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The importance of a pre-purchase home inspection

(Condo, maison, immeuble multiplex)

Pour plusieurs personnes, l’acquisition d’une propriété représente une étape cruciale de leur vie. Cela symbolise la concrétisation de leurs efforts et de leurs rêves, ainsi qu’une nouvelle aventure qui commence. Toutefois, il convient de rappeler que l’achat d’une propriété doit être considéré avec sérieux et que cela commence par l’inspection minutieuse de l’état actuel de votre maison.

La couleur les murs, le revêtement de la salle de bain, les comptoirs ou les luminaires sont des éléments qui peuvent être remplacés avec quelques rénovations mineures. Toutefois, plusieurs éléments majeurs sont importants à faire inspecter afin d’éviter des problèmes potentiels très couteux tels qu’une toiture mal entretenue, une infiltration d’eau dans la fondation, de la moisissure au grenier, problème d’humidité, etc.). C’est pourquoi faire une inspection préachat est fortement recommandé. De cette façon, vous saurez exactement si la maison comporte des problèmes ou si vous devrez faire d’éventuels changements importants.

For many people, buying a home is a crucial step in their lives. It symbolizes the realization of their efforts and dreams, as well as the beginning of a new adventure. However, it is worth remembering that buying a property should be taken seriously, and it starts with a thorough inspection of the current condition of the home.

Colour, walls, bathrooms, countertops or light fixtures are elements that can be replaced with some minor renovations. However, several major elements are important to inspect in order to avoid potential costly problems such as a poorly maintained roof, water infiltration in the foundation, mold in the attic, humidity problems, etc.). This is why doing a pre-purchase inspection is highly recommended. This way, you will know exactly if there are any problems with the house or if you need to make any significant modifications.

A residential inspection: Did you know?

One of the key benefits of conducting a pre-purchase inspection is that it allows the buyer to ask the seller to correct any issues identified before taking possession. If the seller refuses to pay for these repairs, it is possible to negotiate the sale price to account for future repair costs.

Thermographic inspection

Now that you understand the importance of a pre-purchase home inspection, it is time to choose your inspector. There are several types of inspectors and it is up to you to choose who will best be able to inspect your future home. The Canadian Thermography Center guarantees a thorough, meticulous inspection carried out by competent professionals. The inspection will be carried out according to the rules of the art and you will gain peace of mind regarding possible issues such as water infiltration, mold, cracks in the foundation etc. Choosing to hire trusted, reliable and specialized professionals will certainly help you alleviate stress about this crucial step. In addition, a detailed report will be provided to you at the end of the inspection, detailing all the problems detected, the structures analyzed as well as recommendations on how to proceed for the rest of the process.

Home inspection checklist

  1. Building envelope (exterior structure, crawl space, roof, gaskets around patio doors, etc.)
  2. The foundation (cracks if visible, sediment, signs of aging, etc.)
  3. Land grading (assessment of the risk of water damage due to the slope of the land)
  4. Roofing (the age of the roof, its condition, potential water damage, cracks, joints around air vents, condition of gutters, etc.)
  5. The garage (garage door, door frame, risk of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, hot water tank if located in the garage, etc.)
  6. Plumbing (possible leaks from toilets, faucets and showers, age/condition of pipes and ducts, etc.)
  7. Electricity (condition of RCDs, checking outlets and RCDs, condition of the electrical panel to eliminate potential fire hazards, etc.)
  8. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (get an overview of your energy bills, the age/condition of heating appliances and air conditioners, potential water leaks, condition of insulation, presence of asbestos or other, etc.)

What a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection Doesn’t Reveal

Home inspections are a good way to get an overall picture of the current condition of the desired property. However, inspections do not reveal all possible problems, including any issues with the structure of the house itself. The inspector is not able to look inside walls, pipes and ducts, the chimney or behind the electrical panel.

However, a thermographic inspection will allow us to see if a water leak has seeped into the structure of the property, thanks to our infrared cameras. In addition, it is possible to see if there is heat loss somewhere; in other words, an insulation problem. The thermographic inspection also allows us to see if there is mold build-up in the walls, etc.

By choosing a thermography inspector, you make visible what is invisible to the naked eye. Do not hesitate to contact one of our thermography experts to learn more about our services and to schedule your home inspection.

After the inspection

Once the property has been inspected, you will be provided with a detailed report, mentioning any problems detected as well as our professional conclusions. As this is a major decision, take the time to gather all the relevant information in order to make your final decision. Afterwards, it will be with full knowledge of the facts, that you will be able to make a final decision about the purchase of the property.

Today’s real estate market requires you to be quick. However, do not skip the pre-purchase home inspection. While this inspection can delay the sales process by a few days, it can also save you considerable amounts of money in terms of costs related to potential repairs.

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