What Does a Home Inspector Do?

While it is common knowledge that a quality home inspection is an important part of the process of purchasing a new home, not everyone knows exactly what a home inspector actually does. Generally speaking, a home inspector conducts a thorough evaluation of the condition of both the interior and exterior of the home. Home inspections are important because looks can be deceiving, and it is vital to have as much information as possible when it comes to making major life decisions such as whether or not to purchase a particular home. It is the job of the home inspector to find anything that may be wrong with the home, or anything that may go wrong in the future.  

What does a Home Inspector Look For? 

A detailed home inspection involves a thorough visual inspection, watching for areas that are damaged or potentially unsafe, as well as confirmation that certain systems and fixtures are functional and up to code.  

Some of the most significant things an inspector will look at are the plumbing and electrical systems and whether they need to be upgraded, the quality of the ventilation and insulation of the home, damage or cracks to the foundation or roof, and the overall structural integrity of the building.  

They will also check thoroughly for signs of water damage, mold, and pest infestations. The home inspector will evaluate the heating and cooling systems in the home, check that toilets flush properly, run the taps to gauge the water pressure, as well as check that all windows and doors open and close as they should.  

When Should a Home Inspection Take Place? How Long Does a Building Inspection Take? 

A home inspection typically occurs after an offer on the home has been made but before the buyer has become fully and financially committed to purchasing the home. In most cases, offers are conditional on the results of the home inspection, and usually, a home inspection is completed within 5 days of the submission of the offer.  

In some cases, sellers like to complete their own home inspection prior to listing the house on the market. This prevents the seller from being blindsided on inspection day and also can help to leverage the sale, as many buyers will forgo their own inspection and accept the one conducted by the seller.  

Inspections typically take 2 to 3 hours but can take as long as 4-6 hours depending on the size of the home and intricacies or obstacles that may prolong the process. An averaged sized home (1500-2000 square feet) can be inspected in 2-3 hours, and you can expect to add half-hour per 500 square feet beyond that. Some of the other things that may extend the duration of a home inspection are the age and condition of the house, the type of foundation of the house, the number of systems within the house, and the weather conditions at the time of the inspection.  

Once the inspection is complete, the inspector will deliver a detailed report of everything that they found during the evaluation of the home. This will include photos of any issues or areas of concern. A timeline of projects and when they should be completed will also be included as part of the report.  

Why Choose Building Insights? 

Since 2002, Building Insights has been conducting quality home inspections for over 5000 happy clients. A home inspection through Building Insights will give you the peace of mind to know your investment is sound and limit or eliminate unwanted surprises down the road. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality in service and professionalism, ensuring every inspection we conduct is thorough, accurate, and impartial. 

At Building Insights we consistently deliver the highest quality in professional insights and technical expertise. Our inspections offer in-depth looks at cost implications and maintenance requirements. As registered home inspectors with the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors and licensed electricians, we possess the knowledge, certification, and experience to provide the highest level of service to all our clients. Whether you are a purchaser or a seller, Building Insights is the name to trust. 

In most cases, our inspections can be booked within 24-48 hours. Contact us today to book your inspection and let us help you reduce stress and frustration during one of the most significant financial purchases of your life.