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FAQs
At Calgary Property Inspectors 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.
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Our typical fee for an inspection is $495 with a discounted rate for apartment style condos at $345 since they take less time. However, some factors will affect the fee. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the deciding factor unless the level of service offered is identical. Remember, you are considering a major purchase and your choice of home inspector should be based on getting the best value, not just the best price.Calgary Property Inspectors NEVER charges more for the use of a thermal infrared camera on an inspection.
- Complete home inspection conducted by an experienced professional.
- Thermal Imagery.
- Comprehensive written home inspection report.
- Technical support for as long as you own your home.
Definitely! We encourage you to attend. The inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers. We pride ourselves on putting the recommendations we have into perspective by answering questions such as What do we need to do right now? and What can wait until next year?
You don't have to take notes during the inspection. We will document everything in a written report. It's much better to follow the inspector through, listening to his comments to make sure you understand. It's also a great opportunity to ask questions and to clarify anything that confuses you.
Be sure to bring a tape measure to measure the windows for the curtains and blinds you're wanting to install in your new home :)Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home. You should also feel free to stop the inspector and ask questions as you go. If the inspector's comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for clarification.
You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 2 1/2 hours walking through the home with the inspector. You won't have to climb on the roof or go into the attic, so your clothes won't get dirty.
I love kids and have a couple of my own but I recommend that you not bring your family; this is a technical evaluation, and you will be interacting with the inspector — the fewer distractions, the better. Experience has shown that as the future home owner you'll get much more out of the inspection when there are fewer distractions.
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 shower stalls leak when people use the shower but don't leak when you simply turn on the shower. 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. Home warranty programs are available from others. We recommend working with your realtor if you wish to ourchase a home warranty.
Yes! Gavin is a member of InterNACHI - the worlds largest trade association for Home Inspectors.
Gavin is licensed, bonded and insured to carry out home inspections in Alberta following all provincial regulations.
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.
However, there's always a possibility that we may have an opening at short notice! That includes Saturdays, Sundays and evenings. Whatever the schedule the exterior portion of the inspection will have to be completed during daylight hours.YES! Calgary Property Inspectors has NO EXTRA CHARGES for the use of a thermal infrared camera on an inspection.
Seriously - Why would I even consider not using one? I believe so strongly that it should be an industry standard technology I carry a spare one just in case.
My advice for you as a client is to be wary of any company that tries to upsell you to use a thermal camera because it means they're willing to send their inspectors out with one hand tied behind their back.*Almost is the right answer. I do remember one building in particular that was so close to perfect then a single bulb burned out as we finished up...
Even if the home is perfect now, routine maintenace as you turn a house into a home is a normal part of home ownership. I'll happily help you prioritise what you'll need to plan for in the coming months. Routine maintenance can be as simple as recaulking a kitchen countertop or changing a furnace filter.
There are many good home inspection companies in the Calgary area that are a true credit to the profession!! You simply won't hear me trash talking other inspectors to try and convince you that I'm the only possible solution.
But,...unfortunately there are also a small handful of companies that I certainly wouldn't trust for the home my family would be living in.
In the event my availability is limited and we just can't find a time that works for both us I will point you towards some other reputable local companies that I would feel comfortable trusting with my own home.
When inspecting a home there's usually going to be some kind of maintenance or repairs to be planned for. My approach when discussing the findings with home buyers is to put those maintenance items and repairs into perspective. What needs to be done before closing? What needs to be done before moving in? What needs to be done within a few months? What should simply be budgeted for in the future? And what's just a nice to have?
Have you ever felt you need a trusted professional to ask those questions that you feel you're supposed to know but don't know where to turn?
Calgary Property Inspectors offers an " Ask an Inspector Service" as an exclusive service to Realtors. There's NO CHARGE and there's NO OBLIGATION to use me on your next client's inspection. The way I see it is that over time as you get to know me you'll feel comfortable offering my services as one of three choices to your clients, or when your regular home inspectors are booked up.
Serving Southern Alberta with Residential Home Inspections and Multi-Unit Property Inspections