By Louise Dodd & Jason Dodd
The purchase of a home is usually the single biggest financial investment most Canadians make. Does it not make sense to have your future purchase checked over by an inspector who is competent and qualified to do so? Some buyers choose a home inspector solely on the amount of the inspector’s fee.
When choosing a home inspector, ask questions, and feel comfortable with the answers before hiring him or her. We advise our clients to ask what qualifications the inspector has, what will be the scope of the inspection, how much liability insurance does the inspector carry, if any? Ask how many years they have been in the business. Is this a full time business for them? What is their educational background or previous work experience?
The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors website has a wealth of useful information. www.oahi.com Quick searches can be conducted for home inspectors in your local area. The company they are with and their OAHI designation are also provided. The highest level designation is Registered Home Inspector, or RHI.
It is important that you understand what limitations are on the home inspection. The Standards of Practice of Home Inspectors (available at www.oahi.com) sets out what the inspector shall do and what the inspector is not required to do on an inspection. While environmental issues such as underground oil tanks are “not required”, section 2.3 of the Standards of Practice explains that “not required” does not stop a home inspector from pointing out potential issues. The inspector might recommend seeking further “expert” advice on these issues. If the inspector finds evidence of possible termite activity, get a termite expert. A possible underground oil tank? An environmental expert should investigate the site.
We think that an experienced home inspector is obviously a better choice than someone who is new to the business, but it is also important that they have experience inspecting the kind of property that you are hiring them to inspect. The issues a new home may have will be quite different from a 100 year old structure, and both will be quite different from a condominium apartment.
Exercising due diligence when choosing a home inspector is an integral part of exercising due diligence before you sign on the dotted line.
Louise and Jason Dodd are Sales Representatives with Royal LePage R.E.S. Ltd, Johnston & Daniel Division.
