FAQ's

How long does a home inspection take?

A typical inspection should take about 3 hours to complete. This can vary, given the condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, we recommend that they are informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.

What do you look at?

We inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior. Our goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical buyer's decision to purchase.

How much does a  home inspection cost?

Our typical fee for an inspection is $495. However, some factors will affect the fee. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the deciding factor unless the level of service offered is identical. Remember, you are considering a major purchase and your choice of the home inspector should be based on getting the best value, not just the best price.

What is included in the fee?

• A complete home inspection conducted by an experienced professional.
• Comprehensive written home inspection report.

Can I follow along?

Definitely. We encourage you to attend. The inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers.  If you have any specific concerns please let me know so I address these concerns.  Once I am done the inspection I will go over any significant findings show you to give you a clear understanding of any issues.

Do I have to take notes?

You don't have to take notes during the inspection. We will document everything in a written report. It's much better to follow the inspector through, listening to his comments to make sure you understand. It's also a great opportunity to ask questions and to clarify anything that confuses you.

Can I ask questions?

Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home, these are great to ask before or at the beginning of the inspection.   You will also have lots of time to ask questions at the end of the inspection. If the inspector's comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for further explanation. We want you to feel confident upon completion of the inspection.

What should I wear?

You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 3 hours walking through the home with the inspector. You won't have to climb on the roof or go into the attic, so your clothes won't get dirty.  The inspector will show you detailed photos of any areas that you can't see.

Can I bring my family?

Absolutely, talk to your realtor on works best.  Covid restrictions will also affect these decisions.  However at the end of the inspection when discussing our findings we recommend  the fewer people and distractions, the better. This way we can stay focused and make sure by the end YOU feel confident in investment .

Do I get a written report? When?

You do receive a written report. It would be unfair to ask you to remember all of the things we cover during a home inspection. The report includes a summary of the condition of the home and details on all the major systems of the home. It is delivered within 24 hours after the inspection.

If it's really bad, will you tell us not to buy the house?
No. Our goal is to report on the condition of the house, indicating potential repairs and expenses. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not you buy the house. The home inspection is very important but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Only you know all of the factors at play.

Do you offer a warranty on the house?

A home inspection is a professional opinion based on less-than-complete information. It's a little like getting a check-up from your doctor: It improves your odds of good health but there is no guarantee or warranty.

Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house - they cannot be discovered during a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak when people use the shower but don't leak when you simply turn on the shower. Some roofs and basements only leak when specific weather conditions exist. Some problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved or finishes are removed. As such, we cannot and do not offer a warranty on the house.

Home warranty programs are available from others. We would be happy to help you contact a warranty company.

What are your inspectors' qualifications?

Our inspectors are graduates of the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training Program.  

Our inspectors also keep their skills current with continuing education programs both through the company and on their own. 

We are regulated by HIABC (Home Inspectors Association British Columbia)
We are Licensed via Consumer Protection of BC
We are Bonded and Insured

How many days notice do I need to give you?

Our team is ready to serve you quickly. However, when the sale of a home is conditional on the results of a home inspection, we recommend that you allow at least three days to arrange for an inspection.