FAQ

Home inspections are highly recommended and often considered essential, especially when buying or selling a home. Here's why:

1. Identifying Issues: A home inspection can reveal hidden problems that may not be apparent during a casual viewing. From structural issues to electrical, plumbing, and HVAC problems, inspections can uncover issues that could be costly to repair later on.

2. Negotiating Power: If issues are found during an inspection, buyers can negotiate repairs or a reduction in the sale price with the seller. Likewise, sellers can address issues proactively to avoid negotiations falling through or reducing their asking price.

3. Safety: Inspections can uncover safety hazards such as mold, asbestos or faulty wiring that could pose risks to occupants. Identifying these hazards early can prevent accidents and protect the health of those living in or buying the home.

4. Peace of Mind: For buyers, a thorough inspection provides peace of mind, knowing the true condition of the property they're purchasing. Sellers can also benefit from inspections, as they can reassure potential buyers that the home has been well-maintained.

5. Insurance Requirements: Some insurance companies may require a home inspection before providing coverage, especially for older homes or properties in certain geographic areas prone to natural disasters.

While home inspections are not legally required in every situation, they are highly recommended to protect both buyers and sellers and ensure a smooth real estate transaction.

The National Standards of Practice are the gold standard guidelines all Inspectors must meet and follow. 

These standards typically cover the following areas:

1. Structural Components: This includes the foundation, framing, walls, and roof structure. Inspectors will assess these components for signs of damage, deterioration, or structural deficiencies.

2. Exterior: Inspectors will evaluate the exterior of the home, including siding, trim, windows, doors, and any attached decks or porches. They'll look for issues such as water intrusion, improper drainage, and damage to the exterior surfaces.

3. Roofing: The condition of the roof covering, flashing, chimneys, and gutters will be assessed. Inspectors will look for signs of damage, leaks, or improper installation that could lead to water damage or structural issues.

4. Plumbing: Inspectors will inspect the plumbing system, including supply lines, waste lines, fixtures, and water heaters. They'll check for leaks, proper drainage, water pressure, and functionality of fixtures.

5. Electrical: This includes evaluating the electrical system, including the main service panel, wiring, outlets, switches, and fixtures. Inspectors will look for code violations, safety hazards, and signs of improper installation.

6. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): Inspectors will assess the HVAC system, including the furnace, air conditioner, ductwork, and vents. They'll check for proper operation, maintenance, and safety issues.

7. Interior: Inspectors will evaluate the interior components of the home, including walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. They'll look for signs of water damage, structural issues, and safety hazards.

8. Insulation and Ventilation: Inspectors will assess the insulation levels and ventilation in the attic, crawl space, and other areas of the home. They'll check for adequate insulation, proper ventilation, and signs of moisture problems.

9. Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances: Inspectors will evaluate fireplaces, chimneys, and solid fuel-burning appliances for proper installation, operation, and safety.

10. General Safety: Inspectors will also assess general safety issues throughout the home, including trip hazards, fire safety, and the presence of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

These standards of practice provide a framework for home inspectors to conduct thorough and consistent inspections, helping to ensure the safety and integrity of residential properties.

Yes! A report will be issued to our client fast within 24 hours of inspection completion but usually within a few hours after the home inspection in PDF digital format. 

Although we write the report, it is the client who has retained our services and as such it is the clients prerogative if the choose to share our report with anyone. We will only share the report with our client unless the client provides express permission to do so in writing to us directly. 

*Reports can be put on a flash drive at request with an added extra fee or a printed hard copy can be provided with added extra time as well as fees associated. The digital PDF file is free and included as the standard format for report delivery. REPORT SAMPLE

A non evasive home inspections usually cost between $349.99 ( 0-1000 sqft "a small condo" ) to $1000.00 or more ( "much larger homes" 3000+sqft ) , this varies quite a bit with many factors affecting the fee, first and foremost is the size of the home. On average the typical single family home inspection fee is $449.99 ( 1000-2000 sqft ) all fees are tax applicable. Travel fees may be an additive to this if the location is over 50 km and charged $1.00 per km after 50km. All prices are subject to change, travel fees may be waived at our discretion.

The short answer is NO.

Most radon test kits require long term exposure ( 3 months to a year) in order to provide a more accurate reading and best done during winter months when windows and doors are closed.

This obviously can't be done in a 2 to 4 hour inspection window. Getting a reading in such a short period of time could give false highs or lows as radon fluctuates and varies by a factor of 2 to 3 over a 1 day period with seasonal variations even larger. 

For these reasons we feel it is not adding much value to the inspection report in regards to a real estate deal, as well as it goes beyond the Standards Of Practice.

Air Quality can be improved by increasing air circulation and ventilation , using air purifiers and keep filters clean by changing them often.

Most don't know that testing kits and or monitors may be purchased by home owner at most building supply stores and sent to a lab with a provided label without an inspector mark up. 

Health Canada has some great information for home owners that wish to educate themselves.

While it is not required for you to be there, we encourage it as there will be useful information the inspector may provide such as maintenance tips that may or may not be in the report. As well as it can be very educational and allow for an introduction to the home and its nuisances especially for first time home owners. A great time to address any of your concerns you may have about the property.

There are several types of home inspections, each serving a specific purpose depending on the needs of the homeowner, buyer, or seller. They are Visual non-evaise nor technically exhaustive. 

Here are some common types:

1. Pre-Purchase Home Inspection: This is the most common type of home inspection and is typically conducted before a buyer finalizes the purchase of a home. It assesses the condition of the property and identifies any potential issues or defects that may prove useful when negotiating price.

2. Pre-Listing Home Inspection: Sellers may choose to have a pre-listing inspection done before putting their home on the market. This allows them to identify any issues beforehand and make necessary repairs or disclosures, potentially speeding up the selling process and reducing the likelihood of negotiations falling through due to unexpected problems.

3. New Construction Inspection: Even newly constructed homes can have defects or issues that need to be addressed. A new construction inspection is conducted before the buyer takes possession of the home to identify any construction defects, code violations, or incomplete work that may need to be addressed by the builder. A pre delivery inspection (PDI) are a great idea when taking possession of a newly built home from a developer or builder with subsequent follow up inspections done at the one and two year anniversaries of possession. New construction builds tend to settle quite a bit in the first two years and it is best to monitor settling as problems may arise.

4. Maintenance Inspection: Homeowners may opt for periodic maintenance inspections to assess the condition of their property and identify any maintenance or repair needs before they escalate into larger problems. These inspections can help homeowners prioritize maintenance tasks and prevent costly repairs down the line.

5. Pre-Drywall Inspection: A pre-drywall inspection is a crucial step in the construction process of a new home or renovation. It involves a thorough examination of the work done before the drywall is installed and is a great time to have any and all deficiencies addressed by the builder before possession is handed over to the owner.. This inspection ensures that everything behind the walls is up to code and functioning properly. If you are purchasing a new home from a builder or having a home built privately this is a great time to ensure quality and safety.

6. 11th Month warranty Inspection: An 11th-month warranty inspection is a valuable opportunity for homeowners to identify and address any issues with their home and have them documented and brought to the builders attention before the builder's one-year warranty expires. Tarion warranty has a 1 year , 2 year and a 7 year anniversary of you taking possession the best time to address issues and concerns is before your warranty is up!

YOU TUBE http://www.youtube.com/@StructuredPropertyInspections

Each type of home inspection serves a specific purpose and can help homeowners, buyers, sellers or investors make informed decisions about their property.

The short answer is NO.

While we are hired by the client our duty is to the home , to give an honest and fair unbiased professional assessment of the current state of the homes condition at the time of inspection.

Home inspections are Visual non evasive nor technically exhaustive. An inspection is in no way a guarantee or warranty. It is a snap shot of the condition of the home at the time of the inspection. Conditions change and inspector's can not predict the future.

There is no pass or fail.

Home inspection, 0 - 1000 sq. ft.

$349.99+hst

Home inspection, 1000 - 2000 sq. ft.

$449.50+hst

Home inspection, 2001 - 3000 sq. ft.

$549.99+hst

Home inspection, 3001 - 4000 sq. ft.

$749.99 or more +hst

These Rates serve as a Guideline to provide potential clients an idea of costs. Actual cost will be solidified in the contract agreement, it may be determined that travel fees will apply for example.

All prices are subject to change at the sole discretion of Structured Property Inspections ltd.

Distances greater then 50km are subject to a travel fee of $1.00 (cad) per km. Meaning if the total distance traveled to and from is 100km from our office then a fee of $50.00 will be applied . 

Home inspections usually take between 2 and 4 hours to complete depending on the complexity and size of the home.