What Type of Home Inspection Do I Need?

When purchasing a home one of the most important decisions a buyer must make is to get a certified home inspector to perform a through evaluation of the property. The home inspection not only aids in evaluating the condition of the property but its overall performance as well. A professional home inspection will help identify whether the owner carried out any maintenance or necessary repairs on the home. Unfortunately, many first-time buyers presume that the inspections main purpose is identifying the visible flaws in the house.

The danger in only concerning your self with the visible flaws is that you could over look less obvious defects to the homes major systems which may incur a major expense down the road.

So, just what types of house inspection should you obtain to ensure you get your money’s worth when closing on a home? The following are a few of the critical ones.

7 Types of Home Inspections You May Need

General Home Inspection

The general inspection is perhaps the most common type of assessment known to homeowners. Here, the inspector will focus on features like the plumbing, HVAC system’s efficiency, electrical wiring, structural features as well as roof installations. If the property was being managed professionally there’s a good chance that regular maintenance was maintained, but only a professional home inspection will confirm this.

The whole aim of the inspection is to identify defects or system issues, which need repair or replacement, to bring the home up to standard.  If the inspector finds a deficiency, he  might recommend bring in an expert to fully evaluate the problem and provide a reasonable solution.

When conducting a general home inspection, it is prudent to look for an inspector certified by the province, or one who is a member of reputable national organizations like the National Association of Home Inspectors, or the Ontario Building Officials Association.  Innisfil Home Inspections is a Certified Building Code Official and a Certified Master Inspector.

Barrie On has one of the hottest Real Estate markets in Southern Ontario.  Contact the Barrie Home Inspector for professional home inspection.

 

Termite or Wood destroying insects

If you live in areas with warm climates then conducting a termite or wood boring insect inspection is a must. The review will help to unearth evidence of structural damage caused by termites, powder post beetles, carpenter ants, and bark beetles. Additionally, the investigation will bring to light any real structural defects likely to be problematic in the future. For example, wood being in direct contact with the soil, which can cause wood decay or dry-rot. While the cost of a termite inspection might vary depending on the property size and the inspector’s fee, it averages between $100 and $ 200.

Chimney Inspection

Besides making the house look architecturally and aesthetically appealing, the chimney adds a sense of warmth, safety, and comfort to your home. It is, therefore, important that you inspect it to ensure it is working efficiently. The inspector will examine it to ascertain whether its joints, liners, flues, interior walls and connectors, have any defects such as cracks, which might inhibit the chimney’s effectiveness in discharging smoke. A chimney inspection costs approximately $ 175.00  and depending on the review findings; the WETT Certified Inspector might recommend chimney restoration or maintenance services.

WETT Certified Inspections are typically required by most home insurance companies.  Call Barrie WETT Inspections when your wood burning appliance requires an inspection.  Using a wood burning appliance without knowing if it is properly installed can jeopardize you and your families’ safety.

 

Foundation, Lot Size, and Boundaries Inspection

It is not surprising for a house to have a faulty and problematic foundation or lot size and boundary issues. Since such a property can cause legal and safety concerns, it is prudent to get an inspection report on these three elements. It will help to determine whether the house has any foundation issues, is sliding, sinking, or in the right location.  Title insurance will cover most of these issues and is recommended by most lawyers.  The home inspection will also include any problems or issues found in your lots landscaping and water management.   All subdivisions have to have a water management plan in place prior to starting construction.

Air Quality Testing  and Asbestos  Testing

Some air pollutants are evident by odor and some can even be visible. However, there are many harmful, air-borne pollutants that are not as easily detectable. For these pollutants, an air quality test is recommended. An air quality testing lab can help determine what pollutants are present and in what concentrations..

The Innisfil Home Inspector offers  air quality testing and testing for asbestos and other harmful products that may be in your home.

Indoor Air Testing

There are a number of contaminants indoors that can negatively impact health, coming from either local air pollution sources, the building structure itself, or from former land use contaminants. The first indicator that air is not of good quality is lingering odor or deteriorating health.

If you suspect poor indoor air quality in your home or your work environment, it is crucial to receive assistance from an air quality testing specialist. To establish indoor air quality, proper sampling and analysis at an accredited air testing laboratory is the first step.

Water Inspections

If the home you are interested in gets its water supply from a well, you need to test the quality of the water, its water table depth, and sanitation level. Some of the things you should also check for include; water portability, hardness, and pathogens like E. coli, Volatile Organic Compounds, and heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Here too, you should only use a Ontario-certified laboratory. Sample bottles and test results are FREE.

Inspect the plumbing, septic, and sewer system

Even though you might have checked the plumbing during the general inspection you should find out from the plumber whether you need to replace the pipes, more so, if they are the galvanized type. These kinds tend to clog from time to time, meaning you might need to carry out frequenting plumbing maintenance. Similarly, get a sewer inspection to determine whether you home is connected to a sewer system or a septic tank.

Conclusion

When buying a house you should be adamant about getting your independent inspection reports, even if the property owner insists that he or she already has done the inspection. Even though it will cost you more, it might just save you a fortune in property repairs and maintenance costs in the long run.  Read about the Innisfil Home Inspector

Free Thermal Imaging is available with every home inspection.  Thermal Imaging can help find hidden moisture, missing insulation and electrical hot spots.

Read about the About the Innisfil Home Inspector

When buying a home in Wasaga Beach call the Wasaga Beach Home Inspector