Don’t end up with a house full of faults you hadn’t anticipated

Choosing a home inspector can be a difficult process. It is important to consult with family and friends to find a reliable inspector that has good references.

The Kate Broddick Team can provide you with local home inspectors to contact, however, it is important that you feel comfortable with the person you choose. Therefore, conducting an interview to ascertain their qualifications is very important.

Be sure to do your own independent investigation of the inspector’s qualifications.

Questions to ask your home inspector

  • How long has the inspector been in business as a home inspection firm?
  • Is the inspector specifically experienced in residential construction?
  • What does the inspection include? Inspections should include visual inspections covering exterior, structure, garage, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical, interior, insulation and ventilation. Extras include radon testing, a pest infestation survey or inspection of septic systems or wells. Be sure the inspector will provide a written report documenting all findings.
  • How much will it cost? Determine fees up front. Inspections cost from as little as $200 to as much as $1,000 depending on the size of the home and which inspection services are requested.
  • How long will the inspection take? The time depends on the size and age of the home, the average being 2 to 3 hours. Anything less isn’t enough time to do a thorough inspection.
  • Does the inspector encourage the client to attend the inspection? This is a valuable educational opportunity, and an inspector’s refusal means you should look for a better qualified inspector.
  • Inquire about the educational and/or the training facility the inspector attended. Does the inspector participate in continuing education programs to keep his/her expertise up to date? Ask to see the inspector’s papers. When hiring a company, make certain that your home will be inspected by a registered professional.
  • Does the company offer to do any repairs or improvements based on its inspection? This might cause a conflict of interest. We do not recommend that you deal with these firms.
  • Do they belong to an association that will investigate a consumer complaint?
  • Do they carry errors and omission insurance?

Types of home inspections 

Home inspections are an important part of the pre-purchase routine when buying a home. You may choose to have any of these types of inspections done when deciding to buy a home, or all of them!

Overall Home Inspection: Have the roof to the foundation inspected plus everything in between!

Septic Inspection: If the home has a septic system you’ll want to have it inspected and make sure it’s in good working order.

Water Testing: If the home has a well or cistern, you may want to have the water tested for unsafe levels of bacteria or minerals.

Asbestos/UFFI Testing: If your home is of a certain age, a special inspection of insulation containing asbestos or formaldehyde may be recommended.

*All information provided by the Brantford Regional Real Estate Association (BRREA) for the highest sales volume and highest number of completed transactions since January 1, 2015. All Brantford MLS® House Listings come from the various systems operated by Real Estate Boards and Associations across Canada. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used underlicense. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service®, and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

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