Home Inspection Tips

The average deck in Canada today is 10 years old, but many homeowners admit they’ve never had a full deck inspection. Meanwhile, professional deck repairs can cost you up to $3,000! Since a large percentage of deck collapses can be avoided with regular check-ups, we’ve prepared a handy checklist to see how safe and sound your deck really is. We’ll also tell you when to plan for a professional deck inspection.   Deck Inspection Checklist As a homeowner, you can inspect key deck components tha...

Chimney inspection costs in Canada aren’t uniform. The national average hovers around $450, but there are significant differences depending on your province and the level of inspection required. Here we'll break down the price range for inspection levels 1 through 3 and find out what other factors affect the total cost. How Much Does a Chimney Inspection Cost? Chimney inspection costs in Canada vary depending on the region, type of inspection, chimney specifics, and extra services. In general...

Window inspection is rarely conducted alone, and it’s usually a part of a home inspection. But that doesn’t mean you have to go through that process just to find out whether your windows need a professional or not. Using the following window inspection checklist, you can examine windows like a pro and fix minor issues. We’ll also tell you when to call an expert and who should pay for necessary repairs. What You Need for a Window Inspection Window inspection is quick and easy, and you can do i...

The living room is where we spend about 50% of our awake time, and for our guests, it’s close to 100%. That may be why homebuyers prefer to have their own living room inspection when checking out a new house. In this post, you’ll find a handy living room inspection checklist for viewing a house for the first time, along with helpful questions to ask when accompanying an inspector in this area. Let’s begin. What Is a Living Room Inspection? Let’s start with the basics: what’s a living room ins...

Gas leaks are invisible, silent, and potentially catastrophic. Besides, it’s not the only problem that can affect the gas system. A gas pressure test inspection examines this complex network top to bottom to ensure its safety and integrity. Keep reading to learn about this inspection and its process, and when it’s absolutely necessary to contact a reliable inspector. What Is a Gas Pressure Test Inspection? A gas pressure test inspection ensures your house’s gas line pipes, joints, fittings, a...

According to recent reports, Canadians paid about 3 billion dollars for sewer line repairs in 2023. A whopping number that could increase significantly with sewer line camera inspection. That’s why today we’re exploring everything you need to know about sewer camera inspection, from signs that signal scheduling an inspection to what to do if minor/major issues are revealed. Let’s start with the basics. What Is a Sewer Line Camera Inspection? A sewer line camera inspection uses a waterproof vi...

With foundation repairs costing up to $50,000, one timely inspection can save you a fortune. In this guide, we’ll explore the foundation inspection cost across Canada, factors that increase/decrease it directly, and how to avoid unnecessary fees. How Much Does a Foundation Inspection Cost? The cost of a foundation inspection ranges from $300 to $1,000 or more (depending on the factors discussed below). However, typical residential foundation inspections cost $600 on average. Factors Affecting...

The modern home seller is proactive, informed, and doesn’t mind buyer inspections. How? with a home inspection checklist for sellers. Let’s see what this checklist includes and how it paves the way for a smooth sale. Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers Here’s an easy-to-follow home inspection checklist for sellers focusing on basic observation: Exterior Inspection Roof: Look for curled, missing, or broken shingles. See if the rooflines are uneven, and make sure there’s no sign of leak...

Compared to other home inspection checklists that are tailored for specific purposes (e.g. safety, long-term maintenance), a pre-home inspection checklist before buying focuses on finding issues that may affect the ultimate decision: to purchase or not purchase. Let’s explore what a buyer's home inspection checklist covers, what should be prioritized, and how it gets you closer to your dream home. Pre-home Inspection Checklist Before Buying, What Does It Cover? Here’s a checklist of key areas...

While most buyers chase overpriced listings, savvy investors are enjoying 20-40% discounts through buying foreclosed homes. Could your dream house be hiding in Canada’s ‘power of sale’ market? To find the answer, let’s review the pros and cons of buying a foreclosed home and the process that might await you. What Is a Foreclosure? Foreclosure is the legal process where a lender takes possession of a property because the borrower couldn’t meet their mortgage payment obligations. Foreclosures...