THE BENEFITS OF HOME INPECTIONS

A home inspection is an assessment of the physical condition of the house. A home inspection is an important part of selling or buying a property.

Some homeowners if they have lived in the property for several years or the property is older, may call in an inspector every few years to check their homes. This routine allows the owner to deal with home safety concerns as well as plan a repair schedule for current damages. The information is also valuable for analyzing the current value of a property.

In the pressure of a competitive housing market where bidding wars on properties are frequent. Some buyers’ waiver the right to a home inspection. If this is the case consider bringing a home inspector with you to the home before the offer date or ask the seller if there is a pre-inspection report on the home.

 It is important to get the home inspected before you purchase the home. You don’t want to fall in love with your dream home and find out later that the home has a number of problems in structural, foundation, heating, plumbing, electrical, or insulation.  Even with newer homes, or ones that look flawless to the eye, you'll never know what lies beneath the surface unless you hire a registered home inspection to check it out for you.  

Home inspections generally cost in a range of $500 - $800 and takes about 3 hours. Hiring a professional home inspector is a small investment of your time and money. But, it's well worth it because you won’t have costly, unexpected surprises and you defiantly want to safe-guard your purchase.

What exactly is a home inspection and what does a home inspector look for?

A professional home inspector will check the condition of the structure of the home, looks for safety issues, and assess all the home’s major systems.

They will look at the exterior of the home such as the roof, foundation, balconies, joists, walls, and the overall condition of the home. Inspectors will also check the entire interior of the home, including the electrical, plumbing, insulation, and look for signs of water damage, any bug or rodent infestations, and any general safety hazards.

Home inspectors will also look at the quality of your home appliances to make sure they function properly and that they adhere to the government code.

They may also look at a home's energy efficiency. This includes determining if a home has adequate insulation in the walls, if the windows and doors have proper weather stripping, and whether or not the appliances in the home are energy-efficient. A home that is lacking in any of these areas can lead to high utility bills.

At the end of the inspection, the inspector will give you a written report, and go over the homes issues and concerns. The report may include estimated costs for repairs and replacements. The inspector will not tell you whether or not you should buy the house, it is the decision you make based off of the report.

What are some of the benefits of getting a home inspection?

It can give you leverage in the negotiations. If there are major issues and large costs with the house, this may change your mind about what you feel is a fair price. Things like a leaky roof, a cracked foundation, or outdated appliances can cost thousands of dollars. Being aware can build them into your offer and offering less than the seller’s asking price.

A home inspection can bring you peace of mind about buying a house. Houses are expensive, and knowing your investment is in good shape can give you peace of mind and ensure you all big repairs are good for a while.

You can negotiate any repairs before closing. A home inspection report lets you know if anything needs to be fixed or replaced. You can then either decide if you want to ask the seller to fix the repairs or have the seller lower the asking price. That way you’ll have money to pay for it yourself.

You can set realistic expectations about how much work the home really needs. Sometimes the look of a house can be deceiving. A home inspector can see the big-ticket repairs and help you prioritize what needs the most attention. It also gives you an idea of what the cost would be for the repairs. If the repairs are over your head and your budget, it helps you make the decision if you want to go ahead with the purchase or just walk away.

What to look for when hiring a home inspector?

When hiring a home inspector, make sure they are knowledgeable, have a general understanding of all the various systems and components in a home, and have practical experience or a background in engineering, construction, and related building trades. Make sure they are a professional, full-time home inspector who is bound by a strict code of ethics and specific standards of practice.

We are fortunate that BC home inspectors are regulated and requires mandatory licensing and operate under a legal framework provided by the business practices and consumer protection act and home inspector licensing regulation.

There are several good reasons to get a home inspection before buying a house. It’s a good idea to get an expert’s opinion to know if the home you are about to purchase has issues. It might cost you a few hundred dollars to have a home inspection but it can save you thousands in the end.