Lately home inspections have come under much scrutiny. There are skeptics who believe there are countless charlatans falsely representing themselves as home inspectors. Unfortunately, there is some validity to these legitimate concerns. There is nothing legally stopping an individual from calling himself a home inspector regardless of his credentials. Consequently you do find a significant disparity in the quality of home inspectors in the marketplace today. This article will, among other things, focus on how to select a home inspector and what to expect from a home inspection.
History
Home Inspectors first came on the scene in the mid 1970's. Since then the demand for home inspections has grown significantly. Most consumers want to have peace of mind knowing that their largest, most significant financial asset has been examined by a trained professional. If significant deficiencies are identified, the purchaser has the opportunity to renegotiate the price or ask the vendor to remedy the repairs identified. If there are serious concerns about the structural integrity of the home, the purchaser can void the transaction.
What to Expect from a Home Inspector?
Home Inspections should be conducted to help satisfy the purchaser that there are no unanticipated, major costly surprises. The focus of a home inspection is primarily on the following components:
- The structure of the home (both interior and exterior)
- The heating and cooling systems
- The electrical system
- The plumbing system
- The roofing system
- The Insulation adequacy of the home
A home inspection will on average take 2 to 4 hours and the cost will typically range from $250 to $400. During this period the inspector will review the above noted systems to determine:
- How well these systems are operating.
- Recommendations (if any).
- The associated costs with these suggested improvements.
It is strongly advised you attend the home inspection and you are encouraged to ask any questions. The purchaser should view the session with a home inspector as an educational process. You will gain a much better understanding of the home you are purchasing. A home inspector will not spend a lot of time on the cosmetic aspects of the home. The condition of the carpet or surface scratches on the walls or ceilings are not the focus of the inspection.
Vendors should not be alarmed about a home inspector dissecting your home. The process is primarily visual and there is no drilling of the walls or dismantling of components. The home inspector will want to gain access to your attic so make sure there is a clear passage to this area. Most of the systems will be reviewed using normal operating controls such as the thermostat and testing of the plumbing fixtures, etc.
How to Select a Home Inspector?
It is imperative you locate a credible home inspector. Here are some helpful tips which can assist you in finding the right home inspector. Ideally a consumer should use a registered home inspector (R.H.I.). Only members of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors who have successfully completed the academics and experience requirement, are granted the R.H.I. designation. The members of O.R.H.I. subscribe to an important set of principles contained in the society's code of ethics. The reporting practice of a home inspector should strictly adhere to the standards of practice of the Canadian Association of Home Inspectors (C.A.H.I.) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (A.S.H.I.). These criteria in essence assures that the inspector is ethical, experienced, impartial and properly insured.
Provided below is a list of questions you should ask a prospective home inspector!
- How long has the inspector and his/her company been in business?
- Is the Inspector a fully accredited member of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors?
- Does the company carry insurance coverage?
- What previous experience does the inspector have in the building/ construction business. (This will ensure his/her ability to accurately assess repair costs, etc.)
- Does the Inspector provide a written comprehensive report?
- How accessible is the Inspector after the Inspection to answer your question/concerns?
Often times the best way to locate a credible home inspector is from family or friends who have had a positive experience with a home inspector. There is occasionally some apprehension from purchasers obtaining a home inspector referral from a realtor because they feel that there might be a close connection between the two parties that may result in a biased, more favorable home inspection report to help " keep the deal together". Truthfully, if it is a respectable home inspector, his reputation is on the line if he acts in such fashion. Remember the main problem is that virtually anyone can call themselves a home inspector and this is why the industry has received some negative publicity. But if you carefully select a qualified home inspector who is a trained professional they will be able to provide you with honest accurate information about your new home which will assist you immensely in this most important decision.
In today's brisk market where there are many competing offers, a purchaser might have to submit a condition free offer to enhance his/her chances of securing the property. Consequently, home inspection clauses are often not included or deleted from the agreement of purchase and sale.
My recommendations in these instances is to have a home inspector pre inspect the property prior to submitting an offer. While this exercise may cost you a few hundred dollars, you will have the confidence knowing that an expert has scrutinized the overall condition of the home before you commit to a firm and binding agreement.
Home inspections are an important part of the entire purchasing process. By implementing the steps outlined in this article it will assist you in protecting your most prized possession.
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