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FAQs
At Little River Home Inspections we do our best to answer all of your questions. Below you will find a list of what we believe are the most frequently asked questions. If you have any questions that have not been answered below, do not hesistate to contact us.
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A typical inspection should take 2 to 3 hours to complete. This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, we recommend that they be informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.
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.
- Complete home inspection conducted by an experienced professional.
- Clear and easy to understand written home inspection report.
- Actionable recommendations.
- Maintenace tips for the upkeep of your home
- Phone support if you have questions regarding the inspection or report
While clients are welcome to follow along, inspections require the full attention of the inspector. A full on-site debriefing takes place at the end of each inspection, the timing of which is usually arranged in conjunction with your realtor in the case of a pre-purchase inspection.
We will document everything in a written report with photos and annotations.
Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home to the debriefing. You should also feel free to stop the inspector and ask questions during his presentation. If the inspector's comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for clarification.
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.
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. Your real estate professional can help you here.
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 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.
Scott is licenced through Consumer Protection BC and is a Candidate Member of the Home Inspectors Association of BC.
Our goal is to serve you as quickly as possible. 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 a home inspection.
We use infra-red imaging as a diagnostic tool during a home inspection. IR imagery can offer clues as to heat loss, leaks, heat distribution and more. The images are kept, along with every piece of photographic evidence taken during an inspection (not all photos are included in every report, there would be just way too many), for future referral if required.
During a buyer/seller inspection, the home inspector will be performing a visual, non-invasive, non-technically exhaustive inspection. This means that s/he will not be looking inside walls, pulling up floorboards, or digging up plumbing. They will, however, need easy access to the areas of the home they are inspecting. Preparing your home for inspection is all about providing that access where you can. So what is the best way to prepare for an inspection?
Preparing for a home inspection is important for home sellers to ensure a smooth and successful sale. A thorough inspection report can greatly influence the decision of potential home buyers. Any issues found during the inspection could potentially delay or even halt the sale of the home. Prepare in advance for a home inspection to address any known issues. This will help ensure a positive inspection experience and increase the chances of a successful sale. Taking the time to prepare the home for inspection can demonstrate to potential buyers that the seller cares for the property. This can help build trust and increase the likelihood of a sale.
Leave Utilities On
Even in a vacant home, power, water, and gas will need to be turned on during the inspection. Your inspector will be making sure that everything is in good working order. They will check appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, crawl spaces, electrical panels, and any other relevant systems. If any of these are not in operation, the inspection cannot be completed.
Make Areas Easily Accessible
Obviously, the home inspector needs to be able to inspect your home. If there are moving boxes, furniture, or delicate-looking items in their way, they won’t be able to do their job. These things all fall under the umbrella of “limitations to the inspection.” Your home inspector will not remove any limitations to the inspection. Even if these limitations are blocking the way to an access point inside the home, they will not be removed. They will
simply note on their report that they were unable to inspect the water heater because there were boxes stacked in front of it.
Remove Pets
You love your pet, but they can make an inspection problematic. The home inspector will need to open and close doors to inspect both the inside and outside of your property; you wouldn’t want your beloved pet to make a break for it. Have your pet spend the day at another location (a petsitter’s or a doggy daycare) so they don’t inhibit the inspection. Closing them up in another room is not an adequate substitute, as the inspector won’t
be able to inspect that room (especially if they suspect that your pet is aggressive).
Leave Before the Buyers Arrive
In most cases, the seller will not be present during a buyer inspection unless they have cleared it with the realtor first. Make plans to go to work, run errands, or hang out at a coffee shop while the inspection is going on. Most full-home inspections only take about 2-3 hours, so you won’t be
inconvenienced for long. Of course, if the seller is the one obtaining the inspection, feel free to stay home the entire time.
Let the Inspector Work
If you will be remaining in your home during the inspection, this does not mean you should follow the inspector around, providing commentary on the house. This will only prolong the inspection and distract the inspector.
After the Inspection
After the inspection is finished, pay close attention to the way the inspector left your house. At Little River Home Inspections, I always make sure the thermostat is turned back to normal and the oven turned off. I also make sure to lock all doors and windows if that's how I found them, so if you prefer that they remain unlocked, check them afterward. Sometimes, things will come up during the inspection that I am unable to correct. If, during the course of an inspection, a GFCI outlet will not reset (part of the electrical system), this may affect any appliances that run out of that outlet (a definite problem if
that appliance is a fridge).
Conclusion
Knowing how to prepare for a home inspection can not only ease the inspection process, it can make the process of selling your home easier as well.
By making the inspector’s job easier, you are demonstrating to the buyers that you are confident in the home’s condition and are willing to address any potential issues that may arise. It also helps you to get a more thorough inspection, so that there are no unpleasant surprises later on.