Need a Good Home Inspection? Here Is What Should Be Included
Buying a home will probably be the biggest purchase of your life. Be smart, do your homework and protect yourself. Get a good home inspection and always be present during the inspection. So, what is a good home inspection and what is included?
Let’s start with a little more detail about home inspections-what a home inspection is, what it should do for you, and the reasons why home inspections aren’t always successful. In other words, let’s talk about what you really need to know to protect the biggest investment of your life.
Things to Know Before A Home Inspection
Home inspectors should provide the reality check that almost every buyer needs. They help you look beyond the surfaces of the house you’re considering. They tell you about the condition of the plumbing, the electrical system, the structure, the foundation, the windows, the roof…you get the picture.
Your home inspection and what is included in it will vary based on who you hire. A qualified home inspector with experience in the industry should be thorough with your home. They should have specialized equipment to inspect your house. If they are doing a roof inspection, they should have the proper equipment to provide visibility.
Your Home Inspection Report
A good home inspector should be providing you with a detailed report documenting everything they inspected in your house. READ the report!! Make sure you read it thoroughly and understand everything the inspector is telling you about your house and its condition. You can go over the home inspection report with your real estate agent to decide how the issues found may affect the purchase of the potential home.
Be There For Your Home Inspection
Be present for your home inspection. It may give you the chance to hear comments that are not included in the final report or to ask spur-of-the-moment questions. Chances are you may still have some issues, but the major deficiencies should be revealed so you can make the best purchasing decision.
An Inspection is Not A Warranty
By law, home inspectors are not responsible for any problems that arise after you buy the house. Their responsibility is limited to what they can see on that particular day. So when it comes to buying a house, it really is a case of “buyer beware”.
What Does a Home Inspection Include?
You should expect a thorough assessment of total home health and performance. Your home inspection should guide you to buy better, sell better or improve better.
A home inspector should take several hours to complete a detailed walk-through of the home you’re looking to buy. Most importantly, the inspector will provide an objective opinion on the home’s condition. Here is typically what is included in a home inspection:
Exterior Home Inspection
Typically, these items are included in a home inspection.
- Foundation
- Grading
- Garage or carport (if applicable)
- Roof, attic, and chimney(s) (if applicable). Many home inspection companies offer a roof inspection as a separate item.
- Exterior water drainage and water disbursement
- Waste systems as applicable (septic systems in a rural area or have an older home)
- Porches, decks, and patios. You can also schedule a deck inspection on its own if you suspect your deck has issues.
- Landscaping as applicable
Interior Home Inspection
- Plumbing
- Electrical system
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems (HVAC)
- Kitchen appliances
- Fire safety
- Bathrooms
- Interior water drainage and water disbursement
- Flooring quality
- Noxious gases
- Windows and doors
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Ceilings
What Are The Things That Are Not Typically Included In A Home Inspection?
There is variation of what home inspectors look for, but there are areas that are generally not covered by a home inspection. If you suspect you have an issue in one of these areas, you will need to bring in a professional specializing in the area. Here are a few of the things they do not generally inspect:
- Pest control,
- Swimming pools,
- Asbestos. The only way to know for sure if a material or product contains asbestos is to submit a sample of the material for testing to an accredited asbestos laboratory.
- Radon gas. Typically, this is included in an Indoor Air Quality home inspection package.
- Venting equipment with household appliances,
- Indoor air quality. This is usually purchased as a standalone service and will include testing for mold, VOCs and radon gas.
- Lead paint and
- Toxic mold.
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What Is Included In a Home Inspection report?
A good home inspection report is extensive, containing checklists, summaries, photographs and notes. Hold on to this report. Your home inspection report should include photos and comments about the systems, exterior condition and structure of your house. It should also include whether or not the appliances work, the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems work and what conditions they are in.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Home Inspected in Ontario?
This depends on the home inspector and the company they work for. The cost of a home inspection in Ontario can range anywhere from $300 to $1,200, depending on the package you pick.
Our inspection services are offered in the Greater Toronto area, including Mississauga, Etobicoke, Pickering, Whitby, Ottawa, Burlington, Oakville and Vaughan. We also offer home inspections in Halifax!
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How To Find a Good Home Inspector
Luckily for many homebuyers, there are really good home inspectors working in the field who will give you solid information and advice. If you are lucky, you will hire one who used to be a building inspector or worked in construction. Our Mike Holmes Inspectors are fully trained and qualified professionals with years of experience in the industry.
Questions To Ask Your Home Inspector
When you are looking for a home inspector, ask the following questions before you make the decision:
- How long do your inspections take?
- Do you take pictures of the house and add them to your report?
- How many years’ experience as a home inspector do you have?
- What kind of tools do you use in your inspection?
- What kind of report do you provide?
Stay away from home inspectors insisting on cash payments ONLY. Cash is not traceable.
Mike Holmes Trained Home Inspectors
When you schedule a home inspection with Mike Holmes Inspections, you get a certified and trained professional conducting a thorough visual examination and assessment to ensure your current or future home is built right.
Every inspection goes beyond the industry standard and uses premium equipment and specialized training so that what the inspector sees, you see. The result? PEACE OF MIND.
Book your home inspection in Halifax, Ontario and Edmonton with a Mike Holmes Inspector!
A thorough home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs — or from unwittingly buying a money pit. Good home inspectors are worth their weight in gold. They will help you make an informed decision about the house you are investing in. With all the facts at your disposal, you can negotiate a fair price, set a realistic budget for repairs or move on. Now that you know what is included in a home inspection, you can hire the right pro!
