Hinsperger Inspection Services Ltd

Home Inspections

PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTIONS

You're a wise homebuyer. You know the value of checking out a home before you buy it. We've built our business around helping people just like you.

The process of purchasing a new home and dealing with all the circumstances involved can certainly be considered as one of the most significant events of your lifetime, if you take into account the magnitude of the acquisition and the importance of every decision that will be made along the way. Knowing everything you possibly can about the house and the condition of the property before you make any unalterable commitments has become a necessity in today’s market place. Knowledge is said to open doors. This is especially true when it involves protecting your financial investment, the well being and over-all safety of your new home with the protection of a professional home inspection.

Purchasing a home is as much an emotional investment as a financial one, and missed problems can turn a dream home into a nightmare. With the help of an objective expert, make an informed decision regarding the biggest investment you will likely ever make. Is the charming slope in the floor a sign of structural failure? Know before you buy and are faced with unexpected expenses.

Although a home inspection should give you peace of mind, it often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?

Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:

Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for example.
Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy or insure the home.
Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electric panel.

Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).

Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure or nit-picky items.

Our Full Inspections include:

Roof, vents, flashings and trim.
Gutters and downspouts.
Skylight, chimney and other roof penetrations.
Decks, stoops, porches, walkways, and railings.
Eaves, soffit and fascia.
Grading and drainage.
Basement, foundation and crawlspace.
Water penetration and foundation movement.
Heating systems.
Cooling systems.
Main water shut off valves.
Water heating system.
Interior plumbing fixtures and faucets.
Drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
Electrical service line and meter box.
Main disconnect and service amperage.
Electrical panels, breakers and fuses.
Grounding and bonding.
GFCI’s and AFCI’s.
Fireplace damper door and hearth.
Insulation and ventilation.
Garage doors, safety sensors and openers.
And much more.

If you are already working with a realtor or contractor, he or she may have suggested the names of inspection companies from which you might choose. Remember, you are under no obligation to accept the suggestion. Selecting a qualified, professional inspector is up to you. A realtor or contractor with professional ethics will not attempt to persuade you into using a specific inspection firm.

3 Deadly Mistakes Every HomeBuyer Should Avoid

Some Frequently Asked Questions regarding home inspections.

Review our Standards of Practice for complete details.

Sellers can speed their home inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing.

Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning.
Ensure pets won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home.
Replace burned-out bulbs to avoid a "Light is inoperable" report that may suggest an electrical problem.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.
Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.
Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited as "conducive conditions" for termites.
Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces.
Unlock areas the inspector must access - attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces.
Trim tree limbs to 10' from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access.
Attend to broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches; windowpanes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.

Checking these areas before your home inspection is an investment in selling your property. Your real estate agent will thank you!

PRE-LISTING INSPECTIONS

Full disclosure: Demonstrate you did all you can to reveal any concerns within the home. Also, discover these areas before the buyer, and you can have your own cost estimates rather than dealing with a buyer's inflated estimates.

Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed by us ahead of time helps in many ways:

It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party.
It helps you to price your home realistically.
It permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that ...

Defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.
There is no delay in obtaining the Use and Occupancy permit.
You have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs yourself, if qualified.

It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
It may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
It may relieve prospect's concerns and suspicions.
It reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement.
Alerting you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home.

EQUITY PRESERVATION INSPECTIONS

You've paid a lot of money for your home. Don't let neglect of the forces of nature devalue your home. Often homeowners are unaware that there are forces at work destroying the home they live in. Most people do not see any detrimental effects until it's too late and it costs them money - a lot of money! Hinsperger Inspection Services will inspect and report on issues when they are small so that you take corrective action that costs you less in the long run.

In addition to our thorough inspection report, on-site commentary and post-inspection telephone support, you will also receive a 134 page book or CD (your choice) which details how your house works, materials, air-leakage control, roofs and attics, basement insulation, insulating walls, windows and doors, operating your house, and how to put this all together to help you save money.

How much will the inspection cost?

Home Inspections

Fireplace and Woodstove Inspections

Air Leakage and Heating Efficiency Evaluations

Radon Testing

Appointments available 7 days a week - Call (519) 938-8349




	FULL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONSULTING FOR THE COUNTIES OF DUFFERIN, PEEL, GREY, SIMCOE, WELLINGTON, WATERLOO AND SURROUNDING AREAS