Why YOU Need a Home Inspection

Why YOU Need a Home Inspection:

If you are like most people, buying your first home has been a lifelong cherished dream. After much searching, you have finally stumbled onto a property that looks like your dream could very well become a reality. But wait! Before you seal the deal, you simply must invest in a home inspection. Here’s why! What

January 20, 2014

What can a home inspection do for me?

A home inspection is the only way you can truly determine the physical and functional state of your potential property. An untrained eye can be easily deceived by a clever paint job or overlook seemingly minor structural flaws that actually disguise greater defects. What could be worse than moving into your new home only to discover a laundry list of repairs that still need to be done!

With a thorough home inspection, you will receive a report of the status quo of your potential property. With this knowledge, you can have the tools that you need to negotiate the price with the seller or to request that repairs be done prior to move-in. After all, no one likes unexpected surprises! With a home inspection, you can know exactly what you are getting into before you move in!

The house is brand new and I can't wait to move in! Do I still need a home inspection?

Good question! Prospective buyers may enter a real estate transaction with the false sense of security that a newly built house can have no problems.

No matter what the age of a property, a home inspection is a necessity that simply cannot be overemphasized. A newly constructed house may boast a pristine appearance but looks can be deceiving. Such a property will tell you nothing about the durability and lifetime of its various structural components.

This is where a professional home inspector can point out existing deficiencies or even problems waiting to happen. A comprehensive report will thoroughly acquaint you with your future property, both inside and out. After all, no house is just a house. It is your home!

I'm sold. But wait a minute: I'm pretty good with construction and I've been around houses a long time already. Can't I just do this on my own and save a few bucks?

Just as with any trade, home inspection is an intricate craft that requires both training and experience to master. AllMax home inspectors hold themselves to the highest standard of excellence and continually upgrade their skills and knowledge by keeping up with changing housing rules and regulations and the latest technology.

While we agree that you may be able to independently uncover one or two problems with your future property, this will not assure you the peace of mind that you need to move in. A reliable home inspection that you can trust requires the experience and skills of a professional to scrutinize your potential property. A one-time investment in a home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in future repairs and upgrades!

AllMax home inspectors have been transforming houses into homes over an extensive period of time. You too can trust us with yours.

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AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED

The inspection of the Building or Property by AllMax Home & Property Inspections is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations stated below.

The report, issued by the inspector, is prepared with reasonable skill and care. This consulting service is limited to the physical evidence that was visually accessible at the time of inspection.

The required repairs to the building include, but are not limited to, what is reported herein due to the limitations and restrictive nature of the visual inspection. The client is hereby warned that not all deficiencies will be discovered. 80% of the first year repairs should be revealed; not 100%. The inspection report is an opinion of the present condition of the property. It is based on a visual examination of the readily accessible features of the building. A Home Inspection does not include identifying defects that are hidden behind walls, floors or ceilings. This includes wiring, heating, cooling, structure, plumbing and insulation that are hidden or inaccessible. Some intermittent problems may not be obvious on a Home Inspection because they only happen under certain circumstances. As an example, your Home Inspector may not discover leaks that occur only during certain weather conditions or when a specific tap or appliance is being used in everyday life.

Unless specifically requesting this service the determining the presence of mold, fungi , asbestos and other indoor air quality contaminants are specifically not included in the standard home inspection.

The inspector’s role is principally educational; to provide you with a better understanding of the building.

The inspection is designed to give factual statements of the property’s current and present condition. No personal opinions will be provided regarding value or worthiness of the purchase.

This inspection and /or report are not a guarantee, warranty or insurance policy of any kind. The main objective of the inspection / consultation service is to provide you with a better understanding of the observed condition of the building / property. We caution you that we will not be able to detect all deficiencies or shortcomings with the house due to the restrictiveness of a visual inspection. As such AllMax will not assume your risk associated with buying a “used” house or with the future performance of the house.

Cost estimates, if provided in this report, are minimums and are intended to be a rough guideline only. Estimates are based on the most cost effective solution to address the problem and will not include betterment. If a quotation and/or further assessment is required, the Client agrees to request this from the appropriate specialist prior to finalizing the purchase.

The inspection does not cover code compliance issues set by governments or other regulatory authorities.

The inspection does not take into account eligibility for mortgage insurance, building or home owners insurance.

The purchaser is advised to ask the property owner in writing if they are unaware of any defects that would not normally be detected by a visual inspection.

All booked inspections are subject to a 50% cancellation fee, should formal written notice of cancellation not be received within 48 hrs prior to the confirmed / scheduled appointment.

SCOPE & LIMITATIONS

The report is intended only as a general guide to help the client make their own evaluation of the overall condition of the home, based on their own personal preferences and expectations. It is not intended to reflect the value of the premises, nor make any representation as to the advisability of purchase. The report expresses the personal opinions of the inspector, based upon his visual impressions of the conditions that existed at the time of the inspection only. The inspection and report are not intended to be technically exhaustive, or to imply that every component was inspected, or that every possible defect was discovered. The fee charged for this general inspection is less than that of a technically exhaustive inspection, which would involve a number of specialists, a longer inspection time and a significant increase in the cost of the inspection. If the client requires AllMax Home and Property to proceed with a more comprehensive inspection, the client would be required to pay additional fees for those services with the appropriate specialists, independently of this agreement. In order to prevent potential property damage on the premises and personal injury to the inspector, the inspection will not turn power and gas or on/off, disassemble equipment, move furniture, appliances and stored items, excavate the grounds, or board roof surfaces. Excluded from the report are all components and conditions which by the nature of their location are concealed, such as behind walls, camouflaged or difficult to inspect. Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house and cannot be detected during a few hours of a home inspection. A roof, foundation or shower enclosure leak, for example, may only occur during specific conditions (water running for at least 5 minutes, wind driven/heavy rain, etc.). For these reasons, the client or their representative must obtain prior to completing the purchase agreement, a legal disclosure from the vendor regarding their knowledge of any history of leakage or major structural and electrical modifications during or prior to their possession of the inspected property. Confirmation of environmental hazards is beyond the expertise and scope of a professional home inspection. Some of these conditions include, but are not limited to: formaldehyde, lead paint, asbestos, toxic or flammable materials, soil contamination, mould or mildew, and underground fuel oil storage tanks. If, while inspecting the home, a condition is observed which is suspected to be an environmental hazard, we will make every effort to bring this to your attention as a courtesy to you. We therefore will not accept responsibility or liability for any environmental hazards or issues that are discovered after the inspection, whether they are concealed or in plain view. If your inspector identifies any concerns or if you have any concerns yourself about potential environmental hazards, it is your responsibility to engage the services of a qualified environmental specialist to provide a full environmental of the house and property before proceeding with the purchase of the home. Other systems and conditions which are not within the scope of the building inspection include, but are not limited to: pest infestation, playground equipment, efficiency measurement of insulation or heating and cooling equipment;internal or underground drainage or plumbing, water treatment systems, swimming pools, hot tubs, septic systems, sprinkler systems and any systems which are shut down or otherwise secured; water well quality, quantity or zoning ordinances; intercoms and security systems; heat sensors; or cosmetics. Any general comments about these systems and conditions are informational only and do not represent an inspection.

Testing of household appliances are not within the standards of practice of a home inspection.

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