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Frequently-Asked Questions
WHAT IS A "HOME INSPECTION"
For the home buyer the process of buying a home is exciting and yet can be stressful. You have spent a great deal of time and effort considering price, neighborhood, style, size and floor plan. Once the decision is made,the fundamental questions arises,is the house it self sound? It is safe for my family to live in? Is everything operational? Is the home structually a mechanically functional? Are there deficiencies or signs of potential failure? Are components installed in a professional manner? Should small things be repaired or replaced now to prevent large expenses in the future?
A home inspection is an objective non-invasive visual examination of the physical structure and system of a residential dwelling, from the roof to the foundation, which is designed to identify observed material defects within specific components of said dwelling, as well as an ongoing property management maintenance process. Having a home inspected is like giving it a physical check-up. If problem or symptoms are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation.
WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION ?
The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment you will ever make. You should learn as much as you can about the condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before yo buy,so that you can minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterwards. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase. Of course, a home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. If you are already a home owner, a home inspection may be used to identify problems in the making and to learn preventive measures which might avoid costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell your home, you may wish to have an inspection prior to placing your home on the market. This will give you a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the buyer's inspector, and an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.
WHAT DOES AN HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE ?
A standard certified home inspector's report will review the condition of the home's roofing system,home exterior,attic area and visible insolation,the foundation,basement,visible structure,home interior; walls, ceilings, floors, window and doors, heating system components, cooling system components [temperature permitting], plumbing and electrical system. During the inspection, the inspector is a guest in the Owner home and for this reason [non-invasive] only those items that are visible and readily accessible by normal means are included in the report. Over 400 items inspected. All inspection meet the InterNACHI standards.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ?
 Often the first question asked,it should be actually be one of your last! An inspector's qualifications should be of more importance to you. A poor inspector at any price, isn't a deal and may actually and up costing you more in the long run.
The inspection fee for a typical one family house varies geographically, as does the price of housing.Similarly, within a given area, the inspection fee may vary depending upon the size of the house,particular features of the house, its age, and possible additional services, such as septic, well, or radon testing. It is a good idea to check local prices on your own. However, do not let cost be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection, or in the selection of your home inspector. The knoledge gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the lowest-priced insoector is not necessarly a bargain. The inspector's qualifications,including his experience, training, and professional affiliations should be the most important consideration. The acual cost of the inspection should be one of your least concerns as the benefits realized from a professional inspection will far outweight it's cost, several times over.
WHEN SHOULD THE INSPECTION TAKE PLACE ?
Your Real Estate Agent may have included a clause in your offer to purchase, making it conditional upon a home inspection. If there ins't a clause to that effect, then you need to include it. A home inspector is typically contacted right after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed, and is often available within a few days.
HOW LONG DOES AN INSPECTION TAKE ?
A typical inspection of a property under 2000 squere feet should take two and a half to three hours. This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems and so on. As a courtesy to seller, we recommend that thy be informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation. We are guests in the house.
WHY CAN'T I DO IT MY SELF OR HAVE SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY WHO IS VERY HANDY OR A CONTRACTOR, INSPECT MY NEW HOME ?
This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may be skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional home inspection is a unique skill like no other. Professional inspectors get what we call an inspector's instinct for problems. That instinct takes extensive training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many contractors, and other trades professional hire a professional home inspector to inspect homes when they make a purchase. Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may affect their judgment. For the most accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the field of home inspection.
DO I NEED TO BE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION ?
It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is recommended for the home buyers benefit. The inspector job is not just to inspect the property, but also to educate the potential buyer of the condition of the property, and this can be better achieved if you are present at the time of the inspection. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions directly, as you learn about the condition of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain it. You will also find the written report easier to understand if you've seen the property first-hand through the inspector's eyes.
DO I HAVE TO TAKE NOTES ?
You don't have to take notes during the inspection.The inspection will be documented in a written report. It's much better to follow the inspector through, listening to his comments to make sure you understand.
WHO HIRES THE INSPECTOR ?
The potential home buyer usually retains the inspector; however your agent may refer one or more for you to choose from. The Inspector works for you. The inspection report generated after the property inspection, cannot ethically be given to or discussed with anyone else without your written consent. Your home is undoubtedly one of the biggest investments that you will make. Choosing the right home inspector for this major investment can be difficult, but doesn't need to be!!! Unlike most professionals, you may not have the opportunity to meet me until after you hire me. Furthermore, different inspectors have varying qualifications, equipment, experience, reporting methods, and yes, different pricing. One thing for sure is that a home inspection requires work, a lot of work. Ultimately a thorough inspection depends heavily on the individual inspector's own effort. If you honor me by permitting me to inspect the home you are buying, selling or already own, I guarantee that I will give you my very best effort.
This I promise you.
From your first contact with me, throughout the inspection, and for as long as you own your home means you have a highly skilled consultant at your service, for continued support and answers after the inspection, vie email or phone, at no additional cost, whenever you need advice.
CAN A HOUSE FAIL INSPECTION ?
A residential home inspection is not a PASS or FAIL test. A professional residential home inspection is simply a documented examination of the current condition of your prospective real estate purchase. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a Municipal Code Inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but simply identifies specific non-code, non-cosmetics concerns that the inspector feels may need further investigation, repair or replacement.
DO I GET A WRITTEN REPORT ? WHEN ?
Following the completion of your Sound Structure Inc. inspection, you will be issued a detailed, comprehensive and easy to read inspection report documenting the home's condition, as observed at the time of the inspection, tangible documentation of the findings.The inspector will provide you with an electronic version of the inspection report, prepared on site or sent via email within 24hours.
WHAT IF THE REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS ?
No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it does not necessarily mean you should not buy the house, only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may adjust the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are found. If your budget is tight, or if you do not wish to become involved in future repairs work, this information will be extremely important to you. The choice is yours.
IF IT'S REALLY BAD, WILL YOU TELL US NOT TO BUY THE HOUSE ?
No. My goal is to report on the condition of the property, indicating potential repairs and expenses. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not you purchase the property. The home inspection is very important but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Only you know all of the factors at play.
IS A HOME INSPECTION A WARRANTY ?
No. A residential Home Inspection is a professional opinion based on less-then-complete information. It's a little like getting a check-up from your doctor: improves your odds of good health but there is no guarantee or warranty. However, there are homeowenr warranty programs available that covers the brakdown and repairs costs of many big ticket items, such as furnaces, electrical, plumbing and appliances.
IF THE HOUSE PROVES TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION, DID I REALLY NEED AN INSPECTION ?
Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase with your eyes open as to the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You will also learned many things about your future new home from the inspector's written findings report, and will want to keep that information for future reference.
WHAT REALLY MATTERS
Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?
Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:
1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for example.
3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy or insure the home.
4. Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electric panel.
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure or nit-picky items.
I service Mississauga, Brampton and the surrounding areas.
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