9 reasons to hire a home inspector

For most Canadians, buying a home can feel like a dream come true. But if the property you choose ends up having any hidden – and unexpectedly pricey – surprises you weren’t counting on, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.

That’s where hiring a home inspector can be worth its weight in gold. Having an experienced, certified and professional home inspector thoroughly examine any property you’re seriously considering buying will not only help you make an informed decision. It can also protect your family, your peace of mind, and your investment.

Whether you’re actively looking to buy a home or just thinking about getting into the market, here are nine reasons to hire a home inspector before you close the deal.

1. Uncover any hidden defects

A top-to-bottom inspection can uncover hidden or hard-to-spot defects in a home’s mechanical, structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, foundation and other systems that could pose serious (and seriously expensive) problems down the road.

2. Benefit from objective expert advice

A certified home inspector is a source of objective, impartial and independent expert advice who you can trust to tell you the truth, the whole truth, and only the truth about the property you’re about to call home.

3. Get a sense of future maintenance costs

Many home inspectors include a maintenance “user’s manual” in their report that outlines the property’s likely repair timeframes, future maintenance and upkeep requirements, and the replacement lifespans for major mechanical items like the furnace, roof, hot water tank or heat pump.

4. Improve your bargaining power

Having an objective assessment from a certified home inspector can dramatically improve your negotiating power at the bargaining table, giving you an opportunity to negotiate a lower price, ask for certain repairs to be made – or even potentially walk away from the deal if some truly significant problems are uncovered.

5. Insure your property more easily

Many insurance companies in Canada are reluctant to offer coverage for – or might even outright refuse to insure – older homes without proof of a professional home inspection.

6. Finalize your mortgage financing

Similarly, some mortgage lenders might refuse to provide financing for properties that they suspect may have serious structural or safety issues without a professional inspection report.

7. Make your move a lot less stressful

Moving can be stressful enough without having to worry that your brand new home might spring a leak, need a big mechanical replacement, or require sudden repairs or renovations before you’re even unpacked.

8. Keep your family safe

In addition to flagging structural and mechanical issues, home inspectors can also test for health and safety issues like a home’s fire separations, indoor air quality concerns, gas leaks, faulty wiring and carbon monoxide hazards.

9. Save money

The bottom line is, while having a home inspected may cost a little more upfront, it could save you hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected problems or repairs over the lifetime of the home.

Find out more

To find a qualified home inspector near you, visit the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI) or Home Inspectors Association BC (HIABC) websites, ask your REALTOR® for advice, or contact usto schedule a free consultation.