London Home Inspector

1.	How much does it cost for a home inspection?
2.	Do I need to be there?
3.	How long will the inspector be at the house?
4.	How much notice do you need to book an inspection?
5.	How can I schedule an inspection with you?
6.	How far do you travel for a home inspection?
7.	What Standards of Practice do you use for your inspections?
8.	What kinds of things are you looking at during the inspection?
9.	Will I need to meet you to go over the report, and what kind of report do you provide?
10.	Is it ok to call you a year or two after my inspection, if I have questions about my home?
11.	How objective are you? I’ve heard that most home inspectors really work for the realtors.
12.	My realtor says inspections are a waste of time and money. What do you think?
13.	As a buyer, how can I prepare for the inspection?
14.	As a seller, what should I do to get ready for an inspection?
15.	Do you recommend that I have a new home inspected? Isn’t it a waste of time?
16.	What do you inspect in a condo, townhouse or mobile home? Is the fee the same as a regular home inspection?
17.	What is a WETT inspection?
18.	Why do I need a WETT inspection?
19.	I’m already paying for a home inspection. How can I afford to have a WETT inspection too?
20.	Are there energy rebates available for insulation or furnaces at this time?

Answers

1.	How much does it cost for a home inspection?
A.	While this is one of the questions you should ask, it’s not the first thing or certainly the only thing! The price for a home inspection varies with the location of the home, the age, the size, and the condition. When you’re talking about an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars, it’s not worth taking a chance just because an inspector has the best price. So, do your homework and get the best inspector, which is what really matters. This is where experience and knowledge count.
	Give us a quick call, email us, or text 519-868-3407 to get a quote and set up your appointment. No pressure! We do not have a cancellation policy or fee at this time.
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2.	Do I need to be there?
A.	Yes! You can ask questions as you go, get some advice on home maintenance (i.e. how to change the furnace filter, how to check your sump pump, etc.), find out where things are located (i.e. water shut-off), and other pertinent info for homeowners. There’s nothing like being there to see everything firsthand, which will be of benefit when you’re reading through the report later on.
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3.	How long will the inspector be at the house?
A.	For an average-size home in average condition, expect to be there for 2 to 3 hours.
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4.	How much notice do you need to book an inspection?
A.	We’re used to people calling and needing an inspection within a couple of days, but call as soon as your offer is accepted to give yourself a bit of flexibility in scheduling. It can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to co-ordinate the realtor, the current owners, yourself, and the inspector! We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
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5.	How can I schedule an inspection with you?
A.	Call, text (226-376-4600) or email for a quote anytime, including evenings and weekends.
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6.	How far do you travel for a home inspection?
A.	I will travel far and wide to help you meet your conditions for home inspection – including, but not limited to, these towns/cities: London, Strathroy, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Belmont, Aylmer, St. Thomas, Delaware, Mt. Brydges, Port Stanley, Dutton, West Lorne, Rodney, Highgate, Ridgetown, Merlin, Rideau, Blenheim, Chatham, Dover Centre, Wallaceburg, Dresden, Petrolia, Mitchell’s Bay, Sarnia, Watford, Forest, Arkona, Port Franks, Grand Bend, Parkhill, Ailsa Craig, Lucan, Thorndale, Thamesford, Ilderton. Have ladder, will travel!
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7.	What Standards of Practice do you use for your inspections?
A.	Ryan follows the OAHI/CAHPI National Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics – the most widely accepted Canadian home inspection guidelines in use – recognized by many related professionals as the definitive Standards for professional performance in the industry. http://www.oahi.com/download.php?id=138
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8.	What kinds of things are you looking at during the inspection?
A.	Please see the SERVICES section of this website – Pre-Purchase Home Inspection. There is a comprehensive list of items inspected.
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9.	Will I need to meet you to go over the report, and what kind of report do you provide?
A.	We use an electronic reporting system – HORIZON – created by Carson Dunlop (considered by many to be the leader in home inspection services, software, and courses). After the inspection, we’ll email you a detailed, and easy to read, report with photos incorporated. Ryan uses a more prescriptive style of reporting, offering recommendations for identified defects. No need to meet, but feel free to call if you have any questions.
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10.	Is it ok to call you a year or two after my inspection, if I have questions about my home?
A.	You are always welcome to call if you have any questions about your home, anytime. Don’t assume we will remember your house immediately, but the report and photos can be looked up quickly.
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11.	How objective are you? I’ve heard that most home inspectors really work for the realtors.
A.	As a Registered Home Inspector (RHI), which is the highest level attainable within the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI), Ryan is held to the professional practice and conflict of interest guidelines laid out by this overseeing organization. http://www.oahi.com/english/about/code-of-conduct.html
	While he works with your realtor, you can count on the fact that Ryan works for you, and only you, giving you the information you need to make one of the biggest decisions for the largest investment you’ll likely ever make. We are completely independent, and proud of it!
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12.	My realtor says inspections are a waste of time and money. What do you think?
A.	Gaining knowledge and peace of mind is never a waste of time! Our motto is “Be aware BEFORE you buy!” A professionally trained home inspector will review the house as a system, helping you identify and understand your new home’s condition and safety. Ryan goes through the house and performs a comprehensive visual inspection, determining which systems are not working properly, where repairs might be needed, safety hazards, and even possibly problems that have been an issue in the past. Sometimes it is possible to use the inspector’s findings to renegotiate price, if a major defect is noted, or to walk away if there are too many issues. A good home inspector is worth every penny and more. It might even end up saving you money in the long run!
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13.	As a buyer, how can I prepare for the inspection?
A.	Read the contract that is sent to you by email before the inspection, along with the limitations and conditions of a home inspection. You must accept the terms and submit online to confirm your appointment, before arriving at the inspection.
	Being at the inspection is very important. You can ask questions as you go through the house, learn about the various systems, and hear and see exactly what the inspector is hearing and seeing. Please be on time and bring payment along with you – it’s due immediately following the inspection.
	Limit how many people attend the inspection. It can be distracting to have too many people there.
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14.	As a seller, what should I do to get ready for an inspection?
A.	Please provide access to all areas of the house. The inspector will be looking into the attic and basement/crawlspace areas, so if accesses are not open, it could negatively affect the sale of your home. Closets should be emptied if the attic access is within.
	The inspector will be investigating the furnace, electrical panel, water heater, water meter and shut-off, sump pumps, etc. Please ensure that these are accessible. Make sure the foundation walls are not completely lined with storage items, to ensure proper inspection of the foundation.
	Don’t leave computers on. The hydro may be cut to the house in the process of the inspection. Be prepared to reset clocks and digital displays when you get home! Please don’t leave your valuables in plain sight. Take items with you, if you are concerned. Remove or contain all pets, keeping in mind that the inspector will be in every room of your home. Clear areas beneath sinks for inspection of plumbing.
	Fix any nuisance issues, so they don’t end up in the report (i.e. GFCI’s in areas of water usage, smoke detectors and CO detectors installed and working, handrails on all stairways, etc.). Many little things can negatively impact the sale of your home.
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15.	Do you recommend that I have a new home inspected? Isn’t it a waste of time?
A.	While there’s less chance of things being wrong with a new home, Ryan often sees things that were missed by builders or simply not completed. He will help you understand how to maintain your home and what sorts of things you should watch for over the years.
	Every house has defects to some extent – some just more than others! Small things that are not corrected now can become big issues in the future – plus there’s nothing wrong with having a little peace of mind! If you have questions, you can call as long as you own your home.
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16.	What do you inspect in a condo, townhouse or mobile home? Is the fee the same as a regular home inspection?
A.	It’s really no different than inspecting any other home. Everything visible that can be accessed is inspected. The available systems such as the heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, etc. will all be examined thoroughly.
	Usually an inspection for a condo or townhouse or mobile home costs less – due to the smaller size and less time for the inspection. Again, it all comes down to size, location, and condition. Call, text (226-376-4600), or email for a quote.
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17.	What is a WETT inspection?
A.	A WETT inspection (Wood Energy Technology Transfer – SITE Basic Inspection) is a basic visual inspection of a wood-burning system for insurance purposes – sometimes necessary for the purchase of a home equipped with a wood-burning appliance. It is a general overview of the readily accessible parts of the heating system to determine if it meets current regulations (code compliance). It does not include repair or cleaning.
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18.	Why do I need a WETT inspection?
A.	Often, when a home changes hands, your insurance company will insist that the existing woodstove or fireplace be inspected. Lately, they have been pushing for all wood-burning systems to undergo a WETT inspection – for safety’s sake – even homeowners who’ve had a wood fireplace for many years without issue.
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19.	I’m already paying for a home inspection. How can I afford to have a WETT inspection too?
A.	The good news is that Ryan obtained his WETT certification more as a bonus to his home inspection clients. We understand the costs can be a bit much for both of these inspections at a time when there are many extra expenses. That’s why we offer a greatly reduced fee (less than half price!) on the WETT services, if the wood-burning inspection is done the same day/time as the home inspection.
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20.	Are there energy rebates available for insulation or furnaces at this time?
A.	Yes – there are actually several programs available with rebates for upgrades completed – i.e. insulation, furnace, water heater, windows, doors, etc. Call Union Gas or Enbridge for more details, and to see if you qualify.
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