A home inspection is a visual examination of the home’s readily accessible installed systems at a particular point in time. Its focus is to identify components that are significantly deficient, unsafe, or near the end of life rather than cosmetic, code, or design issues. A home inspection is not a guarantee or warranty of any kind, not invasive or destructive, and is not intended to identify concealed defects, predict future performance, or life expectancy. Components inspected include the Exterior, Roofing, Structure, Electrical System, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, Plumbing System, Insulation and Air/Vapour Barriers, Ventilation systems, Interior, Appliances, and Fireplaces. The inspection typically does not include code, bylaw and building regulations, outbuildings, pools and spas, or other systems, including telephone, TV, and alarm systems.

Your home inspector should specify all areas of the home that were inspected, and outline any areas that were not included in the inspection. Home inspectors must be certified, licensed, and insured in the province of Alberta and follow an accepted Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics. Considered to be generalists in all aspects of residential building systems and their operation, home inspectors must be certified by, and a member in good standing of an accepted professional organization.

For most of us, buying a home is the most significant personal investment we will make during the course of our lifetime. Having the home inspected prior to purchasing provides the assurance and peace of mind you need when you need it most. A home inspection can identify minor issues that the buyer can take care of themselves, request the seller repair prior to sale, or request a reduction equivalent to the cost to repair or replace. Alternatively, a home inspection may discover significant damage or safety and health concerns that would discourage the buyer from moving forward with the sale. Additionally, most mortgage companies require a home inspection on the property before approving the loan.

Buying the right home is an important investment in your future and choosing the right home inspector is just as important. In Alberta, home inspectors are required to be licensed, bonded, and insured, but that doesn’t mean all home inspectors are created equal. When choosing a home inspector, it is important to base your decision on experience rather than price. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and going with the cheapest price usually means getting an inexperienced inspector looking to gain experience at your expense. Ask friends, colleagues, and your realtor for referrals and check online reviews and testimonials. Look for an independent full-time inspector whose career depends on referrals and word of mouth. The best and most qualified inspectors in your area can also be found on recognized professional home inspector association websites such as APHIS, ASHI, or CAHPI. Inspection Professionals’ Government of Alberta Home Inspector License is #334014. And you can view our certifications and association memberships on our About Us page.

The average cost of a home inspection for a typical 2,000 square foot home with a garage is around $500 and can vary across inspectors, housing markets, and regions. Be careful about selecting an inspector on price alone; make sure the inspector you select is licensed, has a great deal of experience, and utilizes infrared imaging during the inspection. When requesting a quote for the inspection, define a clear scope of work to find out what will be included in the inspection and what will not be included for comparison before making a final decision. An inspector’s ability to clearly communicate is also very important to fully understand the issues found during the inspection and recommendations to correct the issues identified.

The averaged sized, single-family home with a garage usually takes between 2 and 2.5 hours to complete the site inspection. The older, larger, and more complex the home is, the longer the inspection will take. The report will typically require about the same amount of time to prepare and is usually available that same day or within 24 hours.

You do not need to be present for the home inspection, but we always encourage our clients to attend, so the inspector can point out issues first hand and provide recommendations and corrective actions. The best home inspectors work on your behalf and will always take the time to answer all your questions and make sure you fully understand the issues identified. Inspection Professionals Ltd. is dedicated to the complete satisfaction of our clients and will address all questions and concerns, point out the location of the issues identified, and recommend corrective actions during our inspections. We will also take the time to show you how to properly operate and maintain the home and locations of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, water and gas shutoff valves, and more. If you cannot attend the inspection, we will call you after the inspection and discuss our findings with you. We are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have for as long as you own the home.

Identifying significant issues is what a home inspection is all about. Before making a sound purchase decision, you need to know the present condition of the property, what immediate repairs and maintenance it might need, as well as what should be budgeted for in the near future. Upon completion of our extensive and detailed site inspection, we will discuss all significant issues identified and provide recommendations so you can make an informed and confident purchase decision. Our full-color electronic reports compiled with pictures and illustrations will break it down for you into major repairs and safety concerns that require immediate attention as well as any components and systems near the end of life that should be budgeted for in the near future. We also include helpful regular home maintenance recommendations and cosmetic improvement advice.

If you’re not completely satisfied after our comprehensive on-site visual inspection, we will fully refund the inspection fee. The contract will be cancelled, and no report will be provided. You must be present during the entire on-site inspection to claim a satisfaction-guarantee refund.