Halifax, Nova Scotia Home Inspection Services
Halifax Home Inspection Pros
A home purchase is one of the largest investments a person will make, and it’s crucial that you know what you’re getting into before you commit! At Halifax Home Inspection Pros, we take pride in bringing our years of experience to the table and to ensure that your home purchase is a made with the best information available. Whether you’re looking to purchase a detached or semi-detached house, a condo or a multi-family dwelling, we can provide you with peace of mind knowing that every detail has been uncovered! Services Offered: Pre-Purchase Inspections When making an offer to purchase property, frequently a buyer will choose to have it professionally inspected. This inspection should inform and guide you in your purchasing decision. A Pre-Purchase Inspection will equip you as the buyer with the best information to make the best offer possible. (More info on Inspections) Pre-Sale Inspections When considering placing your property on the market, performing a Pre-Sale Inspection will enable you as the seller to know the exact condition of your property as seen by a potential buyer. It will remove the stress of the element of surprise, and will reveal any issues that potential buyers will be likely made aware of, and prepare you for any remedial steps to be taken to deliver the maximum value possible. (More info on Inspections) Radon Testing Radon is a radioactive gas that can be found in homes across Canada. It can occur in amounts that can be hazardous, and it occurs both naturally due to surrounding geology as well as being suspended in some building materials. Being without colour, odour or taste, the only way to detect the presence of this gas is with specialized measurement equipment. (More info on Radon Testing) Thermal Imaging Thermal imagery displays the levels or infrared energy, or heat, in an easy to interpret visualization. Its application when inspecting a home serves to show areas where heat energy is either escaping or penetrating into your home. Identifying and resolving these areas is a major contributor to achieving better energy efficiency. (More info on Thermal Imaging) Areas Serviced: Halifax (HRM), Dartmouth, Bedford, Hammonds Plains, Lower Sackville, Beaverbank and surrounding areas! If you’re not sure, give us a call and we’ll let you know! |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a basic home inspection?
A basic home inspection consists first of a physical examination of the exterior of the property. A thorough review is done of the siding, any brick or stone, foundation, windows and doors, decking, chimneys, and assuming it is safe to do so, the roof. In the home’s interior, first the mechanical systems are examined (heating, ventilation, electrical, plumbing) followed by a systematic review of each room in the house, from the footings in the basement up to the rafters in the attic.
Is it worth getting a home inspection?
Absolutely! (What else would you expect us to say?) Joking aside, a good home inspection pays for itself in the form of peace of mind, or in more extreme cases, avoidance of unexpected and costly repairs.
What are the most common home inspection problems?
Each home, neighbourhood and region has its own set of particular circumstances, however most commonly these are the top 5 issues usually uncovered by a home inspection:
1. Roofing issues: shingles lifting, water damage, etc.
2. Electrical wiring: old/damaged wiring, overloaded circuits
3. Poor insulation and ventilation in the attic causing heat loss or leading to mold problems
4. Lot grading issues causing poor drainage and potential flooding
5. Plumbing problems with symptoms like slow moving or “gasping” drains or poor water pressure
Do you have to fix everything a home inspector finds?
Not necessarily. However, depending on the severity of any uncovered issues, it certainly might be prudent to fix some or all of the issues. For example, improper or old wiring could lead to an electrical fire, which could cause extensive damage or complete loss of a home; it would therefore be prudent to perform this type of repair work.
What fixes are mandatory after a home inspection?
While no prescribed fixes resulting from a home inspection can be considered mandatory from a “legal standpoint”*, it is generally recommended to request repair or remediation for any issues pertaining to health hazards or major structural or mechanical defects. It should be noted that some insurers or lenders may not be satisfied with the current property condition as reported by the home inspection and may require repair or remediation prior to extending insurance coverage or approving a mortgage.
Can a home inspection kill a deal?
It is very common for a Home Inspection Clause to be included in any agreement to purchase residential property in Canada. Depending on the exact structure of the agreement, it may include wording that would allow a buyer to withdraw from the transaction based on the report resulting from the home inspection process.**
What are red flags in a home inspection?
While not every deficiency in the report is a major undertaking to repair (and some items can likely even be ignored or deferred indefinitely), there are definitely some items that need to be noted, and could result in rethinking an offer or renegotiating with a seller.
The first area to watch for is health and safety issues. Typically signs of mold will be found here. In addition, electrical issues (possible fire risk) and roofing issues (possible flooding risk) can pose major risk to your investment.
The second area to examine are issues that will cost you large sums of money to address down the road. This includes building mechanical systems such as heat pumps, furnace, plumbing or electrical. Other structural (roof, foundation, etc.) issues can also lead to costly, unexpected repairs if not properly identified.
How much does it cost to have a house inspected?
Home inspections in the area can range from a minimum of $400 upwards of $1,000, depending on the size and complexity of the property to be inspected. Please contact us today to obtain an instant, no obligation quote! Oftentimes we can arrive onsite to perform the inspection on the same day as requested!
*Not a lawyer, not legal advice
**Again, not a lawyer, not legal advice