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FAQs
At About The House - Home Inspection we do our best to answer all of your questions. Below you will find a list of what we believe are the most frequently asked questions. If you have any questions that have not been answered below, do not hesistate to contact us.
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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, we recommend that they be informed of the time frame in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.
We inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior. Our goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical buyer's decision to purchase. All inspections are completed in accordance with the "Standards of Practice" of The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors.
Our typical fee for an inspection is within the range of $350-$500. Some factors that will affect the fee are location, the style of home, it's size, condition, and age. 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.
- A complete home inspection conducted by a qualified and experienced Home Inspector. (subject to the limitations and exclusions described in the CAHPI Standards of Practice).
- A comprehensive electronic home inspection report, complete with relevant photos, usually delivered the same day.
- Technical support for as long as you own your home.
Definitely. We encourage you to attend. The inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers.
You don't have to take notes during the inspection. We will document everything in our 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.
Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home. You should also feel free to stop the inspector and ask questions as you go. If the inspector's comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for further explanation.
You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 2 1/2 hours walking through the home with the inspector.
We recommend that you not bring your family but it's certainly not prohibited; this is a technical evaluation, and you should focus on the inspector's comments - the fewer distractions, the better.
Yes, the report includes a summary of the condition of the home and details on all the major systems and components. As well, we address the concerns of statistical average remaining life expectancy of components, recommended home maintenance, and an estimate of replacement and renovation costs.
View a sample of the electronic report. The report includes graphics, photos, and links to a great deal of information including recommended home maintenance, replacement costs, as well as estimates for home renovations.
No. Our 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.
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, we cannot and do not offer a warranty on the house.
Our inspectors satisfy all of the requirements for membership in the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors including education, technical background, the reqirements for ongoing training and education, We conduct our inspections in accordance with the Association's Standard of Practice and adhere to a Professional Code of Ethics established by the Association.
We are ready to serve you quickly. However, when the sale of a home is conditional on the results of a home inspection, we recommend that you allow at least two or three days to arrange for a home inspection. Sometimes we can accomodate with less notice depending upon the time of year and work load.