Very simply, a house is the single largest investment most individuals will ever make. More and more purchasers are coming to understand the wisdom of a thorough home inspection prior to committing to its purchase. Home inspections have proven to be a positive and educational experience for prospective homebuyers. An impartial inspection by a Certified Home Inspector will provide a large measure of protection from unpleasant surprises and allow you to make an informed decision about your purchase.

The purpose of an inspection is to determine the condition of a property at the time of purchase, or afterwards in cases involving litigation, in order to disclose the following:

Typically an inspection takes between 2 and 3 hours, occasionally longer, and includes an examination of all the major systems such as roofing, structural, exterior and interior finishes, electrical, heating/air conditioning, insulation, plumbing and related components.

Serious deficiencies (usually defined as repairs in excess of $1,500)

Replacement and repair requirements

Age and life expectancy of major components

Positive aspects of the home

Maintenance and safety information

The following is part of a standard home inspection:

Exterior:

Slope, grading and drainage of the property

Foundation and exterior walls

Porches and decks

Windows, doors, headers and sills

Fascia, soffits and eaves troughs

Roof, flashings, vents and chimneys

Garage, carport and outbuildings

Interior:

Foundation walls, basement floor, posts and beams

Waterproofing, moisture penetration, wood rot, etc.

Electrical service and wiring

Plumbing supply, waste drainage and fixtures

Heating, air conditioning (summer only) and ventilation

Floors, walls, ceilings, doors and windows

Attic insulation and ventilation

A professional home inspection does not include appraisals, exact quotations for repairs, noncompliance with building code requirements, and is not intended to provide guarantees or warranties. Well water analysis and septic inspections are not part of a standard home inspection but very important. We would suggest that you have both of these areas addressed by professionals in those specialties. Several Laboratories provide water sample vials that may be collected and filled by the purchaser and submitted to the lab for analysis. Air Conditioners cannot be inspected except during summer months (typically May to September). Pools and spas are not included as inspection items. Wood burning appliances such as fireplaces and wood stoves would require a separate inspection by a WETT inspector (Wood Energy Technology Transfer).

Some fire insurance companies provide discounts for WETT inspected and approved properties. Napoleon Home Inspections offers free WETT inspections with every home inspection.

Knowing what to expect will help you make an informed decision about the value of your home as well as the costs of future upkeep. Two articles taken from the "Ottawa Citizen" and well worth reading are: Home Inspections Pay Dividends and Inspect Before You Seal the Deal

When Should The Inspection Take Place?

New Homes*

With any new home purchase, it is strongly recommended that you ensure that you fully comprehend all the rules and requirements of your provincial warranty program prior to taking possession. In Ontario, you will want to visit the Tarion Warranty web site and review it in detail. ( http://www.tarion.com/home/ )

It is in your best interest to consider having a Certified Home Inspector accompany you to your PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) prior to your occupancy and any money changing hands. During this PDI you will be asked to create a list of deficiencies with the builder representative (and of course the verbal assistance of your home inspector). After you move into your new home, there is generally a period of 30 days in which you may forward a list of building deficiencies to the Warranty Program. There is also another opportunity as you approach your first anniversary in the home. Your final list of home deficiencies needs to be submitted to Tarion Warranty within a 30-day period prior to the end of your first year in the home.

PLEASE READ: It is imperative that all correspondence to your builder and/or the warranty program contains a running list of ALL outstanding deficiencies with your home - even if previously reported. Most Warranty Programs look at your last list submitted as the most recent and accurate reflection of all outstanding issues. If you were to submit a report of any new issue on its own, they will assume that all previous matters have been remedied. (whether they have been corrected or not).

REMEMBER TO KEEP COPIES OF EVERY LIST OR DOCUMENT WHILE PURCHASING A HOME. HAVE THE BUILDER INITIAL OR SIGN AND DATE COPIES OF LISTS GIVEN DURING INSPECTIONS.

* Napoleon Home Inspections have provided this information as a courtesy and does not warrant the accuracy of any warranty information above as rules and regulations for any warranty program may change from time to time. We strongly suggest that you remain current with all warranty policies and strictly adhere to the requirements of the program in order to retain the most from your coverage.

Resale Homes

Your real estate agent may have included a clause in your offer to purchase, making it conditional upon a home inspection to your satisfaction. If there isn't a clause to that effect, then you need to include it. An agreement of purchase is a binding contract, once signed; there may be little room for alterations or changes. No offer to purchase should be signed without seeking the advice of a reputable real estate lawyer who will ensure that your interests are protected within the contract. Remember that items like air conditioners cannot be inspected during colder months and a clause to ensure their satisfactory operation should be considered (we normally suggest that a date like July 1st would allow a purchaser the chance to test an air conditioning unit under hot climatic conditions). You are generally granted a limited time frame to arrange and have your inspection completed. The inspection should take place after all price negotiations have been finalized and the vendors have accepted your offer. At this point in time, it is evident that you intend to purchase the property. Now is your opportunity to determine the finer details about what you are buying by engaging the services of a Certified Home Inspector.

We highly recommended that you accompany the inspector during the inspection process. At Napoleon Home Inspections we encourage your active participation in the inspection process through questions and answers so be sure to bring along a pad and paper. Please remember that part of the inspection occurs outdoors ? so dress accordingly.

You will receive an oral point-by-point report discussing any and all defects found. You will then receive, usually within hours, a detailed written and pictorial report, either by email or hard copy, which lists and shows every defect found with recommendations for actions required by homeowner. Some Home Inspectors dash off a quick report on site which might not contain the detail and depth that discerning homeowners require. Napoleon Home Inspections then offers unlimited follow up information and advice, via phone or email. We also run a free forum "Ask the Experts" which allows access to professionals in Heating, Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete repair, Real Estate and Staging your home. http://napoleon.cc/forum

A good quality inspection by a NACHI professional home inspector can cost upwards of $300 plus but should not generally total more than $550 (taxes included). Exceptions should be made for larger or unique properties or those containing multiple units such as a duplex or triplex. Inspections involving several site visitations such as those during a building's construction will cost more due to the time involved and the uniqueness of this service. Payment of the fee is usually due upon completion of the inspection.

Napoleon Home Inspections offers a complete home inspection starting at $199.00 for a residential home with one bathroom. Each additional bathroom costs $30.00, this allows us to only charge you for the work we do. For instance, if your basement is not finished, why pay the same as someone who has an extra 1,500 sq ft of finished living area? We also offer a money back guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied, no questions asked. Trust Napoleon Home Inspections with your home inspection and we will trust you to be fair with us.

How Do I Choose The Right Inspector?

Don't become an unfortunate statistic as many unsuspecting homebuyers and homeowners have become. Home Inspection is still totally unregulated in Canada. Absolutely ANYONE can claim to be a home inspector, even if they have NO credentials, related training or experience. So how do you choose? Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation -CMHC recommends that consumers deal only with professional home inspectors who are members of a recognized professional association.

Having said that, not all professional home inspectors are created equal. It is very important to determine how long the individual has been conducting professional home inspections full time. While many individuals claim to have "X years of experience" it may be in a construction related trade and not actual inspection experience - there is a HUGE difference. Professional Home inspectors are specifically trained in "Defect Recognition". Any tradesperson or professional such as an Engineer does not specifically have this training by virtue of their trade or professional degree. Do you really need an Engineer to conduct your home inspection? The answer is simply - NO - You need someone specifically trained in "Defect Recognition".

About The National Association of Home Inspectors

The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors is dedicated to enhancing the technical skills and professional practice of home inspectors, and maintaining high professional standards through education and discipline. The NACHI Standards of Practice provides inspection guidelines, and the NACHI Code of Conduct defines the member's responsibility to act in a strictly fair, impartial, and professional manner.

What is a Certified Home Inspector?

Define a home inspection through the Standards of Practice

Establish membership criteria

Set out a Code of Conduct and

Provide for regulation of the professional through the disciplinary process.

WHAT IS AN NACHI member, and what are his/her Qualifications?

Certified Home Inspectors must meet specific criteria in the areas of:

1. Education

2. Technical background, and

3. Experience

What does this mean to the Home Buyer, Realtor, Lawyer, Banker?

Enhanced professional image: putting people in touch with home inspection professionals reinforces your relationship with clients.

More protection for you: you reduce your liability for both the condition of the home and the quality of the inspector you recommend when you direct people to members of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

More protection for the homebuyer: all Certified Home Inspectors must have proven ability, training, and experience. Their Code of Ethics and a Standards of Practice enable quality of service to be provided to the public on a consistent basis. Certified Home Inspectors have met the educational and technical requirements, have passed a certification process, and must maintain ongoing educational upgrading. Certified Home Inspectors come from many ranks. They have several years of experience in inspections, engineering, architecture, house construction or the building industry.

Please note: Home Inspection Insurance is expensive, over $4,000.00 per year. Verify who ever you choose for your home inspection has "Errors and Omissions" coverage. Talk is cheap, but insurance companies will not insure an individual until he/she has completed a home inspection course and can verify he has the qualifications required.