Questions You Should Ask...
...when choosing a home inspector
Choosing a home inspection company is an important decision for every home buyer. A thorough, pre-purchase inspection of a house can be your best defense against unwanted surprises after you move into your new home.
On this page of our site, we'll try to give you some insight into what questions you should ask when selecting a home inspection service. Even if you don't choose Town & Country Home Inspections, we'd like to help you make an educated decision.
QUESTIONS
The Company
1. Are your inspectors professional, prompt and friendly?
2. Do you insist on continuing education for your inspectors to keep them "up to date" on new techniques?
3. Does your company conduct any other business?
4. Do you have General Liability insurance?
5. Do you have Errors & Omissions insurance?
6. Are your inspectors bonded?
7. What is Real Estate Agent/Broker Referral Indemnity Insurance coverage?
8. Do you encourage the client to attend the inspection?
9. How soon can you typically schedule an inspection?
10. How long will the inspection take?
Answers
1. We are a service industry involved with the public at a very stressfull yet busy and exciting time of their lives. So the answer is yes. We stress to our inspectors that they be prompt and professional, yet friendly, in their dealings with clients and their agents.
2. Yes, as part of our committment to the public, the home inspection industry and to the growth and longevity of our company our inspectors are required to upgrade their skills annually. This entails courses and examinations for re-certification.
3. Town & Country Home Inspections is not involved in any other business. In accordance with the NACHI Standards of Practice, Town & Country Home Inspections does not participate in any referral or construction related activities. It represents a conflict of interest.
4. Yes, Town & Country Home Inspections does carry General Liability insurance. This is important in the event that an accident occurs while an inspection is underway.
5. Yes, Town & Country Home Inspections does carry Errors & Omissions insurance.This insurance is also refered to as Professional Liability Insurance and the coverage is geared to each specific profession. Our E & O insurance coverage is for Professional Home Inspectors and requires proof of certification by an industry leader.
6. Yes, Town & Country Home Inspections inspector(s)are bonded. We felt that this extra coverage would reinforce our committment to the public that Town & Country Home Inspections is a company to be trusted.
7. Very few home inspeciton companies carry this type of insurance but since we at Town & Country Home Inspections feel that it is paramount to our policy of providing peace of mind to the real estate industry, Town & Country Home Inspections has this "referral" insurance. A description follows: It covers any real estate agent and/or broker who may hire or refer you for the purpose of performing a home or commercial inspection. In the event the referring party is named or enjoined in any claim against you, a defense will be provided and any damages up to your aggregate limit (which in the case of Town & Country Home Inspections is one million dollars) will be paid.
8. Yes, at Town & Country Home Inspections we always encourage buyers to attend the inspection. Buyers that attend have a better understanding of the property as viewed by the inspector and are better able to read and interpret the final report. The buyer's attendance also helps them understand the scope of a home inspection as well as the limitations.
9. An inspection can usually be scheduled within one or two days. Town & Country Home Inspections is on call seven days a week from 8 am to 9 pm at 416-837-5144.
10. A typical inspection of a 2400 square foot single family home will take roughly 2.5 hours.
The Inspector
1. Technology is always changing, what cutting edge inspection tools do your inspectors carry?
2. How does Town & Country Home Inspections keep you on top of the changes in todays housing market in relation to inspections?
3. Since home inspectors are not licenced in Canada it is imperative that a home inspector be tested and, meet the strict criteria of a related association. What association(s) is Town & Country Home Inspections a certified member of?
Answers
1. Town & Country Home Inspections inspectors carry a "Tool Experts" arc fault, ground, reverse polarity and electrical tester. A gas monitoring device, a moisture meter, a scope mirror, a "Little Giant" ladder, a 7,000 candle flash light, and an array of safety tools just to mention a few. Our inspectors are well equiped and even wear "booties" to protect your carpets.
2. Our inspectors keep on top of new developments in the inspection business through an assortment of venues. They are required to update their credentials annually by taking courses and passing an exam. As members of several associations they receive newsletters on a regular basis and have "technical support staff" on call to help them with unusual situations.
3. Our inspectors are members of NACHI. The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors is a non-profit professional society dedicated to establishing standards of excellence for professional home inspectors. They are also members of AHIT, the American Home Inspectors Training Institute-Canadian Division and FREA, the Federation of Real Estate Apraisers.
The Report
1. How much will the inspection cost?
2. What will the inspection report include?
3. Is the report hand written or computer based?
4. How soon is the report available?
5. Does the report conform to NACHI Standards?
Answers
1. The inspection fees vary depending on the size and age of the house. It also varies as to the use of the house as some homes have additonal "apartments" in them. It is the service you receive, not how much you pay, that should be the deciding factor when picking a home inspector. Our average rate is $400 + GST. Please feel free to call our office on the mobile phone between 8 am and 9 pm at 416-837-5144 for a specific quotation.
2. A full inspection covers the Site/Grounds, Exterior, Structural Components, Foundation, Roof, Attic, Insulation, Ventilation, Plumbing, Electrical, Heating/AC, Garage, Kitchen, Bathrooms, and Interior.
3. You may choose between either hand written or typed computer generated report.
4. If you choose the hand written report it is available at the conclusion of the inspection. The computer generated report may be down loaded from the internet. This report may include selected photos and illustrations.
5. Yes, our reports conform to (and exceed) the NACHI Standards of Practice. These standards can be found at: www.nachi.org
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