There are several building inspectors who offer home inspection services in the Comox Valley, and each one of them provides an invaluable service to both owners and tenants. It is much better to know about any issues with a home or property before occupancy, because if there are any major repairs necessary, it’s going to be more difficult to get it done when you’re moved in and the furniture is already in place.

First Impression of a Home Inspection

The importance of having a thorough home inspection before moving in can hardly be overstated. In this discussion, we’ll look at the various aspects of a typical inspection and what’s involved.

The basic point of a home inspection is to ensure that a residence is truly 100% ready for occupancy. First, every home inspection must be carried out by a licensed inspector. This means that you are receiving information from a trained professional as all home inspectors are required to complete a level of education. This way, you can be confident that he/she is aware of the regulations that pertain to the dwellings in your area.

Most building inspectors prefer to begin their inspection with a ‘macro look’, which is a general, overall view of the dwelling to take in the feel of the place and what it looks like. Although there may not be any obvious problems detected during this initial impression, a trained eye is able to check for a good square presentation, possible sagging roof lines, or anything which looks obviously wrong.

Exterior Review

Next, the exterior of the home is checked in detail, specifically in the areas of the siding, the free-flowing gutters, solid roofing, a water-tight building envelope, windows, doors, and any possible entry points for moisture, which could breach the exterior and cause interior damage.

Interior Inspection

Next, the inspection moves indoors and will include the crawlspace and attic to ensure that there are no code violations, and that they are weathertight. From there, the major systems of the home must be examined and tested, so plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems are all thoroughly checked to ensure that they are working as intended, and that they will provide adequate service to residents. Safety is a big part of this aspect of the building inspection, because if any of these systems should somehow fail, it could be potentially dangerous to anyone living inside.

Final Pass

A final sweep of the interior will then be conducted to make sure that the doors and windows are all in good working order and that they mesh well with jambs. This is because doors or windows that no longer operate properly can be an indication that some settling of the building has occurred. It may be a sign that the framework has been slightly re-positioned. Any signs of moisture are also inspected during this final pass to identify the cause or entry point of the moisture.

Knowing the true condition of a building offers peace of mind for both the buyer and seller. If any issues are detected during the inspection, it can provide some points for negotiation, or a condition of sale. Knowing that all the items on the building inspection checklist come up ‘good to go’ means that the building is declared ready for occupancy.