Is
it too expensive?
This is usually the first question or concern,
but it should be the last. The main
concerns should be the inspectors qualifications,
insurance, dependability. A cheaper inspector
may appear to save you money at the outset but
can prove to be a very costly mistake in the
long run.
Are you aware of what you are buying or selling?
An unbiased qualified insured home inspector
will ensure that the largest investment decision
of your lifetime...is a well informed one!
Purchasing a home is a huge investment in your
future. When you consider the possible unforeseen
outlay of expenses when purchasing or selling
a home or cottage ( real estate costs, lawyer’s
fees, mortgage broker fees, surveys, appraisal
fees, moving costs, unexpected major repair
problems, renovations, etc,) the price of an
efficient Home Inspection is not expensive.
The cost of a Home Inspection for a buyer would
possibly lower the purchase price to compensate
for any major problems found. As a seller, you
will be made aware of any major repairs you
may want to make before you list with a Real
Estate Agent, to ensure you receive top value
for your home or cottage.
Do
I really need it?
Yes! Having a Home Inspector investigate
a home you may be considering purchasing or selling
would alleviate unforseen problems you may not
be able to detect for yourself . If you are involved
in buying or selling a home or cottage, it is
impossible for you to remain completely unemotional.
Beyond the technical expertise and experience
a professional Inspector brings, it is important
to remember that the Inspector remains an impartial
third party.
Currently, there is no required licencing
or insurance for home inspectors and
many tradesman are performing these inspections.
There are many professionals involved with real-estate
transactions that have their clients best interest
at the forefront, providing expertise in their
own fields.
There are however, professionals that will overlook
or not disclose serious problems to a third party.
A qualified Home Inspector is an unbiased mediator,
working only on your behalf, required to uphold
their set of standards practice and code of ethics.
Therefore by hiring an insured, licenced, qualified
and reliable home inspector you will be buying
security for your investment.
Are
they really deal breakers or alarmist?
There are a few home inspectors labelled
as “deal breakers or alarmists” but
they are certainly a minority. The onus is usually
on the condition of the home, and not the inspector
when he reports his findings upon completion of
the home inspection. When this becomes a problem,
the Inspector, the real estate agent, the lawyer,
etc. go over the list with you using discretion
dealing with important issues. We must remember
in reality NO home is perfect and we must see
beyond some of the insignificant or cosmetic areas
pointed out.
How
do I find the right home inspector?
Your Home Inspector should be certified, insured
and knowledgeable with the building industry
and other systems required to ensure that your
home or cottage function properly. Currently Home
Inspectors are not required to be certified or
insured.
A professional, reliable home inspector should
be Insured, giving you added protection and security
when purchasing, selling, assessing a home or
cottage. Many inspectors do not think insurance
is necessary - this is a big mistake.
It is important that your Home Inspector belongs
to professional home inspection organizations
and associations such as AHIT and NACHI, North
America’’s largest Home Inspector
Organizations. Your inspector must adhere to their
high standards and abide by their Standards
of Practice and
Code
of Ethics.
To perform a thorough, knowledgeable and reliable
Inspection on your behalf, a qualified inspector
would have received hundreds of hours of intensive
training, testing and met required criteria.
The home inspector should provide you with a comprehensive,
thorough report on site, describing what was inspected
and the condition of each inspected item. The
inspector should take the time to go over the
report with you to ensure any questions you may
have are answered to your understanding and satisfaction.
A good home inspector will follow up with you
and encourage you to contact him at any time if
you have any other questions or concerns. The
inspector should also supply your real estate
agent, lawyer or mortgage broker a copy of the
complete report, if you request it.
The best Home Inspectors are unbiased and sometimes
labelled by some agents as "Deal Breakers".
Someone with this reputation is most likely to
provide the most thorough and comprehensive home
inspection report.
Although you may think you are saving money by
hiring by the lowest price inspector in your area,
you may pay a higher cost later with overlooked
or undetected problems that may arise. Usually
the best inspectors are not the cheapest. A thorough
and experienced home inspector is the best route
to take.
Is
mold and air quality really that much of a problem?
Due to the shortage of oil, natural gas
and electricty, etc, the construction industry
has changed their methods of conserving energy.
It is now common practice to make homes air tight
by heavily insulating and wrapping the exterior
with a vapour barrier to the point of causing
detrimental ventilation issues, therefore possibly
causing the potential of mold growth and other
environment
issues.
Not all people are sensitive to molds, but when
they are, exposure to mold can cause various health
issues. If any concerns arise, having a mold or
air quality Inspection completed by a well trained
Inspector may save you from excessive costs in
dealing with, controlling, or removing these health
hazards.
Here you can find a brief
introduction to mold
resources and read what the EPA reports.
