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All About Home Inspections
House sales without an inspection report are rare these days. Yet, just 25 years ago, it was rare that anyone even bothered to have one. Two factors conspired to create a market for house inspections:
- The discovery that 1970s-era aluminum wiring could be problematic without installation of copper tails
- The banning of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation
Buyers wanted an expert to warn them of these and other possible structural and mechanical problems, which can go undetected without a home inspection. It soon became apparent that home inspections were becoming an essential part of buying a home. To meet this need and provide consistent professional standards and practices, the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors was formed in 1982. The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) is the CAHPI member in Ontario and was formed in 1987.
Inspectors help you determine whether to fork out the money for the biggest, most expensive purchase of your life.
Once you put down your money, the house is yours, along with repair bills, renovations and general upkeep. You want the best information possible to help you decide whether you're doing the right thing.
As the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. puts it, inspectors look at a home as a system, at how one component of the house affects the operation or lifespan of another.
Outside, the inspector will ascertain how old the roof is, whether eves and downspouts are operating and whether drainage is adequate.
Inside, the CMHC says, the inspector checks electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, floors, ceiling and wall finishes, windows and doors.
A good inspector welcomes a tag-along buyer. They want the buyer to be well informed, and encourage questions. Sometimes a buyer will ask about something the inspector may not even notice.
Depending on the type and size of the home to be inspected, the cost will generally range between $300 and $400. There are extras though. Among others, there will be additional costs to have inspections for such specifics as radon gas, mould, and well water quality.
The inspector won't tell a buyer what to do. They are there to point out the cold, hard facts and allow the buyer to make an informed decision as to the structural/mechanical integrity of the home. Ultimately, the decision to purchase - or not - is purely the buyer's.
Hiring An Inspector
When searching for a qualified home inspector there are a number of factors to consider. Choose wisely and you'll benefit in the long run.
Word of Mouth
Experience
Qualifications
Proof
References
Fees
Night Owls
The Report
Word of Mouth
Real estate agents or friends can offer prospective names. Check web sites (such as CAHPI, OAHI) and telephone pages.
Experience
Ask how long the inspector has been in business and how many inspections they have completed.
Qualifications
Ask about schools attended and courses taken. Find out as much as you can about your inspector's background, whether in engineering, construction, or building trades.
Proof
Ask to see proof of an inspector's membership in the provincial association - OAHI
References
Make sure your inspector can provide you with references, then follow-up on them. Also ensure the inspector is not associated with any construction or house-related trade. Their professional code of conduct prevents them from being associated with these types of businesses. They can provide you with their opinion about required work and costs, but always obtain independent quotes before getting the work done.
Fees
Does the inspector solicit, receive, or give referral fees? If so, find someone else.
Night Owls
The CMHC advises against night time inspections. Some outside defects could remain undetected.
The Report
Following the inspection, the inspector should give you a verbal report, then provide a detailed written report within 24 hours. The report will generally include information and assessments of the following components of the house:
Exterior
- Roofs
- Flashing
- Gutters
- Chimneys
- Downspouts
- Wall surfaces
- Foundations
- Grading
Interior
- Electrical
- Heating
- Air conditioning
- Ventilation
- Plumbing
- Insulation
- Flooring
- Ceiling and wall finishes
- Windows and doors
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