The Following Services Are Offered
Home Inspection
Home Energy Audit
Air Leakage Testing
Infrared Imaging
What is a buyer's home inspection? It is a visual inspection of the structure and components of a home to find items that are not 
performing correctly or items that are unsafe. If a problem or a symptom of a problem is found the home inspector will include a description of the problem in a written report and may recommend further evaluation.
Why is a home inspection important?
Buying a home is more than likely the greatest investment you will ever make. A home inspection can help you identify those major defects which will end up costing you 10's of thousands of dollars in unexpected additional costs.
What if the report reveals problems?
If the inspector finds fault in a home it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it, only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to renegotiate the purchase price because of significant problems discovered in an inspection. If your budget is very tight, or if you don't wish to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the house for you. The choice is yours. Our goal at A Home Check is to make sure you are aware of all issues, big and small, before you sign on the dotted line.
What to Do / Expect During your Inspection
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Faq's
Can I Inspect The Building Myself?
Even the most experienced home owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional inspector who inspects homes on a daily basis. An inspector is equally familiar with the critical elements of construction and with the proper installation, maintenance and inter-relationships of these elements. Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the building they really want, and this may lead to a poor assessment.
Should I Attend The Inspection?
It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is a good idea. By following the inspector through the inspection, observing and asking questions, you will learn about the new building and get some tips on general maintenance. Information that will be of great help to you after you have moved in.
It’s Brand New…What Could be Wrong?
It is not good business to forego a home inspection on a newly constructed house, regardless of how conscientious and reputable your home builder.
No home, regardless of how well it is constructed, is totally free of defects. The construction of a house involves thousands of details, performed at the hands of scores of individuals. No general contractor can possibly oversee every one of these elements, and the very nature of human fallibility dictates that some mistakes and oversights will occur, even when the most talented and best-intentioned trades people are involved. It is also an unfortunate aspect of modern times that some builders/developers do not stand behind their workmanship and may not return to fix or replace defective components installed after the sale is complete.
Do you do repairs or recommend contractors?
No. We specialize in building inspections. We consider it a conflict of interest for a building inspector to recommend or refer a contractor to perform repairs. We offer an unbiased opinion on the condition of the home. We accept no referral fees from anyone.
Can we ask you questions after the inspection?
Certainly. We would be glad to answer any questions you might have after the building inspection or even after you move in to your new home for as long as you own it.
Can a home fail inspection?
No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what may need repair or replacement.
How long will the inspection be?
An average inspection will take about 2 hours.
Do you provide a written report?
Yes. Our electronic report is ready for you within 24 hours upon completion of the home inspection. At A Home Check we do not rush through our reports just so it can be presented to you within 15 minutes after the inspection, this often leads to sloppy and incomplete reports. At A Home Check we strive to provide you with a clear and comprehensive report complete with digital photos.
How can I reduce the radon levels in an existing house?
Radon levels in a house can be reduced. This can be done by several methods, but one of the most widely used methods is the active sub-slab depressurization system. This technique will reroute the radon gas from the soil away from the house, by venting the soil gas from beneath the basement to a point above the roof. This technique is very effective and will typically cost between $1600 and $2500 to install.
Defect Examples
Furnace Exhaust
This furnace exhaust is too close to the ground. This vent could easily be blocked by snow, leaves or other debris. Possibly causing dangerous gases to back up into the home.
Plumbing waste pipe
This cast iron pipe is corroding from the inside out. Although there is no evidence that the pipe is actively leaking at this tim, it should be considered at the end of its useful life and therefore should be replaced.
Ceiling Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a mica-like mineral mined around the world and used in a variety of commercial and consumer products because it is fire-resistant and has good insulation qualities. Of concern is vermiculite ore produced by the Libby Mine in Montana from the 1920's to 1990. It was sold as Zonolite® Attic Insulation and possibly other brands in Canada during that time. Vermiculite from the Libby Mine may contain amphibole asbestos. The Libby Mine supplied the majority of the world market in vermiculite-based insulation.
Products made from vermiculite ore produced by the Libby Mine were not widely used after the mid-1980's and have not been on the market in Canada since 1990. Not all vermiculite produced before 1990 contains amphibole asbestos fibres. However, to be safe and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is reasonable to assume that if your building has older vermiculite-based insulation, it may contain some amphibole asbestos.
As per Health Canada , there is currently no evidence of risk to your health if the insulation is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards, isolated in an attic, or otherwise kept from exposure to the interior environment.
Floor joist
The I beam in this photo has been cut to make way for a 4 inch plumbing waste pipe. This beam is now useless and the structure of the floor above has been compromised.
The dryer exhaust in this picture has been connected to the hot water tank exhaust. Not only is this not correct but it is also very dangerous.
The dryer exhaust system must be independent of all other systems and convey the moisture and any products of combustion to the outside of the home. The duct must not exhaust to attics, crawl spaces, basements, chimneys, and the cavity of any wall or any interior room.
