For most of us, buying a home in PEI will be the biggest purchase we ever make. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you may accidentally find yourself in a home that was poorly built or maintained – and making a lot of unexpected, expensive repairs.
Buying a home can be a gamble, but it doesn’t have to be. The way to lower your risk of buying a home that’s a lemon is by hiring the services of a good home inspection company.
Buying a Home in Prince Edward Island with Confidence
We always recommend getting a home inspection before buying a home or before renovating. There is no refund when you buy a home. If you buy without an inspection, and a month later you find evidence of water damage, you can’t go back to the previous owner and get your money back.
A home maintenance inspection will also point out issues with your home early on, before repair costs start climbing up. You’re on the hook for a potentially expensive repair bill.
Should I Hire a Home Inspector in PEI?
When you look at all the costs that come with buying a home, spending a few hundred dollars on a home inspection is a drop in the bucket compared to what you’re spending overall.
Even if you end up paying to inspect a few homes, at the end of the day, that’s still a fraction of the cost of your total purchase price. Those extra costs upfront could keep you from making some unexpected repairs down the line. It’s worth it.
Certified Home Inspectors in PEI – Prince Edward Island
Not all home inspectors are created equal – your uncle Bob who’s bought a few houses can’t do the same job that a professional home inspector will. If you want peace of mind, you should hire the best. Mike Holmes Inspectors stay up to date with the latest industry-best practices and use the best tools to make your inspection as complete as possible.
What does this mean for you? It means a better, more thorough home inspection. Your Mike Holmes Inspector will check all the major systems in your home to check if they’re in working order and provide a thorough, professional home inspection report that details every aspect of your home and is easy to read and understand.
Many inspectors also come from extensive construction or engineering backgrounds. That sure beats your uncle Bob. If you’re buying a home in PEI (Prince Edward Island), you’ll want a Mike Holmes Inspection.
The best time to hire your home inspector is at the same time you’re looking for your real estate agent. Often, a real estate agent may have a home inspector they already have a good relationship with. You are under no obligation to use the inspector your agent provides, and we recommend doing your own research to find an inspector that you trust.
Click here to book an inspection today.
What do Home Inspectors in PEI Check for?
A good home inspection will take several hours. This is so the inspector can get a detailed look of the state of the home on the date of the inspection.
If the inspector you contact thinks they can complete an inspection in 20 minutes, find a different inspector. You want one who understands they need to take the time to inspect a home thoroughly and properly. That’s how you get your money’s worth.
If possible, you should be on site for your home inspection in PEI. Why? This is a good chance to see the home through the inspector’s eyes and ask them any questions you have directly about the state of the home.
Your home inspection should include the following structural components:
Exterior Home Inspection in PEI
- Foundation
- Grading
- Water drainage and disbursement
- Roof
- Chimney
- Waste systems such as the septic tank
- Porches, decks, and patios
- Garages and carports
- Landscaping
Interior Home Inspection in PEI
- Plumbing
- Electrical system
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air condition systems (HVAC)
- Attics
- Water drainage and disbursement
- Window and doors
- Basements and crawlspaces
- Ceilings
- Kitchen appliances
- Bathrooms
- Fire safety
What Typically Isn’t Included in your Home Inspection?
There is a bit of variation on what each home inspector will look for, but you typically wouldn’t expect a regular inspection to cover a few areas. For the following areas, you would need to bring in a specialized professional. Here’s what you generally won’t see covered by a home inspection:
- Pest control
- Radon gas. However, if you purchase an indoor air quality inspection, this will be covered by your Mike Holmes Inspections team
- Swimming pools
- Asbestos. Testing for asbestos typically involves sending a sample of the material to an accredited asbestos laboratory. You would need the current homeowners permission to remove a piece of the home to be sent for testing.
- Indoor air quality. This can be purchased as a separate service to test for mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and radon gas.
- Venting equipment with household appliances
- Swimming pools
Do you live in Prince Edward Island or are looking to buy your next in PEI? Our Mike Holmes Inspections team is ready to help guide you through the process. Book your inspection today.
