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John Callan, LL.B. Sales Representative, Accredited Senior Agent (ASA) - Ottawa Realestate

Why Do I Need A Home Inspection

Buyers Resource

The purchase of a home is one of the biggest investments people will make in their lifetimes. But it is also among the greatest sources of anxiety. A home inspection helps ensure homebuyers of the quality of their investment by making them aware of its condition and alerting them to any concerns. This can serve to relieve stress, increase confidence and even reduce the threat of legal action in the future.

Some of the benefits of a home inspection are:

  • Knowledge: Understanding exactly what you’re buying – old or new
  • Peace of mind: Helps in making a sound buying decision
  • Savings: The home inspection reveals the need for repairs or replacements before you buy
  • Fewer surprises: The home inspection limits the number of problems you may discover after you move in
  • Education: A good home inspection also gives you invaluable details about your new home in addition to information about the condition of the property. You’ll learn where the main shutoff valves to the utilities are located, how the house operates and more!

How do I find a good home inspector?

Not all inspection companies are alike, and selecting the wrong company could cost you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. Consider the following when shopping for home inspection companies.

  • Experience: How much experience do the inspectors have and how long have they have been in the business? The best home inspectors have been in business for years and have seen thousands of homes.Many inspectors have practical experience or a background in engineering, construction and related building trades. The more experienced an inspector is, the more they have seen and the more likely it is they will be able to detect any less obvious problems.
  • Home Inspection Training: Have the inspectors gone through any extensive home inspection training? How many home inspections has your home inspector completed? Is your home inspector registered (RHI) under the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI)? RHI members have the highest level of accreditation. These inspectors have achieved the highest level of educational requirement as set by the association and performed a pre-determined number of paid inspections. They must also complete annual educational updates to keep current with new technology and building practices in order to maintain this designation. You can contact the Association by going to www.cahpi.ca and the site will refer you to a list of Registered Home Inspectors in your area.

What if I’m buying a newly constructed home?

An inspection on a new home is important for the buyer to level the playing field. As in any industry there are shortcuts and tricks of the trade in the construction business, and someone who is unfamiliar with them can easily miss them. A home inspector is better able to see nuances that may not be readily visible to an untrained eye. You also need an inspector to offset the builder’s or contractor’s interest. Much of the information about homes is either taken for granted by people, or remains unfound.

For newly constructed homes, an inspection of the house before the drywall is installed, otherwise known as a “preclosure inspection”, provides a level of quality assurance for the buyer that many builders don’t usually provide for their buyers. This inspection gives you a better chance of identifying and correcting potential problems when they are much easier and less expensive to fix, before they become physically or financially prohibitive.

Even if you are not able to do a “pre-closure” inspection, while some problems may remain hidden behind drywall, a registered home inspector can often detect problems that are unrecognizable to the average consumer.

There are a number of important issues that will arise as a result of a home inspection being done and I can help you with your home inspector understand the written results of the inspection report and it’s implications in relation to the price you have offered for the property.

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