Purchaser's Pre-Purchase Home Inspection Service - few of us would consider buying a used car without first having a mechanic put it up on the hoist checking it after taking it out for a test drive. But that is exactly what many home buyers do when purchasing a resale home. They often fail to have a Professional Home Inspection performed on the home they are purchasing, even though ......... it is probably the " largest " and " most important " investment they will ever make.
A good Home Inspection will give you an unbiased assessment of the structural and mechanical soundness of the home. It will identify any existing or potential problem areas and give an overview. It will tell the potential purchaser if any major repairs are necessary or if there are fundamental flaws in the building or it's systems. Also get suggestions on how to solve any problems that are discovered and an estimate of the possible costs.
A good Home Inspection is the best way to 'test drive' your new home. It allows you to make your purchase with confidence. It avoids nasty surprises once the deal has closed, and it offers the chance to rethink or renegotiate an offer if serious concerns do arise.
Vendor's Pre-Listing Home Inspection Service - given the fact that more and more purchasers are writing conditional sales agreements with the condition that they have a Professional Home Inspector inspect the home before firming up the deal. Would you not agree that, you should have an Indepentent Home Inspection done while preparing your home prior to the entering into a listing agreement with a Real Estate Broker. Even before you take the time and expense to paint and decorate, get advise on what should be done and what the costs are before doing any renovations. Kind of like pre-safety before selling your old vehicle. ............... Know whether you should sell it " certified " or in an " as-is condition ".
Custom Build and Home Renovation Inspection Service - Once you have a firm contract and you have selected the features that will to into your new home. It is the time for the builder to turn your dream into reality.
You will undoubtedly want to visit the building site from time to time during construction to check out the progress, if you have the time and work or live near by. Professional builders welcome your participation and enthusiasm; however for safety reasons you should not enter the actual construction site unless by special appointment, an unauthorized visit may also contravene the local labour code with respect to the construction safety and or the builder's liability.
In terms of doing your own inspections, what will you be looking for ? Is the builder using new construction material and is the builder on time ? But beyond this, what else have you the training to inspect ?
You should be invited by the builder ...... usually three to five days before closing when construction is substantially completed for a 'walk-thru'. You most likely will receive a pre-delivery inspection report to check off. At this time if you find any imperfections, minor items such as scratches and incomplete paint work, which will only been seen on the surface, you may ask the builder to remedy the matter.
What happens after you move in a take the 'real test drive' ? The floors squeak, floor tile break easy, nails pop through the paint, running water causes noise throughout the home, doors and windows do not operate properly and when you start hanging pictures you notice the wall has curves. Later on the furnace or the air-conditioning makes noise when it is turned on, there is a crack in the basement or garage floor, your cedar deck material is splitting or in the sunlight you can see a checker-board effect on your siding.
Yes the City Building Department sends out a Building Inspector, this is to see that the builder builds your home to code. A Home Inspector has a further responsibility to see that all work meets the standards spelled out in the contract. This is the reason you have chosen to have a custom home built and not just purchase pre-built home that was built to code. Beyond the code, having a Home Inspector will assure that you are receiving standards above the building code.
Tradesmen on the site each have their own area of expertise and will not be able to discuss your home's progress with you ............... after all the work for the builder ............... even the presents of having your own Home Inspector working for you will keep all builders honest ............................ ...................... don't you think you need someone working for you.
