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Professional Home Inspections - Serving Ottawa and Surrounding Areas

How to find a good Inspector

After you have found your dream home, require more information about the home you are preparing to sell, or require maintenance information about your current home, there are several things to consider when searching for a good home inspector.

Consider the following questions when searching for your Home Inspector.

1. How many homes do they inspect each year?

  • This may seem like an odd question. Most people will want to ask "How long have you been a Home Inspector?" or "How many inspections have you done?" Asking how many they perform each year will tell you if this is a full or part time job. If they answer under 100 a year, they are part time or they are having difficulty getting work. Over 250 a year is a successful inspector working full time.
  • HomePro Inspectors performed over 600 inspections in 2007 between 2 Inspectors in Ottawa. HomePro Inspections has been performing inspections in Ottawa for over 10 years.

2. How long does a typical inspection last?

  • If you receive an answer to this question as anything under 2 hours, you should go on to the next inspector. The amount of time it takes for a typical inspection can range anywhere from 2 to 3 hours depending on the size and complexity of the home. It also depends on the interest level of the buyer. The only time an inspection should take less than 2 hours would be for a small condo in a high rise building.
  • HomePro Inspections average out to 2 and a half hours. However, if it is a complex or large building, or there are many issues it can take over 3 hours. Our inspectors do not end any inspection before they and their client are satisfied that it is as complete as possible.

3. Are they a member of any Home Inspector associations?

  • There are several associations that Home Inspectors may join. Some of these require only taking a 3 hour test on a web site to become "Certified". However, there are 2 associations that are recognized by the CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation). These are O.A.H.I. (Ontario Association of Home Inspectors) and C.A.H.P.I. (Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors). You can read more about these associations by clicking on the link at the left of this page.
  • HomePro Inspectors are members of both O.A.H.I. and C.A.H.P.I.

4. Do they hold the  R.H.I. designation?

  • The Registered Home Inspector designation is the highest designation in Ontario. This designation is available only to Home Inspectors who are members of O.A.H.I. (or other provincial associations. You can read more about these designations by clicking the link at the right of this page.
  • HomePro Inspectors are accredited with the R.H.I. designation. Click here to see if your inspector is a Registered Home Inspector.

5. Do they hold the  National Certificate Holder designation?

  • The National Certificate Holder designation is the highest designation in Canada. This designation is available only to Home Inspectors who are members of C.A.H.P.I. You can read more about these designations by clicking the link at the right of this page.
  • HomePro Inspectors are accredited with the National Certificate Holder designation. Click here to see if your inspector is a National Certificate Holder.

6. Do they carry Errors and Omissions insurance?

  • Errors and Omissions insurance is a very costly insurance that only some inspectors carry. This insurance assures you that if a major problem arises in your home, and the inspector is found at fault for missing that item, the inspector will have insurance to cover any associated costs.
  • All HomePro Inspectors carry Errors and Omissions as well as liability insurance.

7. When will you receive your completed inspection report?

  • There are many different reporting systems available for home inspections. These range from hand written reports on a single page, to reported printed out on-site, to reports that you must download from a web page the next day, to full binders which contain hundreds of pages of useful information.
  • HomePro Inspections uses the "HomeBook" reporting system. This is a 500+ page book which contains detailed information on all issues as well as information on proper maintenance of your home. It is essentially becomes the manual for your home. You will receive your completed report at the end of the inspection. Please see the link at the top of this page "Report" for detailed information.

8. Will they allow you to follow them during the inspection?

  • Some inspectors do not feel comfortable having someone follow them around and ask questions while they are performing the inspection. These inspectors should be avoided. How can you possibly get the information you need if you are not allowed to participate in the inspection?
  • At HomePro Inspections, we encourage our clients to be a part of the inspection by following us during the inspection so they can learn about the house and it's components. Feel free to come with a list of questions to discuss while the inspection is performed.

9. Are you allowed to call you with questions in the future?

  • Some Home Inspectors may not want to have you calling them with questions after they have completed your inspection.
  • At Homepro, we provide free telephone support after your inspection for as long as you own the home. Our customer service and support does not stop after we have cashed your cheque.