learn first-hand how to look after your investment.

4. Do you check appliances?

Yes. We check to see if they are operational when the appliances are included in the purchase.

We are committed to raising the standards of your home inspection. That’s why we offer FREE RecallCheks for your home appliances with every inspection we do.

RecallChek is the first service for consumer recalls in Canada and has compiled over 205 million recalls from public records, to create a fail-safe system to check for dangerous flaws with home appliances.

If a manufacturer designs a dangerous product, they MUST recall that item and fix it free of charge! RecallChek will provide the information to resolve any potential recall issues promptly.

5. Can we contact you after the inspection?

Absolutely! We welcome your call with any questions or concerns regarding the inspection report. At Elementary Property Inspections, we pride ourselves on great service, which is why even after you have moved into your new home, we are here to help.

6. Should my realtor get a copy of the inspection report?

It’s up to you to decide as you’ve purchased the report. We do not discuss or disclose any of our findings without your permission. You own the document. However, there may be a benefit in sharing the information with your realtor who can determine if any items in the report are significant enough to warrant re-negotiation, a change in pricing or a request for repair quotes. Having your realtor review the report also ensures that you both are “on the same page” at the closing.

7. What if you find asbestos during an inspection?

Older buildings may have asbestos in pipe wrap, around ductwork, as insulation on an old boiler, in the vinyl floor tile, or linoleum underlay, in mortar and drywall compound, in sidings, etc. Experience is helpful in identifying a suspect material, but it is not possible to determine by visual inspection alone whether the material will test positive for asbestos without laboratory confirmation. If a building material is suspect, Elementary Property Inspections is certified and qualified to have a sample tested. If you are buying, this can help avoid surprises and possibly allow for a renegotiation.

If you have any more questions about home inspection, get in touch withElementary Property Inspections. We focus on helping you understand safety, structural and mechanical system issues with your house. To learn more about home inspection services that we provide, please click here. For information on mold and asbestos testing, please click here.