home inspection - JJ home inspections

A home inspection is a visual examination of a property or house to evaluate its current condition. It is done by a Certified Home Inspector who gives a detailed report on various parameters to determine whether a home is safe for living or not. A home inspection covers the examination of a property from roof to foundation to find potential issues that can cause trouble in the future. It is very important for a property to pass the inspection to ensure the buyers that no serious issues have been detected.

A typical home inspection process covers the examination of the following:

Building structure
Plumbing and electrical connections
Heating and cooling equipment
Roof, basement, and walls
Pest and insect problems
Security issues

A home inspector simply provides the information in the report based on his finding. He doesn’t advise the clients to make a decision based on his report. A client can use the information provided by the inspector to decide whether or not to buy the house.

The most common issues that can fail a Home Inspection are those that impose health and safety concerns. A buyer shouldn’t ignore these areas of an inspection report before making the final decision:

Structural issues

Certified Home Inspector in Toronto

The structural elements of a home include roof, foundation, walls, framing, slabs, and crawl spaces. A home inspector looks for potential issues such as poor construction, structural damage, and poor drainage that can cause troubles to the people living there. A stable foundation and construction are essential for safety and one should worry about it.

Moisture and water damage

Any water damage or moisture problem in the basement and attic can lead to mold or mildew formation. It can cause health issues to the people living in the home. Water damage in the basement can cause structural integrity issues due to spalling in concrete, brick, or stone.

Electrical and plumbing issues

Plumbing and electrical system is the backbone of any home and no one can survive without them. While a plumbing issue can lead to water damage or moisture problem, a faulty electrical system can be very hazardous. Faulty electrical and plumbing equipment and network can cause costly maintenance issues in the future.

Pests and termites

Pest and termite infection can create serious issues in any home. A certified home inspector looks for potential pest issues and how long they have been active. Termites, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles in any home can damage walls, floors, and wooden structures to a large extent.

These are the most common issues that can pass or fail a home inspection. Passing a home inspection test means there is no potential damage or issues have been discovered in the home and you can live with your family happily and safely. If you are looking for a Certified Home Inspector in Toronto to conduct a property inspection before making a purchasing decision, Contact us at JJ Home Inspections for the most trusted and reliable evaluation of the property on various fronts.

Home Inspectors in Toronto

January 7, 20210

What is Thermal Imaging and what are Its Benefits in Home Inspection?

Whether you are selling or buying a home, a home inspection is something you cannot avoid. If you do so, chances of negotiation and getting the price are reduced. It means you suffer from dire consequences.

In the last few years, the home inspection process has changed significantly. There is no space for regular inspection, which includes visualization, sampling, and other manual actions. The Home Inspectors in Toronto have started using thermal imaging for inspection.

Thermal Imaging in Home Inspection

Also known as infrared thermography, thermal imaging technology analyses the thermal variances on surfaces to find the defects in various systems in a building. In the process, the home inspector looks at the vulnerable areas if sensed in the infrared scan.

Other than checking the structural and system damages, infrared imaging uses infrared technology to find temperature variations. It’s usually combined with the regular Home Inspection for a thorough inspection.

Benefits of Thermal Imaging in Home Inspection

Detects problems with Energy Efficiency

Home Inspectors in Toronto

If the house is not sealed or insulated property, the HVAC systems have to suffer the consequences. They have to work overtime to compensate. For example, the air conditioners work twice hard than normal functioning because air continues to escape. On the other hand, heating systems strain to keep the house warm because escapes continuously.

With the help of infrared imaging, it’s easy for the home inspectors to reveal these problems by showing hidden cracks, gaps, missing insulation, and more.

Detects problems with electrical systems

The uneven temperature in the electrical systems within your home can lead to electrical fires. Both low and high temperature is not advised for the electrical systems; it should be relatively consistent. The infrared or thermal technology detects the overheated pockets and prevents any fire accident in the future.

You shouldn’t take electrical issues lightly and should address them as soon as detected.

Detects problems with moisture

Water damage and moisture are neither good for your property nor your health. If these problems are not treated on time, they weaken the structure and lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which leads to respiratory issues.

It’s difficult to detect water damages unless excessive flooding or rainfall is coming on the roof. With the help of thermal imaging, home inspectors detect the unusual spots behind walls, floors, and cabinets.

Hire home inspectors using thermal imaging during a home inspection

With so many benefits of thermal imaging in home inspection, we recommend hiring a home inspector who uses this technology. We know he will not get through the walls of your house, but at least he will provide extra insights into a home inspection.

Lastly, if you are looking for one of the best Home Inspectors in Toronto with thermal imaging technology, you should contact J J Home Inspections. We include thermal imaging in our regular inspection routine at no extra cost.

Home Inspection

December 30, 20200

The 3 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Home Inspection

Whether you are a home buyer or seller, signing an agreement without a home inspection process is not a brainer. We know it’s an add-on expense, but it’s important for your safety and to secure your investment.

During the Home Inspection, a specialized officer checks the damages and defects of the house you are planning to sell or buy and prepare a report based on different parameters. They look after structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues to ensure that the house is safe to live in. Not only this, the report prepared by a home inspector gives an upper hand while negotiating the cost from the other party. At every step of a home sale or purchase deal, home inspection plays an important role.

Even with so many advantages, people hesitant about getting their house inspected before selling or buying because of lots of questions in their minds. You might also come across these while making a deal.

To make things easy, we have answered the 3 most frequently asked questions about the home inspection in this post.

What is the cost of the home inspection service?

The cost of the service depends on the company you hire and other variables defined by the Home Inspectors.

The variables are:

Home Inspection

Location of the property or the time taken by the inspector to reach the location
Size and age of the home
Condition of the real estate market
The urgency of the inspection and report delivery
Any additional services like mold inspection

You should not determine the cost before communicating with professionals. The best is to research online or ask for a price quote.

How long the home inspection process takes?

Just like the cost of the service, there is no standard time for the home inspection report. It depends on the number of officials working on the property and the following factors.

Size and age of the property
Number of systems installed and need to be inspected
Accessibility to the areas to be inspected
The weather condition of the property location
State regulations and permissions if required
Questions and answer session with the client
Additional services

Usually, it takes 3 to 4 hours, but still, you shouldn’t assume. Also, you shouldn’t rush during the home inspection.

What is the process of a home inspection?

The home inspection process starts with an initial consultation with the client. This consultation is majorly is for knowing the client’s expectations from a home inspection.
Once the details are noted, the home inspector visits the location and checks the details from the top to bottom. The expert does not leave any corner of the house.
Upon completion, the inspector gives a verbal overview of his findings or provides a comprehensive inspection report. Along with the report, most home inspectors advise the right steps to improve the condition or tricks to negotiate the cost.

Due to cost and lack of time, people often think of DIY Home Inspection, but they forget that it’s not so easy. A home inspector’s job is like an advocate who analyses the home structure or utilities and proves his words. So hire a certified home inspector and save your investment.

Home Inspection

December 24, 20200

Is It Safe to Perform Home Inspection Before Sale/Purchase During COVID-19?

This time, 2020 Christmas and 2021 New Year will be nothing like you have celebrated in the past years. At times, when people are typically busy enjoying the festive vibes with their friends and family, all of us are going through things like social distancing, quarantine, and doing office work at home. But the reality is many Canadians still need to sell and buy homes amidst this chaos. And the most important part of determining whether a home is worth buying or selling is the Home Inspection process.

In past, inspectors used to involve the concerned party during inspection to help them better understand the condition of the home. Nowadays, inspectors, realtor partners, homeowners, and homebuyers are required to keep safe from the COVID-19. That’s why this time you need a home inspection company that can adapt the way it does business to serve their clients safely in this challenging situation. To clear your doubt, let’s clear that –

Yes, Home Inspection Is Safe During COVID-19.

The best thing about home inspection is that it doesn’t need face-to-face contact. Unlike before the pandemic when Home Inspectors encouraged buyers or sellers to participate in the home inspection process, this time it is much safer when a home inspector does the inspection solo in compliance with the government COVID-19 guidelines.

So, if you are looking for a home inspector in Canada before buying or selling a house, here are a few tips that you should follow to ensure safe home inspection during COVID-19.

Home Inspection

Find a home inspector who will review the inspection report over the phone call, video conference, or email after completing the inspection process rather than insisting you to join him/her during the inspection.
The report to be provided after inspection of the home must include photos and a short video for the summary to clearly explain key points and show important areas and problematic areas as you yourself cannot be present for inspection due to safety issues. If it doesn’t, then ask them to do include images and videos in the report.
Vacate the property when the home inspector comes for inspection to minimize any interaction and not compromise the health safety of anyone. However, with self-isolation being practiced, this might not always be possible. If this is the case with you as well, you should discuss it with your inspector before the inspection so that they can make alternate arrangements.
Ensure that the home inspector or inspection team is diligent with sanitizing common areas that they come into contact with, such as faucet handles, doorknobs, and counters to reduce the risk. They must practice extra caution by washing and sanitizing their hands before, during, and after the inspection.
Figure out if the home inspection company stays abreast with the latest developments associated with COVID-19 and follows the guidance provided by the Government of Canada, World Health Organization (WHO), as well as local authorities.

Discussing all these things before inviting the home inspector for the inspection process is essential to ensure the safety of your family as well as the home inspector without overlooking any details of the Home Inspection.

Home Inspection

December 3, 20200

Top Reasons to Have a Home Inspection before Buying a House

When you are investing your savings in real estate, you should take your time to find the right property in excellent condition for better returns. A professional home inspection is a way to determine the condition of any residential or commercial property before moving further. Once you decide on a potential house or any other property you are going to purchase, hire a home inspector to conduct a thorough inspection of the property before finalizing the contract.

A Home Inspection by a professional home inspector helps investors to assess the value and condition of the property they are planning to buy. Here are the top reasons why you should consider a professional inspection before buying a new house.

Safety

A home inspection lets you uncover potential safety issues to avoid any future trouble. You cannot judge a home by its facade and you need to find what’s inside. A professional Home Inspector conduct inspections to find issues such as crumbling structure, worn roofing, non-functional windows, improper electrical wiring, and plumbing issues that can be dangerous as well as costly to repair. It can also help you detect hazardous issues like mold formation that causes different health issues with continuous exposure.

Pest and insect problems

Depending on the location of the property, pest and insect infection can be an issue in a house. Pests or insects like termites, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants can create problems in any home. A home inspection service that includes pest and insect inspection can investigate for any infection in the woods, walls, or surface to make sure that the house is okay to purchase.

Forecast maintenance and repair

Home Inspection

Pre home inspection also helps you forecast the maintenance, repair, or renovation works you will need to do before move-in. This way you can set your expenses to manage everything in your budget. Buying a home is a significant investment that’s why you should be aware of the future expenses of owning the house you are going to purchase.

Negotiation

Once you know the real condition of the house, you can determine the actual value of the property with the help of your real estate agents. It helps you negotiate on your points provided during the home inspection process to get a better deal on your investment to save some money. You can negotiate with confidence by projecting the maintenance and repair cost it will take to reduce the price of the property.

Peace of mind

The main purpose of a home inspection is to ensure that the home is safe and ready to move for most of the part. It gives you peace of mind that you are investing in a property that has no or fewer issues that can be easily managed with some maintenance works.

The above reasons clearly indicate why a home inspection is highly recommended. When you are looking for Professional Home Inspection services, you should look for home inspectors that have a professional certificate and years of experience to perform various inspections in construction and house safety.

Home Inspection

November 26, 20200

The 4 Factors That Affect the Length of House Inspection Process

Most often, both buyers and sellers drop the idea of a home inspection because they think it’s a lengthy process. And they have to take time out from their busy schedule to stay with the home inspector during the process.

A Home Inspection is a lengthy process but not always. If a neighbour or a close friend of yours spent the entire day on the inspection process, then it does not mean you will go through the same. There are a few factors that define the length of the home inspection process. And these factors are different for different people. So you should not make a decision based on what others went through.

If you are still not convinced, read the 4 factors that determine the length of the home inspection process.

What is the size of the property?

It’s one of the major factors that influence home inspection time. The theory of size is very simple. If the house is small, it will take lesser time; on the other hand, if the house is large, the home inspector will take more time. Other than the size of the property, the large basements and attics will increase the time as compared to homes that don’t have them.

Where is the property located?

Not just the structure of the house, the location does play a major role in deciding the length of the home inspection process. If your house is located in a dry area, it is easy to inspect the property and takes lesser time as compared to the property located at the top of a hill. The walls are surfaces are dried which makes it easy for the inspectors to spot the defects and damages. If the area suffers from severe storms, the inspection time will increase and many other factors will be taken into consideration.

How old is the property?

Home inspectors

The age of the property directly affects its condition. The structure gets weaken and suffer from several defects and damages. According to experts, if the property is older than 50 years, it takes longer to inspect. It is because more tests are administered to ensure that the foundation is in good condition. As compared to old homes, new or not so old homes will take lesser time.

Not just inspection, report making also takes time in older homes because Home Inspectors have to work on more parameters and get accurate results.

What are the disaster risks in the location?

Other than factors related to your home, the environmental conditions and disasters play major roles in the home inspection time. A home inspector has to consider different factors based on the location of the property. In areas that are prone to flooding, tornadoes, or wildfires, the inspection time is more because homes here have extra spaces like basements and storm shelters to inspect.

Now, you have an idea of the factors due to which the time of home inspection varies. So while comparing it with other homeowners, you should keep these as parameters.

Lastly, in any situation, no one should ever think of skipping the Home Inspection process because it’s about a huge transaction. A small mistake can reduce the sale price for the sellers and severely impact the investment of the buyers.

Licensed home inspector Toronto

November 12, 20200

The 5 Signs That Show You Hired an Amateur Home Inspector

Just like other professions, home inspectors do need proper training and certification to conduct a home inspection. It’s a comprehensive and methodical process that requires the right experience and use of the right tools and technology to deliver an accurate result. In anything is missed during the Home Inspection process, both your effort and investment will go in vain.

Though home inspection is a very specific process, homeowners take for granted and someone who is not experienced or offers the service at a low cost. They try to save money on something which they should never do.

In most cases, homeowners do not realize even after working with an amateur home inspector, thinking everything is fine as he was a professional too. They stay relaxed and start focusing on other tasks.

At present, you might not face any problem after the inspection is complete and the report is received but the future can be problematic. So, to ensure you were not in the wrong hands, you should look for the following signs.

Missed the issues which were later found by you

If you find damage or any other issue in your property after the inspection is complete, you were not working with an experienced person. A well-trained home inspector looks into every corner and nothing is missed out from his eyes, especially if the damage is huge. If you can detect the issue, then it’s very easy for a professional to identify.

Caused damage to your property during the inspection

Licensed Home Inspector

During the inspection, the safety of the property lies in the hands of the professionals. They use the right tool for inspection and prevent any damage. The risk of property damage is no or very less when working with a professional. If your house gets damaged during inspection, the inspector was an amateur.

Caused harm to himself during the inspection process

In a few cases, the condition of the property is poor that leads to accidents and injuries. The Professional Home Inspectors are aware of these accidents so they take several precautions for self-safety and avoid any injury. If a person is hurting himself during the inspection process, it means he is not well-trained to handle such situations.

Report is either incomplete or bloated

The report presented by a home inspector says a lot about the knowledge and experience of the person. Different parameters are included in a home inspection report to show the detailed analysis. You should check online or consult an expert to know all the parameters. If the points are missing, it means the home inspector has submitted an incomplete report. He is not capable to prepare a report.

Listed issues which were not actually issues

Even if the report is complete, you might find some issues in it. And the most common one is listing the issues which were actually not found in the property. If you were with the inspector during the inspection process, it will be easy for you to spot these mistakes. An amateur home inspector does so to complete the report in a wrong way or show his fake expertise.

As a responsible owner, a home inspection is important for now and forever. So if you notice these signs after the completion of the home inspection process, we recommend hiring a certified and Licensed Home Inspector (don’t make your selection based on service cost) and perform home inspection again. We know things will get costly but nothing is more important than your safety.

Home Inspection

November 5, 20200

Why Home Inspection is Important?

Excitement and joy of investing in a new house are fine until and unless it clouds your judgement and makes you take a hurried decision on the most expensive purchase of your entire lifetime. One of the most common things that many of the homeowners forget while purchasing a new property is to have a Professional Home Inspection. Home inspections are considered to be a crucial aspect of the home buying process that would make you see the property for what it really is and help you save your time as well as hard-earned money in the long run.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection can be defined as the process of visually examining or inspecting the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof of the property to the foundation of it. A standard home inspection tends to include a full review of heating and cooling system of the house, electrical systems, windows, doors, roof, interior plumbing, walls, and last but not the least, the foundation.

Now that you know what a home inspection actually is, we can dive into some of the reasons why a home inspection is considered to be an important process before buying any house.

Don’t judge a house by the looks:
Home Inspection
People, who invest in some of the newer constructions, find a home inspection an extravagant affair which they can do without. The age of the house doesn’t really matter as there can still be several costly troubles that might arise in the future for the new buyer. Just like the old saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover”, the same can be said with respect to the house. It is not recommended for new home buyers to judge a house by its façade. You would want the expert opinion of a Home Inspector in order to ensure that you are making a sound investment.
Save your hard earned money:
There are certain variations when it comes to the cost of home inspections, depending upon the size and age of the house in question. Many of you might think why to waste your money on this service when the real estate agent tells only good stuff about the property. But a few years down the line, when you are forced to rewire certain structure and systems of the house, you would realize that had you spent a few extra bucks on home inspection you would have saved a lot of money that you are currently spending.
Negotiation power:
If you want to have a negotiation power when you are trying to lower the price of the house, then a home inspection can help you do that as well. If you are interested in a house that is on the edge of your budget, then the information collected during the Home Inspection can prove to be vital in order to give you the bargaining power to make the price of the house lesser.

So, after knowing some of the reasons for investing in home inspection when purchasing a house, you would consider hiring a reliable home inspector when you decide to purchase a house in the future.

Home Inspection

October 29, 20200

Why should you hire a Home Inspector?

Investing in a house is arguably the costliest and biggest spending you would make in your entire lifetime. So it is important to ensure that that big of spending is something that is satisfactory for years to come.

To make sure that every penny you spend on your new home is worth it, people prefer to hire home inspection services. Although a home inspection is not compulsory for buyers when purchasing any property, it can be one of the best pre-home purchase decisions one can ever make. Many of you might consider it extravagant spending, but as a matter of fact, spending a few bucks on Home Inspection Services in Toronto or anywhere, would help you avoid costly home repairs further down the line.

There are several reasons to take the services of a professional home inspector. Some of the significant ones are mentioned below in detail.

Ensures safety:
If you hire a reputed home inspection service, you would be able to know about any potential safety concerns present in your new house. Some of the conditions that the home inspectors tend to look for are mold, carbon monoxide, and even radon. The presence of any of these substances can have harmful health consequences for the inhabitants as they contribute to poor air quality.
Provides bargaining power:
There is a chance that a home inspector would be able to find something that you did not come across when you had a rough look around the house. And that something could be something which is expensive to fix. This discovery tends to give you some bargaining power with the selling party when it comes to the price of the house. The sellers might be forced to sell the house at a much lower price than what they set earlier so as to compensate for the expenses you would spend for all the repair work.
Anticipate future expenses:
Another reason to hire the services of a home inspector is that they have the ability to notice any major elements of the house that would require your attention to ensure the safety of everyone in the house. A reliable Home Inspection would determine the overall condition of the structure and its contents including the condition of the roof and paints, as well as certain home appliances.
Final chance to opt out:
Sometimes, the home inspector you hire can detect problems in your potential home that are grave enough to make you change your mind about purchasing it. Many times, people don’t hire a professional home inspector, and then a few years down the line regret investing so much in a house that is just not worth it. So, you get a final chance to opt-out by hiring a home inspector.

These were only some of the reasons why you must consider hiring a reliable Home Inspection Service. So, if you are soon going to invest in a new house, make sure that you get in touch with a home inspection company and ensure that you are spending your money on the right house.

Home Inspection

October 15, 20200

How to Choose the Right Home Inspector?

Are you finally buying your dream house? Chances are it is going to be the most expensive purchase that you would make in your entire lifetime. Buying a home is considered to be an investment you make for you and your family’s present as well as future. So, if you are thinking about investing in a house without having it inspected by a professional, then you might be putting your future plans in danger. You would not want to deal with any expensive repairs once you have sealed the deal with the real estate agent, which could have been avoided with the help of Home Inspection.

It is recommended that you hire a Certified Home Inspector so as to ensure that the house you are about to buy is devoid of any major or minor flaws. The job of a home inspector is to determine the integrity of your new home and all of its several components. By inspecting a home, they tend to make sure of its safety, utility of all its systems, and livability. A reliable and certified home inspector indulges in a thorough home inspection and provides you with a written report on almost all the important aspects of the property.

However, people find it difficult to make the right choice when looking for a home inspector due to so many options available to them. So, to make things easier for you, below are some of the things you must keep in mind in order to get your hands on a reliable home inspector.

Home inspection

Referrals and reviews:
While you are on the lookout for a home inspector, it is recommended that you reach out to those whom your friends and family would trust and recommend. Apart from that, you can also check reviews of your preferred home inspectors online and find out who is the most reliable and suitable option for you.
Interview potential inspectors:
Another thing you must take into consideration is to interview your potential candidates and clear all your doubts by asking some important questions. Are they licensed and certified? For how long have they been working in this field? Are they insured and bonded? How long the home inspection will take? How much would be the overall cost of hiring their services approximately? These are some of the questions that you must ask, and go with the one that gives you satisfactory answers.
Be careful of red flags:
It is important for you to be there while the inspector is inspecting your new house. If, by chance, the inspector insists that your presence is not really necessary, you can take this as a red flag. You must be walking around the house alongside them, observing whatever they see as a problem or a potential issue. Just like this, it is recommended that you steer clear of Home Inspection companies that give off certain red flags.

By keeping these things in mind, it is most likely that you would find a reliable and competent Home Inspector and determine if your future home is livable or not.

Tag: home inspection

What are the Most Common Issues that can fail a Home Inspection?

What is Thermal Imaging and what are Its Benefits in Home Inspection?

Benefits of Thermal Imaging in Home Inspection

The 3 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Home Inspection

What is the cost of the home inspection service?

How long the home inspection process takes?

What is the process of a home inspection?

Is It Safe to Perform Home Inspection Before Sale/Purchase During COVID-19?

Yes, Home Inspection Is Safe During COVID-19.

Top Reasons to Have a Home Inspection before Buying a House