1. Contracts + Agreements
The first step in your home inspection is signing your contracts. All home inspectors require a contract to be signed before an inspection can be performed. This contract clearly lays out the location, the date, and the terms of the inspection. It is designed to protect both the inspector and the client.
The Scope of Inspection Agreement describes in full detail what is included in your inspection, and what is not. For example: inspection of the roof is included in the scope, but inspection of swimming pools is not. You can view the HIABC (Home Inspector's Association of BC) Scope of Inspection Document here.
2. Performing the Inspection
A typical home inspection that we perform will take about 4 hours on-site. You can expect this time to be longer for larger houses, or if additional add-on services like a WETT inspection are required.
Your inspector will assess the following systems during the home inspection:
Roof
Exterior
Structure
Plumbing
Interior
HVAC
Electrical
Fireplaces
Attics + Crawlspaces
3. Viewing the House
Can I attend the inspection?
This is a common question. Home inspections are long and thorough. For this reason, we do not suggest attending the inspection itself. If you wish to view the property at the end of the inspection for a walkthrough, we are happy to accommodate you.
4. Reading the Report
Your report will be delivered through email, and is available to view online. You can view a sample report here.
Home inspection reports can be long and information-dense. They contain a lot of valuable information about the house. We recommend that our clients read their report a minimum of three times. Prior to subject removal, upon possession, and again one year later.
5. Making Your Decision
Once you've thoroughly reviewed your home inspection report, you're ready to take the next step. We recommend consulting with your Realtor at this stage to develop a strategy based on the inspection report. Make sure you fully understand your rights and legal obligations before proceeding with or terminating a deal based on an inspection.
Key Points
Sign your contracts and agreements before the inspection starts.
Review the HIABC Scope of Inspection to understand what's included and what's not.
Arrange to have a walkthrough of the house at the end of the inspection if desired.
Read the report thoroughly.
Talk with your Realtor and understand your rights and obligations moving forward.