By Gerard Yeu | Submitted On August 26, 2007
What is a home inspection:
A home inspection is a comprehensive and objective visual examination of the condition of a house, its overall physical structure, major systems and components, from the roof to the foundation. The standard home inspector’s report will cover the heating system, central air conditioning system, interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure.
Before you buy a home, sell a home or do a renovation on a home, you should seriously consider hiring a certified home inspector. A home inspector can provide you with important information you need to know about the condition of the house. More information means an informed decision which means fewer surprises. You may save from unexpected costs.
Buying a home:
If you are buying a home, an inspection report will tell you what repair and maintenance need to be done on the property. With this information you will be able to negotiate the cost of fixing the problems in the purchase price.
Selling a home:
You may ask why do a home inspection if you are selling your home. It does cost you a couple hundred dollars but the benefit is that a prospective buyer will appreciate that you have nothing to hide about the condition of the house. This voluntary disclosure of facts by a professional licensed inspector will help the buyer make a quicker and informed decision whether or not to buy the property. The quicker you sell the house and receive the money the more you save on interest. The interest saving will more than cover your inspection fee.
Renovating a home:
If you are renovating, a pre-renovation inspection will be money well spent because it will point out to you well in advance the condition of the house and what need to be fixed. You will have a chance to know what need to be done, a chance to set up your budget accurately and a chance to prioritize the repairs and maintenance.
What a home inspector do:
A properly trained inspector will review your house as a system. He will look at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. If a component is not performing properly he will identify that component as an item that are beyond their usefulness or may be unsafe.
Selecting a home inspector:
When selecting a home inspector it is important to look for someone with the right professional qualifications, objectivity and experience. You do not want a home inspector who will solicit repair work. Look for inspectors who are member of a professional home inspector’s association, such as:
The Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI) at:
http://www.cahpi.ca
The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) at:
http://www.nachi.org
Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) at:
http://www.oahi.com
British Columbia Institute of Property Inspectors (BCIPI) at:
http://bcipi.asttbc.org/
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