the inspection

The Process

The home inspection process is carried out in the same manner, regardless of what type of home or size it is by a fully qualified and certified professional inspector. I start outside, and where possible, send the drone up to 'look' at the condition of the roof and all the associated equipment that is up on top of the house (aerials; chimney; plumbing stack etc). If the drone can't be launched I will inspect the roof and equipment visually. I then look at the rest of the outside of the home including garage(s) and driveway, surrounding landscape, and doors; windows; ventilation and heating equipment such as heating fuel tanks etc. If you have made the decision to join me for the inspection, you don't need to be here for this first part of the inspection - I will show you everything on a recap walk around afterwards, or describe the results in our follow up meeting, if required. (This can often save you from getting wet!). This may take me up to an hour. 

The home inspection is an evaluation of the condition and performance of the systems and components of a home. The objective is to identify and report any items that are not performing their intended function and to identify major defects requiring expensive rectification over the short term, thereby providing the client with a better understanding of the present conditions of the property. While some deficiencies of lesser importance are addressed, an all-inclusive list of minor building flaws is not provided. The inspection is not intended to be a Building Code or Municipal Bylaw compliance inspection.

Each building has many identical components, such as electrical outlets and windows. A representative sample of these items will be checked. There simply is not enough time to check every individual item. 

It is beneficial to help me with the internal inspection of the house, and I encourage you to attend under 'normal' conditions. COVID-19 has changed the way we do things. Please read the COVID-19 page if you have not yet done so. 

This internal part of the inspection is when I can explain how things work, and where things are such as water main switches and emergency shut off switches etc. I do at least two walk-arounds of the inside - sometimes more. This part of the inspection can take two, to two and a half hours, in a 'standard' size home. I will give you  a verbal report at the end of the inspection, where I will let you know of any safety conditions that exist. I take extra photos now, and video if I think it will help, so that I can discuss any points of interest whilst undertaking the post inspection meeting, whether face-to-face or whether by Zoom; FaceTime or other virtual method.

The written report, whether it be a pre-purchase inspection report (for a buyer),  a maintenance inspection report (for the home owner), or a pre-sale inspection report (for a seller), will be delivered, normally within 24 hours via email. The report consists of a full description on the condition of the house systems checked, and any recommended or suggested improvements necessary or required. Any immediate safety concerns will head the report, and you will be told of these before you leave on inspection day verbally, or during the post-inspection virtual meeting. The home owner will only be informed if there is an existing condition that potentially endangers them immediately (such as a gas leak or things of that nature). The report belongs to you the client, and only you decide who has access to it. It cannot be used by anyone else for any reason, as it forms part of the contract between client and inspection company. The report itself, is held on a bespoke webpage where you can access it at any time. At the end of the report is your access to a 430 page Home Reference Book which is a $65 value. This reference book explains how every system in the house works and is a fantastic library to help the home owner understand their home and how it operates.