Inspect Before You Buy
By Canadian Living staff
One of the September issue "Smart Solutions" (Sept. 2000)
OK, you've fallen in love — with a home. But while you may be infatuated with its great character and whimsical charm, you need to look past the superficial before you make the big commitment.
That's where a home inspector comes in. With expertise in finding problems that lie beneath that coat of fresh paint, a home inspector can alert you to problems that, at the very least, will need repairs in the future. (Of course, he might also convince you that your dream home is really a potential nightmare you'd just as soon avoid.)
A standard two- to three-hour inspection generally costs $250 to $300 and may include up to 1,000 checkpoints encompassing the roof, basement and structural details, as well as the heating, electrical and water systems. Bear in mind that inspectors check only items that are accessible — they're not able to detect problems in, say, wiring behind walls.
The Canadian Association of Home Inspectors (CAHI) recommends that before you hire an inspector, you request an agreement defining the scope of the inspection and a written report following it. You should also ask to be included in the inspection itself.
For useful information on what to watch for when buying a home, check out Grassroots Home Inspection Services' list of "10 Costly & Commonly Overlooked Areas" and their Guide to Estimated Life Spans & Costs for Homes.
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