A home inspection is an evaluation of the systems and components inside and outside a home from foundation to roof top. These include structural elements, electrical systems, heating/cooling systems, water, and waste systems.

Home inspectors further conduct a visual inspection of all accessible areas of the home and report on functionality, wear and tear, safety and maintenance.

On the part of the seller, conducting a pre-listing home inspection will hasten negotiations and hopefully result in a successful deal.

Hiring a professional to conduct home inspection services before putting your home on the market gives you the advantage of saving time and money. It will help you identify problems and have them repaired before listing your house for sale.

Providing a readily available home inspection report to a potential buyer will hasten negotiation and closing of the deal.

On the part of a home buyer, a home inspection will help you make an informed decision with regards to the property you plan to buy. An inspection works as a tool for you to validate your decision to buy the property. It will help you identify problems that may provide leeway when negotiating with the seller.

A home buyer can look at a real estate home inspection as a way to familiarize themselves with the property because a home inspection checklist contains information on locations of the house’s systems, utilities and components.

Having an inspection conducted by a qualified home inspector is a win-win deal for both home seller and buyer. For the seller, it could attract more buyers and speed up the sale of the property.

For the buyer, it could prevent him from buying a house that in the end will cost him far more in repairs.

Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety. He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail.

Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment.

For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection.

No. The home inspector will conduct the same inspection regardless of whether you are a home buyer or a home seller. It is the home inspector's responsibility to report on the home's condition no matter who has requested the inspection.

A home inspection involves an evaluation of the condition of the home's heating, central air conditioning, plumbing, electrical systems, roof, attic, floors, foundation and structure at the time of the inspection.

A home appraisal is the formal process of estimating a property's value as it relates to a mortgage loan or mortgage insurance. An appraisal does not itemize defects or reflect potential problems in the home.

• They are certified/accredited to perform quality home inspections

• They have experience in performing home inspections

• They are licensed

• They carry Errors & Omission and CGL insurance

• They have professional training and participate in ongoing training

• The franchise/company is well known

• They provide thorough and detailed reporting on site at time of inspection

• They are welcoming, professional and courteous

All Cox Creek Home Inspections employees have completed training through CARSON DUNLOP Consulting Engineers – the most respected home inspection training and educational service provider in North America.

Carson Dunlop home inspection training courses have been accredited by the National Certification Authority for 420 academic hours under the National Certification Program for home and property Inspectors in the United States.

The program has also been adopted by many community colleges and home inspection associations in Canada and the United States. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) for example, has adopted the program and named it ASHI@HOME.

The program is also recognized by the National Certification Authority for home inspectors in Canada as meeting their educational requirements.

You can rest assured that your Cox Creek inspector is fully qualified and prepared to offer you an inspection that is second to none.

You can schedule your inspection by email or call us at 416-990-4712.

You should call an inspector once you have determined that you wish to either purchase or sell a home.

A thorough home inspection includes a visual inspection of the home from the roof to the foundation.

It also includes the inspection of all major functional components and operating systems of the home.

A detailed list of items can be found on our Services page.

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A typical home inspection takes 2-3 hours depending on the size of the home. During this time, a home inspector can thoroughly inspect your home, provide you with a detailed home inspection report and answer any questions you may have.

Absolutely. An inspector has to get "up close and personal" with a roof to determine the condition of the roofing components such as shingles, flashing, chimney etc. The only time we will not go on a roof is if it is dangerous due to factors such as ice, heavy snow load or excessive slope.

A roof inspection begins from the ground with a look at the overall condition of the roof. The next step is an inspection of the shingle condition up close on a ladder from the roof edge, through dormer windows and, yes, by walking on the roof.

Another important part of a roof inspection is done from the attic. From here, leaks are often visible as is the overall condition of the structure and roof sheathing. The condition of the roof is determined by all available information.

The cost of a professional home inspection is based on the size and age of the home and sometimes its location. Details on pricing can be found on our Services page.

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The buyer should attend the home inspection so that they can get familiar with the layout and condition of the home and its components. Prior to attending the home inspection, the buyer should have a list of questions ready to ask the inspector.

A seller should prepare the home as much as possible for a thorough home inspection. The seller can follow our home inspection ready checklist to help them get prepared.

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A home inspection is not the same as a code inspection. Those code inspections either pass or fail.

The purpose of a private home inspection is to "educate the client on the condition of the home." When the building inspection process is complete, the client should have a clear understanding of the home, its components and their condition.

With this understanding, prudent decisions can be made by the client concerning repairs, replacement and maintenance and, most important of all, price.

During a home inspection, components and systems are checked at the time of the inspection. No inspection company or Inspector can guarantee that a component or system won’t fail in the future no matter how long ago that inspection took place.

If the home inspector discovers problems, it doesn't mean you should or shouldn't buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. This information is used to inform you of possible future repairs whether it be major or minor.

Cost estimates from home inspection professionals who are not in the business of making repairs or replacements themselves can be only that, estimates.

Because there are thousands of components in a home it is difficult to provide highly specific cost estimates.

For detailed estimates, the client should call licensed and qualified contractors.

The home inspector's goal is for you to have a complete understanding of your home, including the magnitude of any repair items that may need attention.

Without knowledge of the sales price, value of the home or other issues surrounding the purchase, however, the decisions about who should make repairs are best left to the client with the advice of their real estate professional or attorney.

Absolutely not. Our code of ethics clearly states that we will not offer to make repairs on items noted in the report.

Although some inspection companies may perform these services, we believe this diminishes the objectivity of the inspector and transforms the inspection process into a sales process.

If we record an issue in your home inspection report, it is because that is information the client needs to be aware of and for no other reason.

Our business relationship is with our client. Without your permission we will not produce a report for or discuss a report with any other party. However, if you wish, we will happily produce or discuss the report with any party of your choice.

The report will be emailed to the address you provide and will include the full report, the summary, pictures of many repair items and detailed information sheets concerning systems in your home.

To understand what a typical report looks like, check out this sample Home Inspection report.