Buying a home will probably be the biggest purchase of your life. Therefore it pays to have a good inspection done by a qualified inspector.  Here are few tips to aid in your decision.

Choose an inspector after independent research and try to check out more than one. If a real estate agent recommends an inspection, most will offer three names of inspectors to avoid any possible conflict. Stay away from people who also fix and repair houses on the side or are part-time inspectors. Inspectors should belong to a creditable association(s) although in our experience membership in any association is no guarantee of competence. Such associations are The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI),  or The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI). It is important to verify the inspector's qualifications. In the early '70s, many home inspectors were engineers or architects, but that is not the case today. Some will  have professional engineering or architectural qualifications, or technician diplomas. Some simply have a background in construction. Some official sounding titles are not what they seem as some groups will, for a fee, mail a certificate after passing an online exam. This my opinion necessitates the need for the Provincial Government to licence home inspectors to ensure public confidence in the inspection profession, to ensure all home inspectors meet a minimum standard and that governance of home inspectors should not be a self regulating one over seen by other inspectors.

The profession is swamped with inspectors who graduate from 2 week home inspection courses, this unfortunately does not ensure quality. There is no legislation in Ontario that requires licensing or any form of registration. Looking for an inspector who has graduated from a recognized college with a Certificate in Home Inspection is a good choice in your research. Call and ask what the inspectors standards of practice and codes of ethics are, and ask to have copies. Experience also counts. Ask how long the inspector has been inspecting, the longer in practice is a good gage, as experience in this business is a great teacher. Also what type of structures the inspector is comfortable inspecting.

Ask for several references from independent sources and/or former customers of the inspectors you contact. You should not be met with opposition to this request. 

Before you hire a home inspector, ask him what percentage of his business comes from word-of-mouth and what percentage comes from Realtors. The higher the percentage of word-of-mouth referrals, the greater the likelihood that the inspector will be working for the homebuyer rather than the Realtor. Does the inspector actively solicit Realtors for their business?

A home inspection should take two to three hours (larger homes take longer, as do homes with many systems) and the purchaser should attend. This is an excellent time for the purchaser to find the ins and outs of the home they are considering. 

Costs for inspections range from $350 to $500 and up.  You get what you pay for in this business because the market is saturated with inspectors which equals more competition amongst inspectors and a wide variance in pricing. There is also a wide latitude in advertising and marketing of home inspection businesses. Inspectors or their companies making statements such as the largest inspection company,  most thorough, the best report, we do more inspections than anyone else, the most comprehensive, or claims that over 1,600 items are inspected are just plain deceptive. These are misleading statements and do not reflect on the quality or assurance of inspections. Unfortunately this is another area in the inspection profession that is sadly not monitored for misleading advertising, and no association has a standard for proper advertising protocols.

The inspector should produce a written report detailing the condition of the structure, heating, plumbing and wiring systems and the exterior of the building. It should say what work is needed; set priorities for repairs and in some instances give rough estimates on costs. It should be detailed yet easy to understand. And the inspector should be available to answer any questions you have subsequently.

Generally, a home inspection does not cover interior decorating or problems that could be detected only by knocking down or punching holes in walls it is visual in nature.

I look forward to receiving your calls of inquiry regarding any aspect of  your home inspection needs.

Thank you for visiting!

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