Top Five Things To Look For In A Home Inspector
- Attic To Alley Home Inspections Inc.
Categories: Best Home Inspector , Home Inspection Company , Residential Home Inspection
A home inspection is a crucial step in the home-buying process. It involves a thorough assessment of the property, inside and out, followed by a report outlining any items that will be costly to repair or replace or conditions that present a safety concern.
Hiring a professional home inspector will give you an insight into the property you are considering and allow you to decide if the defects found are within your comfort level before you buy.
If you are shopping around, price is usually at the top of most people’s lists, but there are other very important questions to ask.
1. Does the inspector belong to an association?
Belonging to an association is a step above regular licensing requirements. In British Columbia, all inspectors are required to be licensed by Consumer Protection BC. Association membership carries an extra cost, added annual requirements, and more responsibility. A Code of Ethics, an expanded inspection scope, and ongoing education credits are required to maintain membership. These three components set association members apart from inspectors who choose licensing only. I am a member of HIABC (Home Inspectors Association British Columbia).
2. How long will my inspection take?
In my world, a 3000 SF detached home will take around 3.5 hours to inspect. There are many components in a home that need to be inspected. If you are quoted a notably shorter inspection time, you should find out exactly what will be included.
3. When will I get my report?
After the inspection, I re-examined all my photos and proofread the report, adding and adjusting comments to address the specific conditions in the home I have inspected. For me, this is an important step, which is why I do not provide the report onsite. You will receive your report within 24 hours of the completion of the inspection. For inspection timing, it’s best if you schedule so you will have enough time to review the findings and, if needed, contact contractors for quotes before you must remove your subjects/conditions on your offer to purchase.
4. Does the inspector enter crawlspaces and attics?
Enclosed spaces that do not often get entered are some of the most important to inspect - crawlspaces and attics. Be certain that your inspector will enter these spaces for you. There are often limitations to what can be inspected in these areas, but they should be entered to the extent that it is safe to do so to ensure that you receive the critical information that these spaces can provide.
A note on price shopping
The average cost of a home in the Okanagan is a million dollars +/-. Your price range may be more or less, but generally, inspection fees represent about 0.0005% to 0.001% of your purchase price. Almost without exception, the defects found by your inspector will exceed the value of the fee, sometimes exponentially. While there is a lot of money leaving your bank account during your home buying transaction, an inspection is not one of those expenses that you want to look for the lowest price on or, worse, skip altogether. Shop with care.
If you’re looking for a licensed home inspector in Kelowna, BC, reach out to Attic to Alley Home Inspections Inc. We are a locally owned and operated company specializing in first-time buyers and performance inspections. We serve clients across Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland, Lake Country, and the surrounding areas.
Get in touch with us today!
To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. For more information, please call us at (250) 718-7890 or email us at tara@attictoalley.ca.