Tag: home inspection

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Get Your New Property Inspected with Help of Home Inspector

Are you buying a new home in Canada? You’ll need to inspect the property before buying it and it is a common practice in the real estate industry. A home inspector is a qualified professional who will look into the entire property & alert the owners to safety hazards & hidden damage. The inspection is important to decide on the buying of property & negotiate power to reduce the price or request repairs in the home.

Buying a new home involves a thorough inspection of the property & identify the loopholes in the property. The inspector needs to be asked the right questions for the appointment & ensure you make a good deal out of all. Contact the locally certified home inspector to get the right idea of a property in Canada or find out the current condition of your home. The reports will ensure that you make the right decision in fixing the troubles in your home.

Here are some of the questions that need to be asked before booking the home inspector –

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                                 certified home inspector

  1. What do you check in home inspection and what you don’t?
  2. What are the charges of the home inspection service?
  3. For how long you have been inspecting homes?
  4. Should I need to be present at the time of home inspection?
  5. How long does the home inspection take?
  6. Does the inspection include mold or radon?

Contacting the right kind of home inspector will provide you the peace of mind that you always desire! There is nothing more comforting than the news that it is in good shape or condition. A house inspection is a routine process taken by homeowners to check the condition of the property. If you want to sell your home then it is also advisable to contact the home inspector to check the present condition of the home. The process helps you fix the problems in the home and the buyer is unable to find flaws in your home.

Things that are expected during a home inspection session –

  • Meet the home inspector at your home inspection Ask the questions to analyze the kind of experience of the professional.
  • The home inspector checks every corner of the property to analyze its conditioning & the prevailing issues.
  • After a proper inspection, the certified home inspector issues a report.
  • The report is then shared with the owner to make the right decision related to the upgrading of the property. The experts also suggest ideas to get the home problems fixed in quick time.

Are you looking to collect information related to a property in Canada? Make sure you check the online reviews & finalize the certified home inspector who can advise you with the right solutions. Get your home inspected so that the problems can be addressed beforehand creating any serious problem. Finding a home inspector can be a challenge as you are under pressure, but you will get all the necessary details online related to home inspection.

Home Inspector in Barrie
Home Inspector in Barrie

Is it Okay to Skip Home Inspection When Buying a Home in Barrie?

Are you going to buy a home in Barrie? If yes, have you completed the home inspection process? If not, this post is for you. We understand that the home-buying process can be very exhaustive.

Sometimes, it gets more complicated when homes you are eyeing are going under contract the same day they are listed. In such cases, it becomes nearly impossible to visit the property in person and become confident about your decision. At times like these, you might think about waiving the home inspection process. In fact, many homebuyers do this in the frenzy real estate market.

Not considering home inspection is like putting the money that you have earned with so much hardship into gambling. No matter how tight the deadline is and how much a home seller or real estate agent praises a home for sale, you should never ever skip this process.

When the real estate market of a place is hot, it is likely to find most home inspectors already booked. So, when you are on the journey of home hunting during the peak season, make sure that you get in touch with a Home Inspector in Barrie in advance.

Is it a bad idea to waiver home inspection?

Before deciding if it is good or bad to waiver home inspection, you should understand what exactly home inspection means and involves. The home inspection process is an onsite, in-person examination of the current conditions and structure of a home. A home inspection is not a test that passes or fails a home. It doesn’t evaluate if a home meets zoning or building codes.

It includes a visual inspection of major elements and systems, such as:

Home Inspector in Barrie

                              Home Inspector Barrie

  • electrical and plumbing systems (where visible)
  • foundation
  • attic ventilation
  • roof
  • exterior walls
  • doors and windows
  • heating and air conditioning systems
  • ceilings, walls, and floors
  • insulation
  • drainage systems
  • the structural integrity of the home
  • common areas if you are buying a condo

Once the inspection is completed, Home Inspectors prepare a report that provides detailed information about the condition and structural integrity of a home. You will easily know if some parts or areas of a home are safe, need to be repaired immediately, or may need replacement in the near future. Plus, you will also learn the evidence of any past problems.

As soon as you get the report and come to know about any problems, you can ask the seller to rectify or adjust the price. Or, you can even refuse to make the deal if problems are major and expensive and the seller is not ready to make improvements.

In short, a home inspection saves you from spending a sizeable amount on a home that is not worth it. Though it can be tempting to skip home inspection in a hot real estate market, waiving a home inspection may come with substantial risks.

Without a Home Inspection, you will remain unaware of costly repairs and potential hazards that will compromise the health as well as safety of yours and your loved ones. Besides, your financial interest is also not protected which is utmost necessary when you are making possibly the largest purchase of your life.

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Home Inspector Near me

Common Problems That Make a Home Inspection Report Look Bad

A home inspection report can make or break a home-sale deal. Thus, it is critical to know what common problems are checked during the home inspection, and fix them before you search for “Home Inspector Near me”. If you are someone who is planning to sell a home, then knowing these problems will help you a lot in the home-selling process.

  1. Exterior Grading That Causes Water to Collect Around the House

Poor grading and drainage issues are both common and expensive. If there is improper grading, then think about re-grading the front and the back of a property. A positively graded property draws water away from the home foundation which ensures that a home stays dry. On the other hand, negative grading may cause the soil around a home to soften that can jeopardize the structure’s integrity.

  1. Faulty Electrical Wiring and Overloaded Circuits

Don’t believe that everything is fine as long as electrical appliances are working. Because of its thinking, electrical problems are often ignored which may later result in serious hazards. Inspectors will instantly notice worn-out electrical wires, outdated knob-and-tube wiring, overloaded circuits, and exposed wiring. Missing and faulty GFCI outlets are also inspected as they are mandated by law in all bathrooms, kitchens, garages, laundry rooms, and areas where water sources are present.

  1. Aged and Faulty Roofing Problems
    Home Inspector Near me

                                             Home Inspector Near me

A roof with problems like cracked shingles, leaks, and water damage always needs to be fixed or replaced. It’s because a weak roof is more vulnerable to heavy snow buildup. The added weight of snow adds to the load and can weaken a home’s structure. Plus, problems with sheathing and rafters should also be addressed.

  1. Evidence of Termites and Other Wood-Eating Insects

Homeowners may not notice wood-destroying insects, such as termites, carpenter ants, and bees that may find a way in your home through foundation cracks. They stay hidden and can easily go unnoticed until the inspector comes for a Home Inspection. The main reasons behind infestation are consistent humidity and a damp environment. Signs of infestation include visible mazes, mud tubes, wood grains, and swollen ceilings and floors.

  1. Water Damage in Basement

Water damage not only compromises the structure of a home but also the safety and health of homeowners. Water penetrates through cracks in basement walls that result in spalling in concrete, brick, or stone. If your basement is invaded by water damage, it can greatly affect your home-selling deal.

  1. Increased Radon Levels

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that may result in lung cancer. It usually moves up the ground and can enter your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon is typically present in all homes across the country; however, concentrations are low and not strong enough to cause sickness. In case radon levels are higher in your home, it might create a big problem. So, install a radon-reduction system to fix this issue soon.

Sometimes, even smaller problems may be flagged by Home Inspectors and that can lead to bigger issues. Thus, to make the deal as smooth as possible, fix all the problems beforehand so that your home inspection report doesn’t look bad.

Certified Home Inspector
Home Inspector in Markham

Mandatory Fixes and Repairs after a Home Inspection

The home inspection is an important stage of the property selling and buying process. As a buyer, it helps you identify issues and problems in the house you are interested in purchasing. On the other hand, when you want to sell your house, a professional inspection service lets you identify and fix potential issues to increase the value of your property.

A Professional Home Inspector examines the condition of a house thoroughly using the best practice and techniques. It helps you identify the areas that require maintenance and repair work before moving in. Following area and problems are inspected during a home inspection process:

  • Building structure
  • Plumbing and electrical connections
  • Heating and cooling equipment
  • Roof, basement, and walls
  • Pest and insect problems
  • Water damage
  • Security issues

After the completion of the Home Inspection process, both buyers and sellers should be aware of mandatory fixes and repairs before making the further move. Every house needs to be safe, comfortable, and secure for people living there. There is no use of home inspection services if you are not going to fix and repair potential issues identified during the process.

Home inspector Markham

                                    Home Inspector Markham

Some home issues and problems may be critical and dangerous and you cannot avoid them for safety reasons. These necessary fixes are essential to make a home habitable and a nice place to live with your family without any safety concerns. You must ask for fixes and repairs for the following issues if detected after the home inspection process:

  • Structural damage or hazards
  • Water damage and mold formation
  • Chemical or toxic contamination
  • Pest or insect infestation problem
  • Fire or electrical hazards
  • Plumbing issues
  • Building code violations
  • Trip hazards

You cannot take the risk with the above-mentioned issues and move with your family after buying a house. From a seller’s point of view, these issues can be a big hurdle in selling a house. These issues can decrease the value of your property to a great extent.

These are not the cosmetic fixes with which you can live. They can cause serious damage and life-threatening risk to the people living there. You can live with normal wear and tear in your house, but not with the mentioned ones. Problems like HVAC issues, broken appliances, and drainage problems can be ignored if you can handle them on your own through maintenance services after purchasing the home.

If the seller denies fixing mandatory issues, you should immediately walk away from the deal. A well-maintained house could also help buyers to get a home loan quickly and easily from banks.  So, if you are interested in purchasing a house in Canada, and looking for a professional Home Inspector in Markham, Toronto, Contact JJ Home Inspections for high-quality and affordable home inspection services as per your requirements.

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Home Inspector

A Seller’s Guide to Prepare for Home Inspection

Located along the western shore of Lake Simcoe on Kempenfelt Bay, Barrie is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. Due to strategic location and many job opportunities, the population of Berrie is increasing at a high rate. Even a report says the population of the city is expected to increase to 667,000 by 2031 which was 136,063 in the year 2011.

With the increase in the population, the demand for the house will also increase. So if you are planning to sell your house to immigrants, you should be ready for a home inspection. It’s because no buyer approves to close the deal without a home inspection report. They send a home inspector to gain valuable insights into the property’s condition.

Before the Home Inspector arrives for the inspection, you should be prepared for the process. As a responsible seller, you should make sure that the home inspector does not suffer from any issues during the inspection and gets an accurate report.

The tips to prepare are:

You should make everything accessible 

During the home inspection, the Home Inspector will examine every inch of your home. Along with the main areas, he will go through the crawlspace, attic, and other less used areas. So you should ensure he can easily reach critical areas and systems. You should find all possible ways and make them accessible with utmost safety.

You should manage the perimeter

Home inspector Barrie

                                        Home inspector Barrie

A home inspector will look inside as well as outside of your house. He will check the exterior walls and other details that can lead to problems from outside. So you should ensure that the perimeter is easy to look at. You should remove everything that may come in the way of the inspection process. The path and visibility for the inspector should be clear.

You should address the roof and gutters

Roof and gutter inspection is a major responsibility of a homeowner. Even if you are not selling your house, you should inspect your house roof and gutter regularly to prevent any severe accident. If the inspection is pending for a long, you should do it before the arrival of the home inspector. You should clean out the gutters, check the downspout positions, examine the shingles for damage, and schedule repair if required.

You should clean the interior

Cleanliness is an important factor during the home inspection. You should clean your house interior thoroughly and make the area clutter-free. If your house is dirty or the Home Inspector has to navigate a ton of clutter, he might take things wrong. He might assume that since your house isn’t clean, you don’t care for it. You are not responsible. Also, with a suspicious mind, he may take more time looking for issues.

You should replace the bulbs, batteries, and filters

An electrical inspection is also an important part of home inspection. So before the home inspector arrives, you should replace the burned-out light bulbs, dead smoke detector batteries, and other damaged electrical parts. In case these electrical components are not working, the home inspector might assume that electrical connections in the property are not good. With this, one major part of the home inspection report will be marked negative.

Preparation for a Home Inspection will avoid any negative comments in the report and allow you to close the deal at the desired price.

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Home Inspection Near me

Things to Keep in Mind Before Hiring a Home Inspection Company!

For the majority of people, purchasing a new home is considered to be the biggest investment in their entire lifetime. So, being such a huge investment, who would want to regret the decision they made a few years down the line? To avoid any disappointment even after decades of living in your house, it is important that you get every aspect of your future house checked thoroughly before you sign the deal with the realtor and commit all your hard-earned money.

So, one of the most important things you must do before you purchase the house is investing in a home inspection company. In recent years, there is quite a load of reliable and competent home inspectors available in the market. However, there are also frauds that should not be trusted at all as they try to get your pockets lighter. Hence, you are required to do far more research than just searching “Home Inspection Near me” in the search engine.

With so many options at your disposal, it can get quite overwhelming and stressful, but to make things easier for you we have compiled a list of some things you must consider before hiring any home inspection company.

  • Experience of the home inspectors:
    Home Inspection Near me

                                Home Inspection Near me

    One of the first things to take into consideration when looking for the right home inspection company is that you choose a company that has only experienced home inspectors employed. Nobody can become an experienced home inspector overnight, it takes several years of experience in the field, dealing with different kinds of situations, and of course, highly specialized training for someone to become a competent and skillful Home Inspector. Hence, you should check the number of years that the company has been in the field, and if the inspectors are just as experienced or not.

  • Certification and licenses:
    The next thing you should consider is if they have all the required certifications and licenses to do what they do. This is an important step because there might be some companies that claim to be certified without having any proof at all. Hence, you should ask for these important documents with which they can back up their claims. Moreover, you can be even more sure if you want to, by checking yourself if the home inspection company is registered with the home inspection association.
  • A sample of one of the reports:
    If you really want to check the quality of the work the company does, then you should ask for a sample of the report that they made recently. The report provided by the home inspection company tends to say a lot about the quality of their services. On average, a good report usually is around 40 pages or so. So, you must hire the company that guarantees you to give a detailed report of the inspection.

By taking the above-mentioned things into consideration, you are likely to end up choosing the right Home Inspection Company and see if your future house is worth the investment or not.  

Home Inspector Newmarket
Home Inspector Newmarket

What to Expect on the Home Inspection Day?

A home inspection is a process of examining the condition of a house before making the purchasing decision. It helps property buyers to identify whether or not a home is safe for living. A professional and Certified Home Inspector does a thorough inspection of a house on various parameters such as building structure, water damage, plumbing, and electrical issues that pose any potential threat to the safety of people living there.

A home inspection is the last attempt to evaluate the value of any property before purchasing. The home inspector gives a detailed report on his findings to highlight the issues that require maintenance and repair works after the deal. It increases the negotiation power of the buyer during the purchasing process.

So, if you have finalized the right property for buying, hire a licensed and certified home inspector in your region for a thorough examination of the house. When you plan to hire a home inspector for this job, it’s a good idea to research about the home inspection process to determine what to expect on the inspection day.

As a buyer, you can attend the inspection along with the home inspector to get a detailed look at the house you are going to purchase. You can follow up on all the processes that the home inspector takes while examining and evaluating the condition of the house.

Home Inspector Newmarket

                            Home Inspector Newmarket

Your home inspection checklist

When you know what areas should be inspected on the Home Inspection day, you can ensure that nothing will be left unexamined. Any professional home inspector will review the following areas of the house:

  • Structural components
  • Foundation
  • Walls
  • Ceiling
  • Basement
  • Roof
  • Floors
  • Windows and doors
  • Water damage
  • Plumbing and electrical systems
  • Pest and insect problems
  • Heating system
  • Air conditioning system
  • Security issues

How long does it take?

Typically, a home inspection process can take two to four hours depending on many factors such as the size of the property. In some cases, it could take more time depending on many factors. The duration of home inspection can vary depending on:

  • Home size
  • Number of defects
  • The thoroughness of the inspection process
  • Preparedness for the Inspection day

After the completion of the home examination and evaluation, the home inspector takes a couple of days to prepare a written report based on his findings and send it to the client.

No home is perfect but, a professional home inspection lets you identify the potential problems that can be dangerous in the future. It helps you address the serious issues with routine maintenance works on time before closing the deal. If you are looking for a licensed and certified home inspector in the New Market area in Toronto, Canada, contact JJ Home Inspections for professional and affordable services. With years of experience in the industry, you can expect the best services from them in the region.

House Inspection
Home Inspector in Barrie

Process of a Home Inspection and Why is it Carried Out?

As a smart buyer, you need to take the initiative to work with a professional property inspection when purchasing a home for a satisfactory result. A property sale contract usually contains a contingency clause, which allows you to back out if the house is not in proper condition.

The contingency provision enables you to obtain a home inspection, and if reports are unacceptable, you can choose to terminate the contract. For more clarification, you should contact a professional Home Inspector in Barrie. 

Let’s take a look at the reason why a home inspection is carried out.

Purchasing a property is probably the biggest investment that you will make in your life. Thus, it is imperative to get your house inspected before closing the deal. Through a comprehensive inspection, you can gain details that may trouble you in the future.

Keep in mind that a home inspection isn’t for making or breaking a deal. The key motive of carrying Home Inspection is to make a wise decision based on the information provided by a home inspector. The report will point out the significant issues in a property, assisting you in deciding whether you should go ahead with the deal or not.

A knowledgeable and experienced home inspector is an efficient source if you want to learn about your home in depth.

Home Inspector in Barrie

                                  Home Inspector in Barrie

Process of a Property Inspection:

  1. The process of property inspection involves going through the exterior and interior of the house and recording defective, broken, or hazardous issues.
  2. The home inspector will walk through the areas of the house to note its condition.
  3. After that, the inspector will inspect:
  • Plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation, and water systems
  • The home’s structural elements
  • The foundation
  • The attic
  • The roof
  • The basement
  1. After a thorough inspection, the professional will note down the condition of each of these components.
  2. Finally, the inspector will submit a report containing all information, including necessary repairs needed, safety, or fire hazards.

What to Expect from a Home Inspection?

A home inspection generally lasts for a few hours. The professional should answer all of your questions. Avoid the inspectors that provide only a verbal report. The report should be in a narrative form, not just a checklist of inspection components.

The inspector should also provide a written report with accurate estimates for any major defects discovered during the inspection. Inspector can also inspect work upon completion to ensure that a contract has been fulfilled.

The Bottom Line

Home inspection in Toronto is a mandatory process for home buying. Professional inspectors have a checklist of items to inspect and a standardized format to provide you with unbiased results. If you are seeking to purchase a property, it is better to invest in a Home Inspector in Barrie.  

Certified Home Inspector in Toronto
Certified Home Inspector in Toronto

Reasons to Hire Home Inspectors for Conducting New Construction Inspection

People in Toronto or any other location hire the service of a certified home inspector before buying or selling a house. They do so to avoid any structural, electrical, and plumbing issues in the future and get the close the deal at the best price.

But do you know that a home inspector can even inspect new constructions? Yes, it’s true.

If you are building a new house from the ground up, you should hire the inspection service for mistake-free construction and your present and future safety.

Not only for this, there are many other reasons for hiring a Certified Home Inspector in Toronto or other locations.

Reason 1#

To avoid imperfections in the new constructions

Even though your contractor is reputable, he cannot complete the project without flaws, especially when he is hiring subcontractors like electricians and plumbers. With so many different workers in one project, mistakes and imperfections are common because they all work differently.

Hiring a home inspector will centralize the work and minimize mistakes. It’s because he will thoroughly evaluate the workmanship and quality of materials to provide a report of the entire building’s condition.

Reason 2#

Certified Home Inspector in Toronto

                            Certified Home Inspector in Toronto

To reduce dependence on municipal code inspection 

For any new construction, a municipal code inspection is required. In municipal code inspection, inspectors only check for basic building code requirements, which wouldn’t be much helpful for you.

The code inspection will not give you a full assessment of the entire building. And incomplete information will lead to many problems.

Reason 3#

To avoid the hassle of repairs after you move in

Discovering a problem in your home after you have moved in isn’t a problem because it will be covered by your builder’s warranty. But getting it repaired is a huge disruption.

You have to take time out from your busy schedule and work with contractors to bring things on the right track. Also, you have to put some of your belongings into storage or temporarily move out of your home. With the new home construction inspection, all the repairs will be completed before the move in.

Reason 4#

To get a good resale price

If you are planning to resell your house after staying for a few years, a new constriction inspection will be of great help. It will speed up the selling process and help you get the best price for the property.

With no new construction inspection report in hand, you will not know your building’s flaws until your buyer conducts a Home Inspection. You can get your house inspected before selling but it won’t be as effective as a new construction inspection.

Considering these reasons, you might have understood that the service of a home inspector is no more confined to pre-built homes. So whether you are constructing a new house or moving to a pre-built house, hire a Certified Home Inspector in Toronto. You will be safe and reduce your expenses.

certified home inspector near me
Home Inspector in Markham

What Questions You Should Be Asking the Home Inspector After the Property Assessment

Property inspection aids buyers to make the right decisions about their home purchase. For both buyers and sellers, it is an intense experience because the reports are not always favorable. Fortunately, you will find that home inspection uncovers things that are negotiable and manageable.

Regardless, when a Home Inspector in Markham completes an inspection of your property, a few questions may come into your mind. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should be asking your home inspection agency.

  1. Can You Explain The Report?

A home inspector usually uses general terms in their report, which you will understand. However, there are terms that you may not fully comprehend. So, it is better that you ask for better verbal clarification of such terms. When you get the report in hand and review it, consult with the house inspector, and ask for a clear-cut explanation.

  1. Is the Issue Typical?

The inspection reports may contain 25-50 pages depending on the number of problems with the home. The report may also include some pictures and details notes from the inspector. Due to different levels of details in the report, you may want to assure that a situation is under control

  1. How Big is the Issue?
    Home Inspector in Markham

                                                   Home Inspector in Markham

The main purpose of House Inspection is to discover severe structural and mechanical problems. A reliable and experienced home inspector will determine which items are of great concern and less worrisome. They will help you decide how to handle severe issues with the home and assist you in making the final decision.

  1. What is the Solution?

The home inspection report may suggest a few repairs that need to be taken care of before you move in. For example, faulty wires, leaking pipes, or ceiling issues are not ones you should ignore. You can ask for help from the professional inspector for such problems and necessary solutions.  

  1. Should I Purchase The House?

A professional home inspector will assess the foundation, drainage system, HVAC issues, wiring outlets, pipe leakages, and more. They will explain if a defect in the house are of major concern or is a typical issue. Considering their valuable advice, you can take crucial steps to curb the risk that comes with the investment.

The Bottom Line

Although, as a buyer, you make the final decision to buy a property, the home inspector assures that you enjoy your new property without needing to stress about issues. The Home Inspector in Markham will notify you if the house is not up to standards so that you can step back or negotiate with the seller.