Home Inspections for Buyers and Vendors
CAN/CSA A770 Compliant Home Inspections.
Standards documents issued by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) provide guidelines and specifications for products, services, and systems in a variety of industries. The home inspection standard helps to ensure the quality, and dependability of inspection services. It also promotes consistency and ease of understanding amoung a diverse group of industry professionals, working in real estate and finance, as well as homeowners and purchasers.
Introduction
Both pre-purchase and pre-sale inspections are conducted following the exact same standards, and produce very similar reports, with no differences in the main report content. Each report is compliant with national inspection and report standards, and only differs in summary content to suit the intended audience.
The inspector evaluates the condition of a home and identifies any potential problems or issues with the property. Home inspections are typically performed before the sale of a home, to give the buyer a better understanding of the condition of the property and to identify any potential problems that may need to be addressed. However, they are also useful to prepare for purchase offers that usually have inspection conditions attached. During a home inspection, the inspector will carefully evaluate the property, looking for any issues with the structure, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems, and other important components of the home. The inspector will then provide a written report detailing their findings, which can be used by the buyer to negotiate with the seller or to make any necessary repairs before closing on the property.
Pre-Purchase (Buyers) — Exercise Due Diligence
The pre-purchase home inspection, sometimes called buyer's inspection, minimize risks to purchasers and provides some assurance that surprise expenses are unlikely. Buyers frequently save thousands of dollars by making offers "subject to a successful home inspection" and renegotiating based on substantial report findings. Others simply avoid costly repairs and find better listings.
Inspections are essential in identifying, ranking, and prioritizing issues ranging from safety to minor deficiencies. Ultimately, new owners will receive valuable information on the need for maintenance to keep a home in good condition and will better understand the condition of the house which will help make confident decisions.
Pre-Sale (Vendors) — Avoid Surprises, Be Prepared
The pre-sale home inspection offers significant advantages by enabling the seller to address issues in advance. This may avoid potential deal breakers, delays, or reduced offers. In addition, correcting deficiencies before closing can be very difficult and costly. For example, hiring a roofing contractor last minute is subject to contractor availability, and time of the year, therefore urgent repairs will likely increase the value of quotations, and may reduce the quality of the repair.
Pre-sale inspections are not suitable for the purpose promoting sales. We feel owners are best served by identifying and resolving potential deficiencies, and that a perceived conflict of interest minimizes the value of the report as a testament of quality; buyer's are recommended to obtain their own pre-purchase inspection.
What is Included
Summary of Inspection Duties
Inspect, Describe, and Report on:
- structural components:
- foundations, floors, walls, ceiling, and roof
- exterior systems:
- wall cladding, flashing, and trim;
- exterior doors and windows;
- decks, balconies, steps, porches;
- eaves, soffits, and fascias;
- vegetation, grading, and surface drainage;
- walkways, patios, and driveways;
- landscaping structures that may adversely affect the building;
- garages and carports; and
- garage doors, and garage door operators
- roof systems:
- roof coverings;
- roof drainage systems;
- flashings;
- skylights;
- chimneys; and
- roof penetrations
- plumbing systems:
- water supply and distribution systems, including fixtures;
- drain, waste, and vent systems;
- water heating equipment;
- water heating equipment fuel storage and fuel distribution systems;
- fuel storage and fuel distribution systems; and
- drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping
- electrical systems:
- service drop, entrance conductors, cables, and raceways;
- service equipment and main disconnects;
- service grounding;
- interior components of service panels, and sub panels;
- distribution conductors;
- over-current protection devices;
- lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles;
- ground fault circuit interrupters; and
- arc fault circuit interrupters
- heating systems:
- heating system components;
- vent systems, flues, and chimneys;
- fuel storage and fuel distribution systems
- fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances
- air conditioning systems
- interior systems:
- walls, ceilings, and floors;
- steps, stairways, and railings;
- counter tops and cabinets;
- insulation and vapour barriers
- mechanical and natural ventilation systems
Inspections are essential in identifying, ranking, and prioritizing issues ranging from safety to minor deficiencies. Ultimately, new owners will receive valuable information on the need for maintenance to keep a home in good condition and will better understand the condition of the house which will help make confident decisions.
A home inspection does not constitute an evaluation or a verification of compliance with building codes, standards or regulations governing the construction industry or the health and safety industry, or proprietary information regarding insure-ability (ie. these are industry trade secrets).
