Looking for a Home Inspector

[Reneeee]

Hello,

Anybody have a preferred home inspector they can refer to me? I'm looking to get an inspection done but everybody I've been referred already is all booked up for the week. Conditions need to be lifted by Friday.

Thanks

[fundmark19]

This is who I used for my last house. He seemed ok it was different that we were gutting the place so I am not sure if he didn't find somethings because we weren't looking for them type scenerio as we focused mainly on the bones.

http://www.mrhomeinspections.ca/

I have also used amerispec in the past for a home and it was ok. Guy didn't explain much though going through but they give you a fancy binder with the inspection inside.

http://www.en.amerispec.ca/

[troutman]

http://www.canadianresidential.com/h...east_alex_cruz

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

This is who I used for my last house. He seemed ok it was different that we were gutting the place so I am not sure if he didn't find somethings because we weren't looking for them type scenerio as we focused mainly on the bones.

http://www.mrhomeinspections.ca/

Seconding Mr Home Inspections. Randy was an awesome guy and gave me a whole boatload of tips when we were purchasing our first home.

[Derek Sutton]

This Guy

http://www.housespec.com/region.php?...2&name=Alberta

[Travis Munroe]

Ive used Randy with Mr Home Inspections numerous times!
Be present and ask a million questions for the best inspection!

[KTrain]

Mike at Secure Home Inspections is a good guy as well if you're looking for another option.

http://secureinspections.ca/

[Regulator75]

On average how much does one of these "better" home inspectors cost?

Edit: Did see one of rates of $350.00 for up to 2,000 Square foot home.

[Travis Munroe]

A inspection will run $450+ for a typical home nowadays!

[WilsonFourTwo]

FYI....Just had a very good inspection done last week and it ran $425 + Tax.

A word of advice, try and find someone that uses a thermal camera. They're terrific for finding moisture behind walls, heat loss, and just seeing behind/underneath stuff in general.

[Regulator75]

I'm another very satisfied customer of Randy @ http://www.mrhomeinspections.ca/.

[me_dennis]

Would anyone recommend using a home inspector for a new build home?
I know from previous experience that some homebuilders provide a third party inspector to note deficiencies during the builders walkthrough prior to possession date, but would a home inspection be worth it?

[Travis Munroe]

I'm always supposed to suggest a home inspector however if it was me.....I would save the money when it comes to a new build.

Obviously if the home is yet to be built you wont really have a choice as you have already bought it. If you hire a inspector for a spec home half his job is already done.
Roof - Brand new (not going to thoroughly inspect everywhere on the roof)
Hot water tank - Brand new, no build up or leaks,
Furnace - Brand new looks good

A month or so ago I had a buyer walk from a deal because the roof was deemed to need replacing after the inspection. We had a new roof put into the deal and a deal was put back on the table. This is a example of "valuable" inspection.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Obviously if the home is yet to be built you wont really have a choice as you have already bought it. If you hire a inspector for a spec home half his job is already done.
Roof - Brand new (not going to thoroughly inspect everywhere on the roof)
Hot water tank - Brand new, no build up or leaks,
Furnace - Brand new looks good

This assumes that the builder and their subtrades have all done quality work - an assumption I wouldn't make in Calgary.

Then again, that assumes you can find a home inspector that can actually find something wrong with a place. I've paid for 3 in the last few years on the premise that they know how to spot problems, but I've got a stack of invoices that say otherwise....

[8sPOT]

My current home was a new build and I had an inspection done. One of the plumbers somehow ended up have the sump pump rigged to pump all the way upstairs out of the 2nd story laundry room drain, instead of outside. This would have been a disaster. Now I should also mention that the inspector missed this! It was caught by my Dad during the walkthrough.

Realtor1 is right, be present and ask every question you can think of, don't leave anything to chance.

[REDVAN]

Bump... any other suggestions?

[CKPThunder]

We had a leak in a home that we were going to take possession on. The leak caused some damage to the ceiling in the basement and possibly the walls and floor in one room in the basement.

The sellers side have agreed to repair the damage and once it is complete, I will be allowed to get the area inspected. There should be a detailed report on what was done or at least that is what I have been told.

When it is time for me to get the area inspected, should I just go with a home inspector or should I get someone more specialized? If so, is there anyone you would recommend?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

No! I'd inspect the place now before they "repair" the leak. You need to understand why the leak occurred exactly and whether their actions correctly addressed the problem. You can't figure that out when they've made everything nice again. I'd try and be there as they rip stuff out to replace. They might just filler and sand stuff without addressing the root cause.

I helped a friend on a house in a similar situation last year - water was hitting the patio slab and draining towards the house and into the finished basement. They were just about to waive the inspection - thankfully they bailed. Fixing that drainage problem would have been quite expensive to do.

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

I'm another very satisfied customer of Randy @ http://www.mrhomeinspections.ca/.

+1 for Randy. Just had a home inspection with us and was fantastic. Answered every question we had (a ton) and provided practical advice on how to solve the minor issues that were found around the house. Very detailed report as well and has the thermal camera as mentioned.