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| Frequent Asked
Questions |
| What is a Building Inspection? |
| A building inspection is a visual observation
of the home's structure, exterior, roof, attic, garage,
basement/crawlspace, plumbing system, electrical system, heat &
air conditioning systems, and interior. A building inspector
will evaluate the accessible and visual components of the home
or building and report on any items that are significantly
deficient or near the end of their service lives. Brown &
Associates Building Inspection Services also inspects major
kitchen appliances (refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher,
installed microwave, & garbage disposal). |
What does a full home inspection include?
A home inspection should address all of the following: |
- Exterior: Siding, trim, entry doors, garage doors,
windows, and chimneys.
- Structure: Framing of sub-floors, stairs, walls, ceilings,
and roofs.
- Roofing: Roof coverings, flashings, skylights, gutters,
downspouts, eaves, and soffits.
- Plumbing: Water pressure, piping, fixtures, faucets,
drains, vents, and water heaters.
- Electrical: Service conductors, main and sub-panels,
breakers and fuses, grounding, switches, receptacles,
fixtures, fans, smoke detectors, GFI function, etc.
- Heating: Furnace or boiler, ducts, radiators, registers,
woodstoves, and central air conditioning.
- Insulation: Attic, ceiling, wall and floor insulation, and
vapour barriers.
- Ventilation: Attic, crawlspace, kitchen, bath and laundry
ventilation.
- Interior: Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, woodwork,
cabinets, bathroom finish, fireplaces, etc.
|
| A good inspector will point out positive as
well as negative findings to the client and also provide useful
information on upkeep and maintenance. |
Can't I do it myself?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge,
training, and experience of a professional home inspector. There
are many hundreds of possible defects in a home, and scores of
established methods are required to detect them. The homeowner
usually does not own specialized inspection equipment such as
moisture meters and electrical circuit analyzers. |
Is a home inspection expensive?
No. Visual inspections are quite reasonable. (Destructive
inspections, another type of inspection, is almost never
performed, mostly because of the high cost.) Sellers are often
willing to pay for repairs, or to renegotiate the purchase
price, on the basis of the findings of a professional home
inspector. This can save the buyer much more than the cost of
the inspection. |
Do home inspectors check for code
compliance?
No. Building codes are constantly being revised, and are very
different from what they were even ten years ago. No house built
thirty years ago would pass present-day building codes. This
does not mean that older homes are necessarily unsafe. The
purpose of a home inspection is to determine the condition and
safety of a home, as it is at the present time, not whether it
meets past or present codes. |
Does a home inspection constitute a warranty
or guarantee?
No. A home inspection is a professional opinion. Home warranty
companies offer service contracts that insure the performance of
the various components of a house. The buyer can purchase a home
warranty directly from one of these companies, or a seller can
purchase one for the buyer as part of the real estate
transaction. |
Will further inspection be required?
Maybe. A home inspector is a generalist. The inspector's
knowledge and experience are very broad and includes the ability
to recognize hundreds of conditions. The inspector does not hold
a license in plumbing, electrical, heating, soils engineering,
hazardous materials testing, or other specialty areas. Like a
general-practice physician, a home inspector will sometimes
suggest further evaluation by a specialist. It is up to the
buyer whether or not to follow this suggestion. If the seller
agrees to make repairs at the buyer's request, the home
inspector can, if the buyer wishes, return to inspect these
repairs after they've been completed. |
Should I call an inspector on each house I'm
interested in?
No. You should call an inspector after you've made an offer to
purchase with one of the conditions being that the property be
inspected by a qualified home inspector. Be sure to include a
clear legal clause in the offer making the sale contingent on a
home inspection satisfactory to you as the buyer. Since
negotiations between buyers and sellers are often very hectic
with tight deadlines, you might want to speak to and decide on a
home inspector in advance of making your purchase offer. |
Should I be present during the inspection?
Absolutely! One main purpose of the inspection is to
familiarize you with your new home. A quality home inspection
should include a personalized walk-through as well as a written
report. |
What should I look for when selecting a home
inspector?
Ask if the inspector is affiliated with a nation-wide,
professional organization such as the Canadian Association of
Home & Property Inspectors (CAPHI).
Ask if the inspector carries Errors & Omission (E & O)
insurance. This kind of professional insurance is very expensive
and is not granted to every inspector who applies for it. It is
an indication of the inspector's status and commitment to the
profession. |
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