Your
Home Inspection...
And How To Make The Most Of It!
The
Inspection Process
Upon Arriving at the home, you will meet with your inspector.
Generally, the inspection follows a standard procedure designed
to make the most of the time available. The major systems
and/or components are usually inspected in the following order
starting with the exterior components and the roofing system.
From there, then into the basement where the structure, electrical,
heating/cooling, plumbing systems are inspected. From there
interior components are covered, with the attic space left
until last. Ideally you should remain on hand so that the
inspector can easily share and discuss any major repair items,
or maintenance concerns that are uncovered, and any questions
can be addressed as needed. An opportunity for an overall
question/answer period will be made available when the report
is presented at the end of the inspection.
Concluding
The Inspection
Once your inspector has completed the inspection, he will
need some time to finish writing the computer generated report.
Delivering a detailed and complete report is a vital part
of the inspection. The report will then be presented to you
and your Realtor if applicable. The inspector will go over
the report with you and will address any remaining questions
you might have. Payment is required at this time. The inspector
will then make a final pass through the home to make sure
it's left in its original state.
Information
The Home Inspector Should Know
Providing your home inspector with some key information will,
ultimately, help to make sure you get the most out of your
home inspection. Some things you should tell your inspector
are: How many people will be living in the house? Are any
of them elderly or children? Are you planning to renovate?
Will you undertake your own repairs, or hire a professional?
Are you planning on constructing a basement apartment? Has
the agent or seller disclosed any information about the home
and/or its related systems? Has the seller made available
warranties, past permits, or instruction manuals; or made
claims or warranted any system or component of the home (i.e.
the basement -or roof - does not leak)?
A
Home Inspection Is…
A home inspection is, basically, a comprehensive visual inspection
of the common components and systems of the home, with the
focus being on uncovering the major problems that may exist
on the day of the inspection. Although minor repairs and maintenance
items may be found while searching for major items, they are
included in the report only as a courtesy, and are not the
primary focus of the inspection. It should be pointed out
that the inspector, in the limited time available, can not
hope to uncover each and every item that may need repair or
servicing. The type of inspection necessary to ensure that
all defects are found would involve the dismantling of every
component and system in the house, would take many days to
complete, and would likely cost thousands of dollars.
A
Home Inspection Is Not…
It is also important to understand what a home inspection
is not. A home inspection is not, in any way, a warranty,
a guarantee,
A certification, an appraisal, a by-law inspection, an insurance
inspection, an engineering analysis or a building code inspection.
For
More Information
We hope this information has answered some of the questions
and/or concerns you may have. If you require more information
about our company, or the home inspection process in general,
please feel free to call or email us at your convenience.
|
