Home Inspector Recommendation

[JayP]

I'm just in the middle of the home buying process and want to line up a good home inspector for when the time I need one arises.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good one? I've heard lots of bad stories about the home inspector being more concerned with showing the buyer where everything is and how it works as opposed to giving the house a thorough investigation. There is some importance to that stuff, but I'm buying an older home so I'd feel more comfortable with the focus being on the furnace, hot water heater, roof, etc.

I'm hoping for someone with experience in the construction industry too as I've read it's pretty easy to take a quick course and be qualified to do home inspections.

[DuffMan]

Mike Holmes

[sclitheroe]

Do you think most people use a home inspector during the buying process? I'm curious what the percentage is. My only house was new, so I had the manufacturers warranty, but I'm wondering what percentage of people use inspection services when buying used.

Edit: I'm not for or against the notion, just curious.

[Regular_John]

I actually just used Randy at http://mrhomeinspections.ca to inspect the town home we purchased. The report he provided was very thorough, checked all the electrical outlets, the furnace/hot water heater and even got into the attic and poked around the fireplace flue.

I'd recommend him.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Do you think most people use a home inspector during the buying process? I'm curious what the percentage is. My only house was new, so I had the manufacturers warranty, but I'm wondering what percentage of people use inspection services when buying used.

Edit: I'm not for or against the notion, just curious.

I would hope 100% considering you are buying the most expensive thing you are ever likely to own. Sadly I know this is not the case.

Extremly dumb not to IMO.

[Bill Bumface]

Not recommended: Pillar to Post.

Recommended: Someone with moisture detectors/IR cameras. After Pillar to Post came out and gave the place a pass, but said the roof would need doing within 5 years I had an environmental inspection place come out and let me know that the roof was leaking and there was moisture in the walls from it.

No clue how that fool didn't notice all the water staining in the attic when he was in there. Grr.

[kaddy]

bumping this up... Anyone have a recommendation?

[Red]

Home inspectors are too limited to do any meaningful assessments. They do a walk through and refer you to plumbers, electricians etc to give you more than a visual inspection.
Fancy thermal pictures are not worth the money. Bring a friend or family member in the know to check things out. If you can't see an issue with ur own eyes, the inspector won't either. If you need to lift insulation to see underneath it, you can do it but the inspector is not allowed.

Try to get a copy of a report from someone you know. You will quickly see how little they reveal.

My opinion.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

I actually just used Randy at http://mrhomeinspections.ca to inspect the town home we purchased. The report he provided was very thorough, checked all the electrical outlets, the furnace/hot water heater and even got into the attic and poked around the fireplace flue.

I'd recommend him.

I used Randy last year. Would recommend.

[kaddy]

Originally Posted by Red

Home inspectors are too limited to do any meaningful assessments. They do a walk through and refer you to plumbers, electricians etc to give you more than a visual inspection.
Fancy thermal pictures are not worth the money. Bring a friend or family member in the know to check things out. If you can't see an issue with ur own eyes, the inspector won't either. If you need to lift insulation to see underneath it, you can do it but the inspector is not allowed.

Try to get a copy of a report from someone you know. You will quickly see how little they reveal.

My opinion.

I've had them done before, I know they don't check codes etc. I'd probably prefer to just have a piece of mind of what they've checked vs what I've missed.

[kaddy]

Originally Posted by J pold

I used Randy last year. Would recommend.

I already called him before I bumped up this thread , unfortunately he's away right now.

I'm not a fan of who my realtor gave me, home crafters inc. They have such horrible reviews.

Any other suggestions?

[Morning Wood]

Just used tempest home inspections, and was happy with the service.

[malcolmk14]

Used Egbert at Diamond Home Inspection. He was very thorough.

9.8 stars after 77 reviews on HomeStars.

https://homestars.com/companies/2789...ome-inspection

[EverfresH15]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Used Egbert at Diamond Home Inspection. He was very thorough.

9.8 stars after 77 reviews on HomeStars.

https://homestars.com/companies/2789...ome-inspection

I used him as well. Did he tell you cheesy jokes the whole time?

[KTrain]

I agree with NOT using Pillar to Post. We used them when we purchased a home and they said everything was fine. Two years later, we and the buyer used them when selling the same home. They determined we had zonolite insulation in the house which contains as asbestos. Because they found it, the new buyer wouldn't buy the home until it was removed. That was a $15k job to abate and replace the insulation.

[kaddy]

Thanks for the suggestions. Booked with tempest home inspections tomorrow.
Just need a lawyer now .