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The Importance of Hiring a Home Inspector

2011-01-06 | 03:55:47

It is always a good idea to have the home you are buying inspected by a knowledgeable and professional home inspector. The inspector will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. When you receive the home inspection report, you and your real estate agent will have to discuss whether the condition of the home warrants withdrawing your offer to purchase or how the required repairs may affect the sale price that was agreed upon.

The home inspector’s role is to inform you about the property’s condition. The home inspector will tell you if something is not functioning properly, needs to be changed or is unsafe. You will also be informed of repairs that need to be made and maybe even where there may have been problems in the past.

Every inspection should include a visual assessment of at least the following:

* Foundation * Doors and windows

* Roof and exterior walls

* Attics * Plumbing and electrical systems (where visible)

* Heating and air conditioning systems

* Ceilings, walls and floors

* Insulation (where visible)

* Ventilation

* Septic tanks, wells or sewer lines (if inspector is qualified)

* Any other buildings such as a detached garage

* The lot, including drainage away from buildings, slopes and natural vegetation

* Overall opinion of structural integrity of the buildings

* Common areas (in the case of a condominium/strata or co-operative)

There is presently no mandatory certification and no legislated requirements for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a home inspector. However, a good home and property inspector generally belongs to a provincial or industry association. For more information about the home inspection industry's voluntary National Certification Program, visit the National Certification Authority's website at http://www.nca-anc.com/. A strong referral to a Home Inspector from your Realtor, Mortgage Broker, Lawyer or any other industry professional may also be a good way of finding a reputable Home Inspector.

Home inspector fees are generally usually around $500 depending on the size and condition of the home. CMHC has an online checklist that you can print and use while going through your home inspection. You can this checklist via the following link - Dominion Lending Toronto Home Inspection Checklist

Ultimately, hiring a good qualified home inspector can potentially save you a lot of money in costs involved with repairs to a home once you have made your purchase. Due diligence should be applied when hiring a good home inspector because hiring a good one can save you thousands in unexpected costs in the future.