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.

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.

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.

The world of a Calgary home inspector involves many different decisions and actions. Whether or not to include a minor fault is a key consideration, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout the average workday, a home inspector will find themselves making judgement calls, tough choices and more.

Therefore, in establishing what Calgary home inspectors can do, it is equally important to determine what they cannot do. Below we look at some of the activities that home inspectors will not do and why.

Activities that Calgary Home Inspectors DON’T Do

Issue a Passing or Failing Mark

Perhaps the biggest misconception about home inspectors is that their job is to allow the sale or occupancy of a house. This is not the case. Instead, home inspectors are trained to identify potential problems in the construction of the house, record them and submit their findings for review.

Telling people that they should or shouldn’t buy a house is not part of a home inspector’s responsibility. This prevents potential conflicts of interest and protects home inspectors from opening themselves up to potential liability. Additionally, it prevents purchasers from making decisions based on incomplete information or opinions.

Perform Destructive Testing

During an inspection, there are several methods of determining the acceptability or rejectability of a particular area. Take corrosion, for example. A metallic support with visual rust typically indicates some amount of corrosion or degradation in the material. It does not determine the exact amount of corrosion, however. This would require physical inspection and testing.

Home inspectors do not participate in this level of destructive testing. They are there to perform visual assessments and referrals to specialized services when required. Performing destructive testing could lead to rework or repair that do not involve a home inspector’s services.

Determine a Home’s Value

Home inspectors in Calgary and other areas are not required to determine a home’s value. Nor should they, in many circumstances. The reason for not performing this activity is similar to the previous examples.

It is simply not the responsibility or duty of the home inspector to provide their opinion on this information. Realtors and real estate agents work in the housing industry to offer this information, along with municipal governments and other relevant professionals.

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!

You’ve chosen a home, made the offer to purchase, and now comes the home inspection; a vital cog in the process of you owning a home.

Without undertaking a home inspection in Calgary, you run the risk of problems arising, leading to expensive repairs or replacements, that can significantly devalue your home, or cost you more than expected.

But having a qualified Calgary home inspector can ensure that you all defects are caught and dealt with sooner rather than later.

What a Calgary Home Inspector Must Have

Make sure you look for a Calgary home inspector that has the following attributes:

Has experience in the industry and knowledge when inspecting homes
Highly qualified with certifications from major associations
Knowledge of building codes
Referrals (from people you know), ratings (from online) and references (from the inspector themselves)

Once you have hired a professional, schedule a time that works for all parties. At the inspection, your professional will look at the following in the home:

Attic (to check proper ventilation)
Basement (to inspect if there is a solid foundation and no water damage)
Bathrooms & Kitchens (ensure that there are issues with plumbing, and for the kitchen, if the appliances are functioning)
Ceilings (look for uneven levels, stains or cracks)
Electrical systems (ensuring that you have up-to-code circuit breakers, functional outlets and smoke detectors)
Exterior surfaces (to check for damage to siding or stucco)
HVAC (inspecting the condition of the air conditioner and furnace)
Plumbing (to look for damaged or leaking pipes and proper hot water temperature)
Roof (to check for damaged or loose shingles and functional gutters)
Windows & Doors (to check for damage, proper alignment and ventilation)

Overall, the entire process will take between two to three hours to complete.

What Happens if the Inspection Fails?

After the review, the inspector will provide you with a report on all the defects within your property. If there is significant damage and the home inspection is classified as a failure, it’s best if you reconsider purchasing the home unless some concessions are made, saving you on expensive costs and labour.

You can make an agreement where if the seller completes the repairs, you purchase the home. Or, you can also consider renegotiating the purchase price to cover repair costs. Speak with your real estate agent about the process going forward.

There are many parts to a Calgary home inspection, but knowing which ones are the most essential will help you become better informed. Please inspect the list below to glean this knowledge:

Essential Components for Calgary Home Inspection

1. Foundation

The foundation of your home is one of the essential components of a home inspection. Ensuring cracks and crevices have not grown, or substantial portions of debris are not present, is a part of the inspection process.

2. Roof Drainage Systems

Another component of home inspections is the inspection of roof drainage systems. Here it is essential to look for kinks or pieces that have broken off. Improving these sections before the examination will yield better results.

3. Water Heating Equipment

Water heating equipment is another part of regular inspections. Ensuring the right system, tank or tankless, is installed, and there is sufficient power/ storage for the needs of the home are part of the inspection. Additionally, inspectors must check the adequacy of combustion air components.

4. Overcurrent Protection Devices

Overcurrent protection devices will have a part in your home inspection as well. These devices prevent power surges and are an essential safety component for all homes. Along with these devices, the power supply will also receive an inspection.

5. Vent Systems, Flues, Chimneys

Another essential component of your home inspection is the vent systems, flues, and any chimneys present. Ensuring there is no substantial build-up of burnt material or smoke is necessary, as is the verification of structural integrity.

6. Central Cooling Systems

Central cooling systems are also a necessary component of inspection during your home inspection. This would include air conditioners, for instance. However, electric air cleaning and sanitizing devices are not part of this type of review.

7. Walls, Ceilings, Floors

Walls, ceilings, and floors are part of the standard home inspection, especially for the interior. For these items, though, paints, wallpapers, and finishes are not included in the inspection.

Get the Most Value for Your Home Inspection

When it is time for your Calgary home inspection, there are many choices you have to make. However, the easiest option is the company you choose to work with, and that makes the rest of the options even easier!

Having an annual home inspection, performed by a Calgary home inspector, is a great way to keep your home in tiptop shape throughout the year. Similarly, spring cleaning is the best time of year to book your regular professional inspections, including furnace, air conditioning, and plumbing inspections. Therefore, spring is the best time for a home inspection.

Although this line of reasoning does hold up against the most stringent inspection, you may feel like it is a little too simple. A little too straightforward, perhaps. Of course, that feeling is totally understandable, and you shouldn’t be left hanging with so little information. As a result, please consider the following reasons that further expound upon the value of springtime home inspections.

3 Reasons For Springtime Home Inspections

1. After-Winter Effects

Aside from the rationale described above, the best reason for a visit from a Calgary home inspector is the effect winter can have on your home. Winter can cause all sorts of problems, such as home settling, leaks, lawn damage, and more. Take, for example, the likelihood of pipes bursting during the winter months. This problem is a result of freezing water combined with a rush of pressure that your pipes simply cannot withstand. Every part of your home faces similar adversity during the winter months and immediately after the winter thaw.

2. Outdoor Considerations

An area of our homes that we seldom pay enough attention to is the exterior. The areas we exclude can include the foundation, eavestroughs, roof, and more. Yes, it is understandable that you believe these areas are permanent, and that they seldom see a lot of change. However, a home inspection can find issues that you had not considered before.

Issues that may include foundation cracks, dry or torn roof shingles, broken eavestroughs, or compromised window seals are all possible. Performing your home inspection after the harshness of winter and before the harshness of summer will give you sufficient time to get these repairs noted and addressed, as necessary.

3. Clear Visibility

The final reason on our list can appear obvious, initially. The visibility of your home and yard is reduced in the winter months as snow covers everything in a cool and refreshing blanket. However, this blanket is a disguise for the forces of erosion and corrosion, which are still very much active underneath the top layer.

Therefore, having a home inspection when you can inspect every area freely and without obstruction is a good plan.

Where to Find Quality Calgary Home Inspectors

There are many places for you to find quality home inspectors, and you should consider each of them with great scrutiny. However, if you were looking for a personalized opinion on the matter, the suggestion would be to read on just a bit further. Happy inspecting!

Are you planning on getting an inspection done for the home you own or home you’re planning to buy? The inspection can cover a lot of things. However, there are a few parts of the home that you want to stress more than the rest.

5 Things Your Home Inspector Will Check

1. HVAC System

Your HVAC system is one of the most important parts of your home. It controls your heating, air conditioning, and ventilation. Problems with your HVAC system can cost you a lot of money in your energy bills. They can also reduce ventilation, which can affect people with allergies or asthma. The HVAC system is something that most Calgary home inspectors will look at.

2. Roof

Roofing problems are one of the most common things that homeowners deal with. It’s essential to get the roof inspected so that you know where you stand in terms of repair work, stability, and longevity of the roof. Roof repairs and replacements can be costly, so you want to make sure you get a clear idea of where the conditions of your roof stand. Get the Calgary home inspectors to give your roof a comprehensive look.

3. Foundation

The foundation of a property can get damaged over a long time. This is usually caused by things like erosion, moisture, and poor structural work. You want to get this looked at if you’re buying or selling a home. The repair work will be essential no matter what side of the coin you’re on. Neglecting the structural integrity of the property is not only costly; it is dangerous.

4. Plumbing

Plumbing issues are also a big threat to a property due to potential water damage. You want to take a look a look at both the regular plumbing and septic system to see if you need to fix leaks, replace pipes or repair any systems. Water damage and remediation are one of the most costly repairs you’ll have to undergo. That’s why it’s a smart idea to get your contractor to look over the plumbing diligently.

5. Potential Dangers

This isn’t something specific to your home, but you want your contractor to be on the lookout for potential dangers. This includes ventilation systems that are building up mold, lead paint, gas leaks, asbestos, noxious gases, and basement mold. All of these issues can be hazardous to your health.

These are the five things to make sure your home inspectors check. Of course, there will be many other important parts of your home that need to be checked out. But these should be on the top of the list.

Finding the right house is a process. You look at a number of options and choose the one that’s best for you, but it doesn’t stop there. Due to the potential for unseen problems, it’s important to schedule a home inspection to make sure the home really is the best option for you, which means hiring a home inspector.

But you shouldn’t hire anyone. You have to hire the best one for the job. Here is how you can do it:

Prepare for the inspection by asking your Calgary home inspector these questions.

How Long Have You Been a Home Inspector in Calgary?

Experience is key when it comes to inspecting homes. Not only should inspectors have experience examining homes, but they should also be familiar with local conditions which can affect the life expectancy of building components. Get the most out of your inspection by working with a Calgary home inspector who has operating in the area for a number of years and is fully licensed and certified.

What Will You Inspect?

A home inspection should include a full view of the property, from foundation to roof. Specific requirements vary by area, but at a minimum your home inspector should check the following:

Structural elements
The electrical and plumbing systems
Exterior elements
The heating and cooling system

What Won’t You Inspect?

Follow up the above question by finding out what is not covered during home inspections. Understanding what won’t be checked gives you the opportunity to learn about common issues that you can check out yourself. Sometimes you may want to schedule a specialized inspection to cover certain areas that aren’t included under a regular home inspection.

What Problems are Red Flags?

Many of the issues marked by a Calgary home inspector aren’t deal breakers, but find out what sort of things you should be concerned about. If any of these problem areas show up during your inspection, ask the home inspector for more information.

Condos are a great option for buyers looking for more amenities with less maintenance. As a condo buyer, however, you must be just as careful as detached home buyer. This includes completing a professional inspection before finalizing the sale.

Here Are Five Reasons To Get A Condo Inspection In Calgary

1. A Condo Inspection Looks Beyond the Facade
Buyers may feel like a condo inspection is a waste of money if the unit appears to be in good condition. However, even new construction can harbour costly problems that aren’t visible. You might find problems within the condo, such as asbestos or other dangers. A Calgary home inspector is trained to spot these issues.

2. Save Money With An Inspection
Of course, you’ll have to pay for a condo inspection, but it can actually help you save money. With an inspection, you’ll avoid the unpleasant situation of buying a condo only to discover it needs to be completely rewired or needs other major repairs after you move in.

3. A Home Inspector Helps You Negotiate
The information you obtain from a Calgary home inspector can help you negotiate a lower price for a condo. You get valuable bargaining power from a condo inspection.

4. Stipulate Seller’s Repairs
You may also be able to include seller’s repairs clauses in the contract. The seller should make the necessary repairs or take the price for the repairs off the total. A Calgary home inspector helps you determine exactly what repairs need to be done and what they’ll cost.

5. Know What You’re Buying
Buying a condo is a big purchase, one that you should research thoroughly. Information for buying homes and getting an inspection is vital. A Calgary condo inspection is part of the research process and provides valuable information about exactly what you are buying.

If you’re thinking about buying a condo, get a condo inspection before completing the sale.

Contact us: (403) 703-4474 | [email protected] | www.integra-inspections.com