Ask for references and written contract when you pick Home Inspector Brampton

Ask for references and written contract when you pick Home Inspector Brampton

Completing a Home Inspection Brampton can be a useful step toward selling your house. That’s especially the case if it’s more than a few years old. A home inspector will examine a property’s features and components — such as the foundation, roofing, electrical and plumbing systems — and write a report based upon what they observe.

Home sellers are opting for home inspections because the information can help develop a strategy for selling. If the inspector finds any problems, they can either be repaired before the property is listed or the real estate salesperson can advise potential buyers.

Speaking from personal experience, I found the results of my home inspection to be a big help when it came to planning, and budgeting for necessary repairs after I took possession of my house.

How do you find a competent home inspector? Talk to your salesperson. Your representative is a knowledgeable resource who should be able to recommend a reputable home inspector, as well as other industry professionals, such as appraisers or home stagers. If you haven’t yet signed a listing agreement with a brokerage, you could always ask friends, relatives or co-workers for recommendations.

The home inspection business has been largely unregulated but that’s already starting to change. Last year, the government passed a bill that included the Home Inspection Act. The new law requires that home inspectors be qualified, licensed and insured, and it sets standards for home inspection reports, contracts, disclosures, and the performance of inspections. One of the Act’s main features is that it requires signed contracts between home inspectors and homeowners, and a written report must be delivered after the completion of an inspection.

There are also plans to establish an independent organization to oversee and regulate the home inspection industry.

What sort of questions should you ask a prospective home inspector? Well, you’ll probably want to start by asking about their training, accreditations and work experience, and whether they have examined your type of property. For example, if your property includes a well, septic system, oil tank or any other special feature, it’s a good idea to ask about the inspector’s experience with such items. 

If the main home inspector hasn’t worked with these specialized items, you may wish to ask a second inspector with the right experience to inspect them and ensure they are operating as they should. Similarly, an inspector who has focused mostly on relatively new homes might not have a keen understanding of cottages, or heritage properties.

You could also request references, and ask if they carry both general liability insurance (which is important if anything gets broken or damaged), and errors and omissions insurance in case their inspection overlooks a major problem.

You would be well-advised to ask to take a look at a blank copy of the Home Inspection Brampton report they use, and insist upon a written contract, so there aren’t any surprises later on. Remember to read and understand it thoroughly before you sign.

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It's a New Home - Why have it inspected at all? my builder says they will inspect it with me.

It's a New Home - Why have it inspected at all? my builder says they will inspect it with me.

New home construction is not without its problems, especially in the Ottawa area.

Most homeowners are not professionally trained to determine the construction defects with their new home and yet both the Builder and Tarion Home Warranty program expect them to document and report all of their home's shortcomings at various intervals like the Pre-Delivery Inspections with the Builder, 30 Day and 1st, 2nd and 7th year of ownership.

While most homeowners can identify cosmetic issues with their new home, often their untrained eye can overlook serious construction deficiencies. This is a job best left to a trained professional like a Home Inspector Brampton with New Home Construction Experience.

Yes your Builder will conduct a a pre-delivery walk through inspection with you (PDI) however, they aren't going to pick your home apart as part of this process. This is their opportunity to show off their work - not criticize it.

But the Home Is Insured by Tarion Home Warranty?

That may be true, but like all insurance programs, Tarions is not perfect. Firstly, they will only consider covering what you claim. Secondly the program is often a frustrating process for new homeowners and often defects in workmanship are NOT warrantied. Unless you can substantiate that your findings are indeed "Credible" then you might get the run around. This is where having a Professional Home Inspector assist you can be of huge benefit. Meetings with your Builder like your Pre-Delivery Inspection, are their opportunity to showcase your new home, don't expect them to point out everything wrong with it. You however, will be asked at the PDI to identify all defects with your new home. Most homeowners tend to use the PDI to check out the cosmetics of their new home, not get into structural details. If you think new homes are problem free, we suggest you read this Tarion Survey first. It's clear to see that while some new homeowners are pleased with the Tarion coverage and process, many other are not. Also bear in mind that a professional home inspector should point out ALL defects with your home, whether they will be warrantied by Tarion or not. As a homeowner, you need this information to be able to "Protect your Investment" in the long run.

If you have not yet purchased your new home, it is a good idea to consider the services of a Professional Home Inspector during it's construction. You will require that a clause be inserted into the Agreement of Purchase & Sale with the builder that stipulates that construction inspections are permitted. Some builders are hesitant to allow this service. If this is the case with your choice of builder, you may want to reconsider things. Many builders are at least permitting frame-walks or pre-drywall walkthroughs where you may be permitted to have your own home inspector accompany you. We strongly suggest that you consult with an expert real estate lawyer, prior to the signing of any new home purchase agreement. Your lawyer may also suggest that you have a copy of the floor plan for your new home, included in the agreement papers.

If your builder will not accommodate construction inspections, it is still in your best interests to consider having a professional Home Inspector Brampton accompany you to your PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) prior to your occupancy and any money changing hands. During this PDI you will be asked to create a list of deficiencies with the builder representative (and of course the verbal assistance of your home inspector). After you move into your new home, there is generally a period of 30 days in which you may forward a list of building deficiencies to the Warranty Program. There is also another opportunity as you approach your first anniversary in the home. Your final list of home deficiencies needs to be submitted to Tarion Warranty within a 30 day period prior to the end of your first year in the home.