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FAQs
At AT HOME & PLAY INSPECTIONS INC. we do our best to answer all of your questions. Below you will find a list of what we believe are the most frequently asked questions. If you have any questions that have not been answered below, do not hesistate to contact us.
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A typical inspection should take 2 to 3 hours to complete. This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, we recommend that they be informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.
Preferred methods include cash, cheque or etransfer. Paypal can be arranged ahead of time and therefore credit card can be accommodated. We strive to keep our fees economical and fees for credit cards and debit will drive these higher.
We inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior. Our goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical buyer's decision to purchase.
Our typical fee for an inspection is $325 for a home, $175 for an apartment. However, some factors will affect the fee; age of the home (more than 50 years?) and physical size (EG: over 1500 sq ft). If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the deciding factor unless the level of service offered is identical. Remember, you are considering a major purchase and your choice of home inspector should be based on getting the best value, not just the best price. Payment of fee is required at the end of the inspection by cheque, cash, etransfer or Paypal unless negotiated to be a defered Pre Listing inspection.
- Complete home inspection conducted by an experienced professional.
- Comprehensive written home inspection report.
- Technical support for as long as you own your home.
Definitely. We encourage you to attend. The inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers.'
You don't have to take notes during the inspection. We will document everything in a written report, that will be provided to you before we complete the inspection so you will have the information to base your purchase decision on before we leave one another. It's much better to follow the inspector through, listening to his comments to make sure you understand. It's also a great opportunity to ask questions and to clarify anything that confuses you.
Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home. You should also feel free to stop the inspector and ask questions as you go. If the inspector's comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for further explanation.
You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 2 1/2 hours walking through the home with the inspector. You won't have to climb on the roof or go into the attic, so your clothes won't get dirty.
We recommend that you not bring your family or a group of possible contractors, make another appointment for another time this is a technical evaluation, and you should focus on the inspector's comments - the fewer distractions, the better.
You do receive a written report. It would be unfair to ask you to remember all of the things we cover during a home inspection. The report includes a summary of the condition of the home and details on all the major systems of the home. It is prepared and delivered on site at the end of the inspection. We can also prepeare and deliver electronically if preferred to reduce the contact and transmission possibilities.
No. Our goal is to report on the condition of the house, indicating potential repairs and expenses. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not you buy the house. The home inspection is very important but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Only you know all of the factors at play.
A home inspection is a professional opinion based on less-than-complete information. It's a little like getting a check-up from your doctor: It improves your odds of good health but there is no guarantee or warranty.
Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house - they cannot be discovered during a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak when people use the shower but don't leak when you simply turn on the shower. Some roofs and basements only leak when specific weather conditions exist. Some problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved or finishes are removed. As such, we cannot and do not offer a warranty on the house.
Home warranty programs are available from others. We would be happy to help you contact a warranty company.
We currently have 1 full-time professional available to perform inspections supported by a network of other like minded professionals to assist or fill in as the need arises. All of our inspectors have extensive backgrounds and experience in construction and inspection.
Our inspectors are graduates of the Carson Dunlop & WETT (Wood Energy Transfer Technology) programmes, also the Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre and have excellent communication skills and their "hands-on" experience.
Our inspectors also keep their skills current with continuing education programs both through the company and on their own.
Our inspectors are members of The Professional Home and Property Inspectors of Canada, The Canadian Association of Playground Practitioners and Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program.
Our team of inspectors is ready to serve you quickly. However, when the sale of a home is conditional on the results of a home inspection, we recommend that you allow at least three days to arrange for a home inspection.