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Home Inspection

Category: Real Estate

Introduction

A home inspection is an examination of the condition of a home, usually in connection with the purchase of that home.  The inspection is performed by a home inspector, a professional that has undergone training and certification in the field.

The inspector is usually hired by a home buyer to deliver a report on the home's overall condition.  The buyer then uses this report to make an informed decision on whether or not or even how to proceed with the purchase.  The point of the inspection is to avoid unpleasant surprises once the buyer has moved in to the new home.

The inspector normally examines many of the home's elements, such as the foundation, exteriors, roofing, electricity, heating, plumbing, air conditioning and others, with the goal of pointing out improper building practices, safety hazards, items requiring extensive repairs and general maintenance issues.

Canada

Most contracts to purchase a home include a contingency clause that the home must pass inspection prior to closing.  In theory, the seller is required to assure the buyer that the property does hot have any hidden defect.  The contingency clause, if added, allows the buyer to renegotiate the price, cancel the transaction or get the seller to rectify any problems brought up by the inspector.

Quebec

Unfortunately, in Quebec, there is no professional body governing building inspectors.  Moreover, they are not required to take professional courses or obtain designations in order to exercise their duties.  Therefore, when looking for one, it is best to consult your contacts for a reference.

At the very least, make sure the inspector is a member of the Quebec Association of Building Inspectors (AIBQ).

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Home inspection".  Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.