Why home inspections in Calgary are required

When you’re preparing to buy a home, you may begin to contemplate whether or not you should get a home inspection done. While such an inspection may seem like a time-consuming venture, it is imperative you get one completed before you begin the process of becoming a homeowner. The alternative to getting a home inspection is ultimately relying on the homeowner to tell you about every fault in the home, but this can prove difficult if the homeowner isn’t aware or just neglects to disclose to you every detail that is often deemed a necessity. Because of this, home inspections in Calgary that are executed by an unbiased professional will give you a detailed report on the home you want to buy.

Find out the main reasons why a home inspection is necessary and why you should get one when you’re about to buy a home.

Undetected issues

You may see a home and immediately feel compelled to it based on if the floor plan is to your liking, the kitchen is sizeable for you, and the floors sound solid, without much consideration of the other housing elements involved besides aesthetics. Because there could be issues with the home that can’t be detected by the naked eye, a home inspection is vital to have completed. A home inspector will check areas where problems are most likely to be present, like in the basement or attic. A home inspector will have the tools and resources to ensure the inside of your home is safe enough to live in or if there are undetected issues that need to be tackled.

Structural problems

Veiled housing problems don’t just exist inside a home you’re looking to purchase, as structural problems often manifest without a homeowner even knowing the extent of these issues. A home inspector will identify structural issues around the foundation of a home or within the walls and will assess the damage, so you’ll know the extent of the damage involved and how much it could inevitably cost you.

Improved safety

The most defining factor a home inspection will offer you is a sense of safety before you buy a home. A home inspection will ensure that a home is safe enough to move into and could eliminate any worry. By checking the status of the structure itself, the electrical wiring and the plumbing, you can obtain important information on whether or not a home is safe enough that you wouldn’t be able to ascertain without a thorough home inspection.

Maintenance costs and accurate budgeting

Home inspections in Calgary will provide you information on how much it will cost to repair any damages in a home that was already lived in, which will help you calculate an accurate move-in budget. When you receive a home inspection, it will also give you an indication of whether you want to invest in a home that requires costly maintenance.

Cost-effective

Although you may believe that a home inspection will inflate your budget, this is simply the case. Home inspections are actually affordable for any owner, with the cost ranging from $150 to $300. If you require specific inspections, like for HVAC concerns, the cost might increase, but not to an untenable amount.

Integra Inspection Services is the leading provider of home inspection services throughout Calgary. Our commitment to our clients is evident by our honest and thorough Calgary home inspections. Our service is available for residential buildings, including homes, townhouses, and condos. Whether you are a buyer, seller, or a realtor, we conduct complete home inspections to determine if your property has any structural flaws and to prevent future costly repairs. Our Calgary home inspections include infrared thermal imagine on every inspection for an accurate, detailed inspection. For all of your home inspection or commercial property assessment needs, we can help. Schedule your inspection with Integra Inspection Services.

What to expect from a Calgary home inspection

Buying a house is an overwhelming process; you are choosing your new home for a long period of time, and you are also making a huge investment, so it only makes sense that you feel nervous about such a big decision and want to feel sure before making the final choice. You can be more self-assured about purchasing a home by getting it inspected for any hazardous risks or security issues that you’ll want to know about beforehand.

Find out why a Calgary home inspection is a must-have service for any potential home you are looking at.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a process of evaluating your potential house, including any structural and mechanical components, including the windows, roof, floors, and any important structural element. The main purpose is to uncover any major problems with the house that may be unknown to the seller and could either make or break the deal or allow negotiating a better price. Calgary home inspection is an investment because think the disaster it would become if you thought you found your dream property only to find out that it has major foundation problems that will cost you a lot of money. Home inspectors are independent workers, their job is to provide you with a detailed report on the house findings so that you can make the best choice regarding the purchase.

Hiring a reliable home inspector requires some research to ensure you find a professional with your best interest in mind, ask friends or family for recommendations and find out about their certifications and training before selecting one.

What Happens During an Inspection?

Home inspectors take several hours to perform a complete inspection, they will take pictures of everything, take some notes or even use modern equipment such as drones or mould machines to detect major issues. The main purpose of an inspector will be to identify any problems in the house, including the structural ones that may represent a large expense for the buyer, suggest ways to fix the problems and provide a detailed report.

The main elements they will look at are the structural systems such as the foundation and drainage and the attic to find out the insulation and any signs of water damage, check the roof for damaged or loose shingles and the gutters, and A Calgary home inspection also includes the HAVC system, windows, electrical systems, and exterior areas. Remember that there are some things your home inspection does not cover, such as swimming pools, conditions behind walls, and septic systems; you will need to get a specialized inspection for that.

The Detailed inspection report

This report contains a summary of all the findings, including pictures, notes, and the estimated cost to repair things. They will also indicate the lifespan of the equipment and structural elements, such as the roof and windows. It also includes recommendations on things you should replace. Depending on the report’s findings, you can negotiate a better price or ask the seller to perform the repairs before buying the property, or maybe it will give you the extra confidence you need to make a choice and get the house of your dreams.

Signs you should walk away after a home inspection

Getting a home inspection is an essential and crucial part of buying a home. This part of the process can help protect you from purchasing a property that has expensive, hidden defects and issues. Although home inspections are not mandatory, many prospective home buyers chose to have their potential homes inspected.

Your home inspector will check interior and exterior elements like the HVAC system, the foundation, interior plumbing, electrical systems, and many other components of the home. But what happens if the potential home you’re looking at doesn’t quite live up to your expectations? Can you just walk away?

Can You Walk Away From a Home After an Inspection?

The answer is yes! There is no hard and fast rule for when you can walk away from home after an inspection. In fact, it’s actually one of the most common times to walk away when a home is under contract. Since buyers don’t always know what’s inside of a home or the parts that make up the home until after the inspection is complete. This is why home inspections are very strongly recommended, it helps identify possible problems and gives the buyer’s peace of mind when making one of life’s biggest purchases.

Now whether you walk away or continue on with your purchase will depend on how much you truly want the home and how willing you are to make the repairs yourself if the seller isn’t willing to negotiate or agree to repairs.

What are some signs you should walk away from a home after an inspection?

There are many reasons a home can fail a home inspection, but below are some of the biggest reasons to consider walking away.

Foundation

The foundation of a house holds up the home and is in integral part of its’ structure. Making sure there are no structural issues and that the foundation is intact is a critical component. If there are issues with the foundation, this can be a costly repair depending on the severity of the issue. If this is something that you don’t have the budget for or don’t want the stress, it may be a good idea to walk away.

Electrical Issues/ Damage

If your home inspector finds faulty electrical wiring, electrical system or damage to it, this can pose a problem. From 2015-2019 about 47,000 home fires involving electrical failure or malfunction were reported. The electrical system in a house can cause fires and if you need to replace certain panels this can be costly.

Water Damage

One of the most common issues uncovered during home inspections is water damage. While this isn’t always a major issue (like signs of flooding), it can be a sign there are other additional factors and problems at play.

Sewer Problems

Similar to electrical issues, sewer problems can be expensive to repair. They are more common in older homes, where the sewer line can become compromised or corroded with time. While the majority of sewer problems are usually repairable, they are very large, laborious undertakings that can take time.

Why Home Inspections Matter: Where does radon come from?

Radon can enter a home in any place it can find an opening where the house is in contact with the ground, which is concerning to many homeowners in Calgary. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas that is found in the soil. In our previous blogs, we’ve discussed what can cause radon in a house and what a safe radon level is. Home inspections are a great way to find out your radon levels, but some may still be wondering where radon actually comes from.

In this article, we’ll be exploring where radon comes from and the best way to mediate this harmful gas.

What is radon?

To recap quickly, radon is an invisible gas that forms in the crust of the earth. It rises from the ground and can get trapped in structures like your home or commercial buildings. Exposure to high levels of radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon can get trapped in your home through cracks in the foundation walls or floor slabs, construction joints, gaps around service pipes, support posts, window easements, floor drains, sumps or cavities inside the wall.

Where does radon gas come from?

Radon is constantly being generated by the radium in rocks, soil and water. Materials that are made from these rocks and soil, which can include some building materials, can contain radon too. Now the important part to keep in mind when it comes to radon in your home is that the concentration of radon is dependent on the type of soil your home is built on. Things such as cracks, opening and other penetrations in your home’s foundation will allow a pathway for radon to enter your home. The ventilation and air flow patterns in your home will be an important factor that affects how much radon can be pulled into different areas within your home.

Radon can also be dissolved into ground water and can be introduced into the air through aeration of well water during its use in things such as washing machines, showers, and other appliances like this. But generally, this aeration component is relatively small when compared to the amount of radon that can enter the home from the soil.

In Conclusion

No matter the age, type of construction or where your home is located, all homes in Canada do have radon in them. The only way to be sure of radon level in your home is to have it tested. The best way to prevent and help mediate the hazardous effects of radon is to get your home inspected.

Your Ultimate Final Walk Through Checkout Checklist

What is a final walk through?

Although a final walk through isn’t a home inspection, they’re just as important. A final walk through gives home buyers a final chance to inspect the house before the official closing. The purpose of a walk through is to ensure that the property is in the exact same condition in which you agreed to purchase it. This includes all agreed on repairs and any other conditions you had agreed to.

Most often final walk throughs are completed by the home buyers and their real estate agent, together they will walk through the house room by room. But you can also bring along another person in the form of a home inspector to ensure the home you’re closing on is in a good condition and if any extra repair may be necessary. Home inspectors can help you identify other potential issues you may not be aware of since they have a checklist made for home inspections. The last walk through is extremely important and is the last chance to ensure the property is in a good condition and that the seller has complied with all agreements for the sale.

Final Walkthrough: A Checklist Of What To Look For

Look to ensure all agreed repairs have been completed
Make sure the seller’s belongings are no longer present and they completely moved out
Double check all lock, windows and doors
Look over all appliances

These are the basic 4 steps you need to take when doing your final walk through, this will ensure that the seller has met all the conditions and expectations you initially set. If something isn’t completed or to your satisfaction, you have every right to voice your concerns to the seller before closing on the home.

It’s important to voice any concerns you have before you move into the home, once the sale has been closed and you move in it will most likely be too late to bring up any issues you may have found. It can seem overwhelming so it’s important to prepare a through checklist of things to look for beforehand

During your final walk through, take time and bring a list of what repairs you agreed on and check them off as you walk through the house room by room. While in each room make sure to check the sealing on the windows to ensure they close and unlock/lock easily, and that there are no holes or issues If you notice something seems a little “wonky” jot it down on your list so you remember to bring it up later on. Ensure that all the doors close tightly and that they lock securely as well.

Final walk throughs deserve a thorough inspection

Finally, it’s important to remember that this is a major purchase and your final walk through deserves plenty of diligence on your part. Walking through the home with both your real estate agent and a home inspector can help guarantee that your new home won’t come with any extra unwelcome surprises.

Calgary home inspection: Safe radon levels

Radon is a radioactive gas that begins to formate when radium, uranium, or thorium–all radioactive metals–breaks down within groundwater, rocks, or soil. Anyone can be exposed to radon as it can be breathed in when it permeates through gaps in the home. Because we can be exposed to low levels of radon in the air, its typical concentration is minimal enough that there is no need for concern. When radon enters a more enclosed area, like any home, levels of concern should rise as your radon intake also begins to rise. This should churn out a fundamental and persistent question: what is a safe radon level?

Let’s examine what is deemed a safe level of radon in the home and when you should contact Calgary home inspection to secure and protect your household.

The threat of radon

Results of a Health Canada survey determined that as many as 7% of Canadian households are exposed to radon levels that are above the current guidelines, with the additional conclusion that no Canadian areas are rendered completely radon free. The frequency of Canadian homes that are exposed to high levels of radon is concerning as radon is known for its ability to erode health without households even knowing. Radon has no distinct smell and is invisible to the naked eye, so Canadian families can be exposed to it without even knowing. Long-term exposure can result in a greater risk of lung cancer, which can only be further accelerated if you are a smoker or burn wood and coal within your home.

Safe and dangerous levels of radon

The Canadian guideline states that no indoor area should exceed 200 becquerels per cubic square (or 200 Bq/m3). If an indoor area is above this recommended level, you should take action as soon as possible and schedule a home inspection. Upon taking action to combat the exposure in your home, radon levels should be minimized as low as possible. Health Canada further recommends getting your radon levels tested annually in your resident dwelling to ensure it is at a safe level to avoid the risk of developing an illness.

A crawl space that could potentially have levels of radon within

Why you could have elevated levels

High radon levels can crop up due to some problems with a home’s structure. A lot of radon gas is found within the soil, so if your home has a crawl space that consists of mounds of dirt, you could potentially be exposed to maximum levels of radon. Further, radon can permeate the home through the cracks in the home foundation and walls. If holes are created in the foundation for pipes and utility lines, this can lead to high levels of radon seeping into the home. These structural issues that can cause radon to get into the house should be repaired to reduce your risk of exposure.

Conclusion

Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer, right below cigarette smoking, showcasing that exposure to this radioactive gas can be incredibly hazardous to anyone’s health. To reduce your risk of high-level exposure in your own home, get your home tested by Calgary home inspection professionals, where devices can be used to test the current levels in your home.

Home Inspection Calgary: Pre-listing inspection cost

If you are thinking about putting your home on the market, you should begin to inquire about pre-listing inspections and how they can ultimately aid you in selling your house. By getting a pre-listing inspection conducted, you and your realtor can begin to gauge the condition of your property and if any underlying concerns should be tended to. This inspection can lead to invaluable improvements you can make to your home to increase its market value and appeal to potential buyers. Though a pre-listing inspection is not required to sell your home, it will prove incredibly helpful in identifying any elements that could derail the selling of your home.

Find out the benefits of a pre-listing inspection, what this venture entails, and the total cost of this pre-listing home inspection Calgary.

Why get an inspection

Before you list your home, hire a professional home inspector to examine your property to seek out any explicit and underlying issues where repairs are needed that can help you in the long run. Any repairs and problems in your home will eventually crop up, and obtaining a pre-listing inspection is a worthy investment to avoid any unwanted surprises in the future.

Of course, this inspection is sometimes not needed. If your home is relatively new, or if you were a crucial part of its building process, problems within the structure and property are unlikely to be found. But if you have moved into an older home, getting a pre-listing home inspection is highly recommended by relator professionals.

A professional performing a pre-listing inspection on a home

What a pre-listing inspection covers

Ultimately, the homeowner is the one that decides how extensive a pre-listing inspection needs to be. If you only want a professional appraisal to focus on the cracks in your roof, that is the only area they will look at. But a pre-listing inspection can cover the estimated lifespan of a roof, the water quality on the property, identify hazardous materials such as asbestos and mould, look at the state of the windows and doors, and the quality of the foundation.

Benefits

The benefits of getting a pre-listing inspection completed are vast when you’re trying to sell your home. When getting a pre-listing inspection, you can expect to attract more buyers, mainly if your inspection report is fair and the home’s condition is proven to be excellent. Because professionals have inspected the condition of your home, this will also speed up the selling process of your home. Once you have finished doing the necessary repairs to the home to be in prime condition, the rate at which your home will sell will accelerate. This inspection will ultimately save you time from doing future repairs and will make your home much more valuable.

Cost

While the price of the pre-listing inspection will depend on the location and size of your home, the average cost will amount to about $340. Of course, there are other elements to factor in that will affect the price of your pre-listing inspection. For instance, if you are only getting your roof or foundation looked at, expect a much lower cost than if you were to get the entire home and property inspected.

To gather more crucial information on pre-listing inspection matters, contact a home inspection Calgary professional to schedule an inspection at the home you wish to place on the market.

Integra Inspection Services is the leading provider of home inspection services throughout Calgary. Our commitment to our clients is evident by our honest and thorough Calgary home inspections. Our service is available for residential buildings, including homes, townhouses, and condos. Whether you are a buyer, seller, or a realtor, we conduct complete home inspections to determine if your property has any structural flaws and to prevent future costly repairs. Our Calgary home inspections include infrared thermal images on every inspection for an accurate, detailed inspection. For all of your home inspection or commercial property assessment needs, we can help. Schedule your inspection with Integra Inspection Services.

Asbestos exposure can cause serious and lingering health issues that vary in severity. Although it was once commonly used in constructing buildings as insulation and is still present in older homes today, this substance is no longer used due to its hazardous nature. Consulting both a doctor and scheduling a home inspection in Calgary if you think asbestos exposure is present in your place of residence can help reduce your chances of developing chronic health issues.

Because of the threat of lung scarring conditions caused by asbestos, knowing what steps you should take in case of asbestos exposure is important.

Consult healthcare professionals

If you think you have been exposed to asbestos, you should consult your healthcare provider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-time or brief exposure to asbestos is usually nothing to worry about. If you feel any effects from short-term exposure, they should subside after a short period of time. Consult a doctor to get examined where medical experts can determine your risks of developing asbestos-related health issues to relieve any worry. Having been exposed to asbestos, even only briefly, you should wash your body and your clothes to further eliminate any threat.

Unknowingly being exposed to asbestos for long periods of time can be more cause for concern. While lung issues typically won’t materialize for 5-10 years after long-term exposure, you should still seek a doctor to monitor your symptoms.

Home Inspection

Since asbestos exposure can often occur in your own home, you should get your home inspected by professionals. Home inspection professionals will assess the asbestos condition in your home, advise you on what action you need to undertake, and will contain the exposure for you. It is highly advisable to let professionals handle this substance to minimize your exposure.

Symptoms

Asbestos exposure can eventually manifest into lung conditions where symptoms are often shortness of breath, chest pain, and a perpetual cough. Coughing up blood and weight loss can be linked to asbestos-related diseases that can become quite severe, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. If you have any lung-related symptoms, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Treatment

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to reverse any damage done by asbestos exposure. While there are no known cures to eradicate lung scarring caused by asbestos, treatments are available to reduce symptoms and minimize any potential disease from progressing. Treatments like oxygen therapy can help you breathe more easily, and hazardous habits that can worsen your lung health, like cigarette smoking or vaping, should be stopped immediately.

Radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy will be recommended for severe lung conditions.

Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, it’s good to have a pre-listing home inspection done. A pre-listing home inspection will allow you to make any necessary repairs, updates, and minor renovations prior to putting your house on the market. Hiring a qualified Calgary home inspector can save you a lot of time, money, and stress.

What are the Benefits of Pre-Listing Home Inspections?

Enhance Your Curb Appeal

Even if you’re not putting your house on the market for several months, there is no reason to let it go to waste. You won’t get more money for your house by neglecting to make necessary repairs and improvements. A good home inspector will point out areas in your home that can be improved and updated to make it more attractive to potential buyers. The inspector may also recommend fixes you hadn’t considered as important to its marketability.

Gain an Advantage Over Other Sellers

By having a pre-listing home inspection done, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes time for selling your home. Your inspector will point out any needed repairs and renovations and provide suggestions for potential buyers. The result is a house that’s more attractive to those looking to buy real estate in Calgary. Having a professional inspection report puts sellers on the level of motivated sellers.

Save Money

An inspection prior to putting your house on the market will help avoid costly repairs required as a part of closing a deal. By identifying any potential problems before presenting your home to potential buyers, you can save money by addressing these problems way in advance. The inspector may also have suggestions on making repairs more cost-effectively, which can result in a lower sale price for your home.

Trouble Spots Prelisting Home Inspections Help to Avoid

Unnecessary Repairs and Renovations

When you get ready to put your house on the market, it’s easy to get carried away with unnecessary renovations. Instead of spending extra money on upgrades that won’t attract buyers, address any major problems that may need to be repaired or renovated. On the other hand, you don’t want to get carried away by making unnecessary fixes.

Some buyers prefer houses without renovations so they can do them themselves or choose their own contractors if needed. An inspection well ahead of time allows you to prioritize renovations.

Potential Problems with Closing Deals

If your realtor is proactive, they might insist on getting the results of a prelisting home inspection before agreeing to sell the place. It really is win-win. It can help you avoid costly issues at closing by providing you with the opportunity to address any problems before they cause significant concerns about the listing price. Fixing these problems on your own won’t cost nearly as much as emergency repairs required at closing the deal.

Potential Legal Problems

If you neglect to address needed repairs and renovations upon selling your house, it can lead to legal problems. For instance, if the home inspector finds an issue with the roof and you didn’t disclose this information to potential buyers or their inspectors, there is a chance that the buyers will cancel the conditional sale. Further, malfeasance or negligence are remote possibilities, but having a pre listing home inspection report could safeguard you from significant legal exposure in those cases.

Pre-listing home inspections offer a number of benefits for those looking to sell their homes. You can improve your home’s curb appeal, gain an advantage over other sellers, and avoid potential legal problems by having an inspection done. You can also save money on repairs and renovations by addressing any major issues identified by the inspector. Additionally, pre-listing home inspections help avoid unnecessary repairs and renovations that potential buyers may not need. Call us your Calgary home inspector well before you list your home and make use of the one thing you can’t get when you’re selling your home: time.

Integra Inspections is a Home Inspection Company in Calgary that provides unbeatable service for home inspections. With over 15 years of experience and the latest technologies such as thermal imaging, you can count on Integra Home Inspections to get you the facts and have you ready for your next home!

When it comes to buying a house, there’s a lot more to your home than just four walls and a roof. Your major appliances are like organs, keeping your home habitable. And your furnace is much like the heart of your home, keeping warm air flowing through the winter months. But that’s not all there is to HVAC. Air conditioning keeps your household cool in the blistering heat, provided it’s part of the integrated HVAC system; many homeowners are making AC a new priority.

A home inspection is not HVAC maintenance, but it might be even more important. A critical part of your home inspector’s professional process ensures that your HVAC system is worth its part of the home’s purchase price that you’re bidding—before you sign on the dotted line.

What Is HVAC?

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Many homes have all three systems, but homes with just a furnace and ventilation are a bit more common depending on where you live. If your home-to-be is in Calgary, the term is interchangeable with furnace. If the furnace has problems, a given home’s HVAC system might not be worth much.

What Problems Can Home Inspectors Identify Due to Poor HVAC Systems?

If you’re lucky enough to be looking at your dream home, but the HVAC system is in disrepair, the experience of living there might not be pleasant. The furnace might make a lot of noise, and it might not move air, whether cooled or heated, in an efficient manner. In extreme cases, it could pose a natural gas hazard. Repair or replacement must be done by HVAC professionals.

How Can Home Inspectors Help You Understand a Listed Home’s HVAC System?

Naturally, if an HVAC system has been poorly maintained or it’s entered the final stages of its life-cycle, the overall value of the home is less than advertised. Replacing a furnace isn’t cheap. If replacing such a critical component of an HVAC system is totally necessary, you might want to bring that point into price negotiation for the home. Calgary home inspectors can give you an unbiased opinion on its condition and the likelihood of failure in the near future.

Signs the Home Needs a New HVAC System

As mentioned above, noise and slow-moving air are signs that the motorized blower component has struggled for months, if not years. Motors need lubrication on moving parts and a clear pathway through ducting to ease the load. Dust blowing out of the vent openings on the home’s floor are signs the ducts are clogged, and the motor has been overworked. There’s more to it, but those are some of the first indicators home inspectors look for.

Calgary Home Inspectors Help You Appraise an HVAC System’s Worth

In some cases, home inspections, or even condo inspections, require a look at the HVAC system. Inspectors lend you a sharp, trained eye not just on the structure and life-supporting fixtures of the home but also on the plumbing and electrical systems.

Your HVAC system transforms natural gas and electricity into a habitable temperature, but not without sophisticated components in need of responsible care. If that’s lacking, you might need a home inspector’s professional advice to confidently negotiate on the offer you’ll be making.