Questions to Ask a Vancouver Home Inspector – From your Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Questions to Ask a Vancouver Home Inspector – From your Vancouver Mortgage Broker

No matter what kind of home you plan on buying, either a newly built home or an older home, it’s a good idea to hire a home inspector to make sure you’re not buying a lemon.

Take it from aVancouvermortgage broker who doesn’t want to see you get stuck with a huge repair or renovation bill. These folks know what to look for and can spot problems that aren’t easily seen. And remember, even newly built homes can have flaws.

Sure, I know it’s another expense, but it’s well worth the money. It’s a small investment that can really save you thousands of out of pocket dollars, especially if you’re thinking of buying an older home.

What sort of problems might they pick up on? Well, they can pick up on seepage and leak problems for one thing. If that type of problem exists, then there’s a good chance there could be a mould problem as well. In addition, they can spot foundation problems, insect infestation caused by carpenter ants or termites, and tell you about the quality of your roof.

Where do you Locate a Vancouver Home Inspector?

Some of the best people to ask about qualified and knowledgeable home inspectors are your realtor or aVancouvermortgage broker like me. You can check them out online, use the yellow pages and even talk to family or friends to get a referral.

You can also go and check out the CAHPI (Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors BC) to get a list of local approved and licensed home inspectors. Their web site also has some valuable information to get you up to speed on what home inspectors do and how you can best use their services.

I also suggest that once you select several candidates that you do a quick check on them with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any complaints lodged against them. It never hurts to be thorough.

The most important thing that I can suggest is to ensure that the home inspector you talk to is licensed with Consumer Protection British Columbia.

Questions to Ask your Vancouver Home Inspector

These are the most vital questions to ask a home inspector before you hire them, and about the home inspection itself. I might also suggest that it could be a good idea if you accompany them during the inspection.

Don’t be shy about asking a lot of questions, because I don’t have to tell you that buying a home is a big investment.

1. Ask if they are licensed. A professional home inspector should be able to show you proof right then and there.

2. Ask them about their years in business and about their professional training and qualifications.

3. You should also inquire about how long they will take and much they charge. As a rule of thumb, a proper and full home inspection usually takes up to about 3 hours.

4. One very important thing you should find out about is the limitation of liability agreement which explains what their liability exposure will be if they miss something on the inspection. They don’t have X-ray vision so they can’t necessarily pick up everything.

5. If you’re buying an older home that was built before 1990, make sure that asbestos isn’t a component that was used in the insulation.

6. Also, if it’s an older home make sure you ask whether everything is up to code and especially ask about any electrical and plumbing deficiencies.

7. Make sure you are satisfied about the quality of the roof, the type of insulation used and its quality and adequacy. Ask them about the quality and state of the windows and doors.

What if you Have a Problem After the Inspection?

The CAHPI BC has also offers you a complaint resolution feature so if you encounter a problem, you have the ability to file a complaint. Simply get in touch with the association and they can explain the process.

Hope that gets you started in the right direction, and happy house hunting!