It’s well known that hiring a building inspector is essential before buying a property. Although their services come with a fee, the investment is well worth it.
In Quebec, where most people take on debt over ten or twenty years to purchase a home, it’s especially important to hire a building inspector before finalizing your purchase.
You'll quickly understand that the cost of hiring a home inspector is a small price to pay compared to the potential risks!
Let us explain why.
What is the role of a building inspector?
A building inspector plays a crucial role in evaluating a property’s condition. With their expertise in construction, they apply their technical knowledge to assess the safety and health standards of a building.
Their involvement is particularly important during the home-buying process. The inspector’s main objective is to identify any issues, whether significant or minor, that could impact the property’s value or present risks to its occupants.
What are the qualifications needed to be a home inspector?
It’s important to ensure that your home inspection is performed by a qualified professional, not just anyone. Even if you have a brother-in-law who is a dedicated builder, his expertise does not replace that of a certified building inspector. A home inspector has specialized knowledge and skills essential for accurately assessing the overall condition of a property.
Becoming a home inspector involves more than just having construction experience. While the profession is currently less regulated compared to other real estate fields, this is expected to change soon.
Specialized education
Although there is no set career path to becoming a building inspector, specialized technical training is crucial for evaluating a building’s components and their condition. Generally, a home inspector will have obtained an Attestation of College Studies (ACS) in their field, which provides the necessary knowledge and skills.
Member of a professional association
When selecting a qualified building inspector, it’s important to check their affiliation with a professional association. In Quebec, the Association des Inspecteurs en Bâtiment du Québec (AIBQ) is one of the most prominent organizations for building inspectors.
While membership is such an association is not mandatory, a reputable building inspector is likely to be a member, as affiliation indicates a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality. Additionally, these types of professional organizations play an essential role in protecting the public and clients by ensuring that home inspectors adhere to established guidelines and practices.
What is the cost of a home inspection?
The cost of a home inspection can vary significantly based on several factors. Just as inspector fees differ among professionals, prices can also fluctuate by region.
Several criteria influence the cost, including:
- Location of the property
- Type of property
- Age of the property
- Size of the property
- The building inspector
- Any additional services.
In 2024, the estimated costs for a pre-purchase inspection are as follows:
- $500 to $850 for a condominium.
- $650 to $950 for a single-family home.
- $750 to $1,000 for a duplex.
- $850 to $1,250 for a three-story triplex.
- Over $950 for larger properties.
Please note that the prices are for informational purposes only. To ensure you receive the best service at a competitive price, it’s advisable to obtain quotes from multiple building inspectors.
Pre-purchase inspection: who pays for the inspector?
In most cases, the buyer is responsible for covering the cost of the pre-purchase inspection, whether the property is a condo, house, duplex, or another type. This responsibility also includes selecting and hiring the inspector, unless the purchase agreement states otherwise.
For inspections conducted for reasons other than a real estate transaction, such as preventive or presale inspections, the homeowner typically bears the cost.
What does a building inspection cover?
During a thorough property inspection, a home inspector will evaluate several key elements, including:
- Foundations: Look for signs of movement and cracks.
- Accessible structure: Assess the condition of both interior and exterior floors and walls.
- Lot: Examine sloping to identify potential flooding risks.
- Driveway: Review the condition of the asphalt.
- Roofing: Inspect the roof’s condition and determine if any materials need replacement.
- Moisture: Measure humidity, detect water infiltration, and check for mould.
- Insulation: Identify areas where heat loss might occur through doors and windows.
- Plumbing: Evaluate the condition of pipes and the overall plumbing system.
- Heating system: Check the system’s condition and necessary maintenance.
- Electrical system: Ensure that the electrical panel and system meet current standards.
- Ventilation: Inspect air exchangers, wall-mounted air conditioners, or heat pumps to detect potential major issues.
- Sewers and drains: Review sewer connections and look for any harmful substances in the drains.
Additionally, the inspector should be able to identify various issues affecting the building, including:
- Iron ochre: A substance formed when oxygen, water, and iron in the soil react with certain bacteria, potentially leading to drainage problems.
- Poly-B: Chlorinated plastic pipes that can deteriorate prematurely, increasing the risk of leaks.
- Pyrite: A mineral that can cause concrete and stone to expand, leading to significant structural damage.
- Radon: A harmful gas that, with prolonged exposure, can elevate the risk of lung cancer.
- Vermiculite: An insulation material that may contain amphibole asbestos, posing health hazards.
After conducting a thorough visual inspection, the building inspector will prepare a report detailing any items that require repair or replacement.
This report serves to help you renegotiate the terms of the purchase agreement, addressing the costs associated with these repairs. Hiring a building inspector allows you to mitigate the risk of buying a home with hidden defects, providing you with valuable information to make informed decisions.
What is excluded from a building inspection?
While the building inspector conducts a thorough examination of the property, certain items are typically excluded from the inspection. These include:
- Dependencies
- Wood-burning appliances
- Phone and cable systems
- Alarm systems
- Pools and spas
- Any purely aesthetic elements of the house
The inspection focuses on elements that are visible, so issues hidden within the foundations, floors, or walls may not be detected. Despite these limitations, the inspection is valuable for estimating repair and maintenance costs related to the property's condition.
It’s important to understand that a building inspection is not a guarantee but rather a "thorough visual inspection" conducted by an experienced professional. While it does not protect against undetectable hidden defects, it significantly reduces the likelihood of encountering unexpected problems after the real estate transaction.
How can I be sure I've chosen the right building inspector?
A good building inspector should spend about eight hours on the process, which includes travel time, inspecting the house and its components (typically 2 to 3 hours), as well as photo analysis, research, and report writing.
Additionally, the inspector should
- Offer advice to help you make an informed decision.
- Inquire about recent renovations with the seller.
- Review the seller’s statement with you.
- Provide an oral summary of the inspection.
- Present a detailed, personalized report that clearly outlines all visible defects without using generic or technical jargon.
Are you looking for a qualified home inspector?
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