Tag: Home Inspector

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.

Certified Home Inspector in Toronto
Certified home inspector toronto

What are the Most Common Issues that can fail a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a visual examination of a property or house to evaluate its current condition. It is done by a Certified Home Inspector who gives a detailed report on various parameters to determine whether a home is safe for living or not. A home inspection covers the examination of a property from roof to foundation to find potential issues that can cause trouble in the future. It is very important for a property to pass the inspection to ensure the buyers that no serious issues have been detected.

A typical home inspection process covers the examination of the following:

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

A home inspector simply provides the information in the report based on his finding. He doesn’t advise the clients to make a decision based on his report. A client can use the information provided by the inspector to decide whether or not to buy the house.

The most common issues that can fail a Home Inspection are those that impose health and safety concerns. A buyer shouldn’t ignore these areas of an inspection report before making the final decision:

Structural issues

Certified Home Inspector in Toronto

                              Certified Home Inspector in Toronto

The structural elements of a home include roof, foundation, walls, framing, slabs, and crawl spaces. A home inspector looks for potential issues such as poor construction, structural damage, and poor drainage that can cause troubles to the people living there. A stable foundation and construction are essential for safety and one should worry about it.

Moisture and water damage

Any water damage or moisture problem in the basement and attic can lead to mold or mildew formation. It can cause health issues to the people living in the home. Water damage in the basement can cause structural integrity issues due to spalling in concrete, brick, or stone.

Electrical and plumbing issues

Plumbing and electrical system is the backbone of any home and no one can survive without them. While a plumbing issue can lead to water damage or moisture problem, a faulty electrical system can be very hazardous. Faulty electrical and plumbing equipment and network can cause costly maintenance issues in the future.   

Pests and termites

Pest and termite infection can create serious issues in any home. A certified home inspector looks for potential pest issues and how long they have been active. Termites, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles in any home can damage walls, floors, and wooden structures to a large extent.

These are the most common issues that can pass or fail a home inspection. Passing a home inspection test means there is no potential damage or issues have been discovered in the home and you can live with your family happily and safely. If you are looking for a Certified Home Inspector in Toronto to conduct a property inspection before making a purchasing decision, Contact us at JJ Home Inspections for the most trusted and reliable evaluation of the property on various fronts.

Home Inspectors in Toronto
Home Inspectors in Toronto

What is Thermal Imaging and what are Its Benefits in Home Inspection?

Whether you are selling or buying a home, a home inspection is something you cannot avoid. If you do so, chances of negotiation and getting the price are reduced. It means you suffer from dire consequences.

In the last few years, the home inspection process has changed significantly. There is no space for regular inspection, which includes visualization, sampling, and other manual actions. The Home Inspectors in Toronto have started using thermal imaging for inspection.

Thermal Imaging in Home Inspection 

Also known as infrared thermography, thermal imaging technology analyses the thermal variances on surfaces to find the defects in various systems in a building. In the process, the home inspector looks at the vulnerable areas if sensed in the infrared scan.

Other than checking the structural and system damages, infrared imaging uses infrared technology to find temperature variations. It’s usually combined with the regular Home Inspection for a thorough inspection.

Benefits of Thermal Imaging in Home Inspection 

Detects problems with Energy Efficiency

Home Inspectors in Toronto

                            Home Inspectors in Toronto

If the house is not sealed or insulated property, the HVAC systems have to suffer the consequences. They have to work overtime to compensate. For example, the air conditioners work twice hard than normal functioning because air continues to escape. On the other hand, heating systems strain to keep the house warm because escapes continuously.

With the help of infrared imaging, it’s easy for the home inspectors to reveal these problems by showing hidden cracks, gaps, missing insulation, and more.

Detects problems with electrical systems 

The uneven temperature in the electrical systems within your home can lead to electrical fires. Both low and high temperature is not advised for the electrical systems; it should be relatively consistent. The infrared or thermal technology detects the overheated pockets and prevents any fire accident in the future.

You shouldn’t take electrical issues lightly and should address them as soon as detected.

Detects problems with moisture 

Water damage and moisture are neither good for your property nor your health. If these problems are not treated on time, they weaken the structure and lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which leads to respiratory issues.

It’s difficult to detect water damages unless excessive flooding or rainfall is coming on the roof. With the help of thermal imaging, home inspectors detect the unusual spots behind walls, floors, and cabinets.

Hire home inspectors using thermal imaging during a home inspection 

With so many benefits of thermal imaging in home inspection, we recommend hiring a home inspector who uses this technology. We know he will not get through the walls of your house, but at least he will provide extra insights into a home inspection.

Lastly, if you are looking for one of the best Home Inspectors in Toronto with thermal imaging technology, you should contact J J Home Inspections. We include thermal imaging in our regular inspection routine at no extra cost.

Certified Home Inspection
Home Inspection

The 3 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Home Inspection

Whether you are a home buyer or seller, signing an agreement without a home inspection process is not a brainer. We know it’s an add-on expense, but it’s important for your safety and to secure your investment.

During the Home Inspection, a specialized officer checks the damages and defects of the house you are planning to sell or buy and prepare a report based on different parameters. They look after structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues to ensure that the house is safe to live in. Not only this, the report prepared by a home inspector gives an upper hand while negotiating the cost from the other party. At every step of a home sale or purchase deal, home inspection plays an important role.

Even with so many advantages, people hesitant about getting their house inspected before selling or buying because of lots of questions in their minds. You might also come across these while making a deal.

To make things easy, we have answered the 3 most frequently asked questions about the home inspection in this post.

What is the cost of the home inspection service?

The cost of the service depends on the company you hire and other variables defined by the Home Inspectors

The variables are:

Home Inspection

                                        Home Inspection

  • Location of the property or the time taken by the inspector to reach the location
  • Size and age of the home
  • Condition of the real estate market
  • The urgency of the inspection and report delivery
  • Any additional services like mold inspection

You should not determine the cost before communicating with professionals. The best is to research online or ask for a price quote.

How long the home inspection process takes?

Just like the cost of the service, there is no standard time for the home inspection report. It depends on the number of officials working on the property and the following factors.

  • Size and age of the property
  • Number of systems installed and need to be inspected
  • Accessibility to the areas to be inspected
  • The weather condition of the property location
  • State regulations and permissions if required
  • Questions and answer session with the client
  • Additional services

Usually, it takes 3 to 4 hours, but still, you shouldn’t assume. Also, you shouldn’t rush during the home inspection.

What is the process of a home inspection?

  • The home inspection process starts with an initial consultation with the client. This consultation is majorly is for knowing the client’s expectations from a home inspection.
  • Once the details are noted, the home inspector visits the location and checks the details from the top to bottom. The expert does not leave any corner of the house.
  • Upon completion, the inspector gives a verbal overview of his findings or provides a comprehensive inspection report. Along with the report, most home inspectors advise the right steps to improve the condition or tricks to negotiate the cost.

Due to cost and lack of time, people often think of DIY Home Inspection, but they forget that it’s not so easy. A home inspector’s job is like an advocate who analyses the home structure or utilities and proves his words. So hire a certified home inspector and save your investment.

Licensed Home Inspectors
Licensed home inspector Toronto

Is Hiring a Home Inspector Worth your Time? Let’s Find Out!

There is nothing wrong with stating that every individual thinks and believe that one of the biggest investments anyone can ever make in his or her life is buying a home! Undoubtedly, this is something really hefty, which makes it more crucial to check and comprehend all the aspects related to buying are residential property or homes prior to investing your hard-earned moolah.

One of those imperative aspects includes a thorough home inspection. All across the globe, there are tens of hundreds of organizations or firms that can offer you reliable home inspection services. Needless to mention, now you might have started wondering why you should invest in hiring a licensed home inspector? Right? So, just to keep your stress at bay, in this blog we are going to highlight some advantages of picking up a Licensed Home Inspector or home inspection services.

The Utmost Advantages are mentioned underneath-

  1. Imperative Insights-Without any denial a proper home inspection can help in revealing the most important details related to the home and its current condition, which in result can help the investor aware of what costs, fixations and keep ups the home may need on an urgent basis. On the off chance, if a buyer isn’t feeling comfortable with the current condition of the home, he has all the right to renegotiate or walk away from the purchase. On the flip side to this, a positive report can solidify the buyer’s decision.
    Licensed Home Inspectors

                             Licensed Home Inspector

  2. Illegal Constructions or installations- With the help of a Home Inspection Service, it becomes easy in figuring out whether the additional rooms, altered garages, or basements are legally constructed or not. Just for instance, if a house has illegal room additions that are un-permitted, it surely is going to effects the insurance, taxes, usability and on top of everything the value of the house. In other words, a buyer is purchasing something that is illegal or legally doesn’t have its existence.
  1. Protection-A quality home inspection can also help in protecting all parties of the transaction, i.e. Real Estate Agents, Buyers, and Sellers, from upcoming claims by revealing the proper insights that may be not known to the parties. It is right to say that Seller’s disclosure statements generally never provide all the crucial information related to mind baffling defects and conditions of mechanical equipment. With this being said, however, it is also possible that sellers themselves may not be aware or have sufficient knowledge or information about the concerning situation.
  2. Negotiating Tool-It provides (a home inspection report) an opportunity to ask the seller about the fixations or request a reduction in the value of the house. Hence, it is a brainer to hire a licensed home inspector. Work along with your realtor to comprehend what requests can and ought to be made to grab a better deal. 
  1. Insurance-There isn’t any doubt that some insurance providing firms will not insure a home in case they discover certain conditions or without the presence of certifications like Wood Destroying Insect Reports and four-point inspections. Qualified Licensed Home Inspectors can do these things efficiently along with performing other tasks, which in result will save loads of money as well the time of a purchaser. 

These were five major benefits that you must consider at the time of buying a home. For more information, get in touch with us.

licensed home inspector
Home Inspection

Top Reasons to Have a Home Inspection before Buying a House

When you are investing your savings in real estate, you should take your time to find the right property in excellent condition for better returns. A professional home inspection is a way to determine the condition of any residential or commercial property before moving further. Once you decide on a potential house or any other property you are going to purchase, hire a home inspector to conduct a thorough inspection of the property before finalizing the contract.

A Home Inspection by a professional home inspector helps investors to assess the value and condition of the property they are planning to buy. Here are the top reasons why you should consider a professional inspection before buying a new house.

Safety

A home inspection lets you uncover potential safety issues to avoid any future trouble. You cannot judge a home by its facade and you need to find what’s inside. A professional Home Inspector conduct inspections to find issues such as crumbling structure, worn roofing, non-functional windows, improper electrical wiring, and plumbing issues that can be dangerous as well as costly to repair. It can also help you detect hazardous issues like mold formation that causes different health issues with continuous exposure.

Pest and insect problems

Depending on the location of the property, pest and insect infection can be an issue in a house. Pests or insects like termites, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants can create problems in any home. A home inspection service that includes pest and insect inspection can investigate for any infection in the woods, walls, or surface to make sure that the house is okay to purchase.

Forecast maintenance and repair

Home Inspection

                              Home Inspection

Pre home inspection also helps you forecast the maintenance, repair, or renovation works you will need to do before move-in. This way you can set your expenses to manage everything in your budget. Buying a home is a significant investment that’s why you should be aware of the future expenses of owning the house you are going to purchase.

Negotiation

Once you know the real condition of the house, you can determine the actual value of the property with the help of your real estate agents. It helps you negotiate on your points provided during the home inspection process to get a better deal on your investment to save some money. You can negotiate with confidence by projecting the maintenance and repair cost it will take to reduce the price of the property.

Peace of mind

The main purpose of a home inspection is to ensure that the home is safe and ready to move for most of the part. It gives you peace of mind that you are investing in a property that has no or fewer issues that can be easily managed with some maintenance works.

The above reasons clearly indicate why a home inspection is highly recommended. When you are looking for Professional Home Inspection services, you should look for home inspectors that have a professional certificate and years of experience to perform various inspections in construction and house safety.

Home Inspection
Home Inspection

The 4 Factors That Affect the Length of House Inspection Process

Most often, both buyers and sellers drop the idea of a home inspection because they think it’s a lengthy process. And they have to take time out from their busy schedule to stay with the home inspector during the process.

A Home Inspection is a lengthy process but not always. If a neighbour or a close friend of yours spent the entire day on the inspection process, then it does not mean you will go through the same. There are a few factors that define the length of the home inspection process. And these factors are different for different people. So you should not make a decision based on what others went through.

If you are still not convinced, read the 4 factors that determine the length of the home inspection process.

What is the size of the property?

It’s one of the major factors that influence home inspection time. The theory of size is very simple. If the house is small, it will take lesser time; on the other hand, if the house is large, the home inspector will take more time. Other than the size of the property, the large basements and attics will increase the time as compared to homes that don’t have them.

Where is the property located?

Not just the structure of the house, the location does play a major role in deciding the length of the home inspection process. If your house is located in a dry area, it is easy to inspect the property and takes lesser time as compared to the property located at the top of a hill. The walls are surfaces are dried which makes it easy for the inspectors to spot the defects and damages. If the area suffers from severe storms, the inspection time will increase and many other factors will be taken into consideration.

How old is the property?

Home inspectors

                                     Home inspectors

The age of the property directly affects its condition. The structure gets weaken and suffer from several defects and damages. According to experts, if the property is older than 50 years, it takes longer to inspect. It is because more tests are administered to ensure that the foundation is in good condition. As compared to old homes, new or not so old homes will take lesser time.

Not just inspection, report making also takes time in older homes because Home Inspectors have to work on more parameters and get accurate results.

What are the disaster risks in the location?

Other than factors related to your home, the environmental conditions and disasters play major roles in the home inspection time. A home inspector has to consider different factors based on the location of the property. In areas that are prone to flooding, tornadoes, or wildfires, the inspection time is more because homes here have extra spaces like basements and storm shelters to inspect.

Now, you have an idea of the factors due to which the time of home inspection varies. So while comparing it with other homeowners, you should keep these as parameters.

Lastly, in any situation, no one should ever think of skipping the Home Inspection process because it’s about a huge transaction. A small mistake can reduce the sale price for the sellers and severely impact the investment of the buyers.

Home Inspectors in Toronto
Licensed home inspector Toronto

The 5 Signs That Show You Hired an Amateur Home Inspector

 Just like other professions, home inspectors do need proper training and certification to conduct a home inspection. It’s a comprehensive and methodical process that requires the right experience and use of the right tools and technology to deliver an accurate result. In anything is missed during the Home Inspection process, both your effort and investment will go in vain.

Though home inspection is a very specific process, homeowners take for granted and someone who is not experienced or offers the service at a low cost. They try to save money on something which they should never do.

In most cases, homeowners do not realize even after working with an amateur home inspector, thinking everything is fine as he was a professional too. They stay relaxed and start focusing on other tasks.

At present, you might not face any problem after the inspection is complete and the report is received but the future can be problematic. So, to ensure you were not in the wrong hands, you should look for the following signs.

Missed the issues which were later found by you

If you find damage or any other issue in your property after the inspection is complete, you were not working with an experienced person. A well-trained home inspector looks into every corner and nothing is missed out from his eyes, especially if the damage is huge. If you can detect the issue, then it’s very easy for a professional to identify.

Caused damage to your property during the inspection

Licensed Home Inspector

                 Licensed Home Inspector

 During the inspection, the safety of the property lies in the hands of the professionals. They use the right tool for inspection and prevent any damage. The risk of property damage is no or very less when working with a professional. If your house gets damaged during inspection, the inspector was an amateur.

Caused harm to himself during the inspection process

In a few cases, the condition of the property is poor that leads to accidents and injuries. The Professional Home Inspectors are aware of these accidents so they take several precautions for self-safety and avoid any injury. If a person is hurting himself during the inspection process, it means he is not well-trained to handle such situations.

Report is either incomplete or bloated

The report presented by a home inspector says a lot about the knowledge and experience of the person. Different parameters are included in a home inspection report to show the detailed analysis. You should check online or consult an expert to know all the parameters. If the points are missing, it means the home inspector has submitted an incomplete report. He is not capable to prepare a report.

Listed issues which were not actually issues

Even if the report is complete, you might find some issues in it. And the most common one is listing the issues which were actually not found in the property. If you were with the inspector during the inspection process, it will be easy for you to spot these mistakes. An amateur home inspector does so to complete the report in a wrong way or show his fake expertise.

As a responsible owner, a home inspection is important for now and forever. So if you notice these signs after the completion of the home inspection process, we recommend hiring a certified and Licensed Home Inspector (don’t make your selection based on service cost) and perform home inspection again. We know things will get costly but nothing is more important than your safety.