Buying a home could be the single most significant financial commitment, you will ever make. It’s important to know exactly what you’re getting into before you sign a contract. Understanding what is involved in the inspection process before hiring an inspector is very important and that’s where I come in. My services are designed to give you a thorough and accurate description of your potential new home’s condition, so that you can make an educated and wise decision before you make the purchase.

Outlined below is typical of what the services property inspectors perform and what you should expect when hiring an inspector.

  • Pre-purchase inspection
  • Make an educated and informed decision
  • Eliminate the surprises.

A pre-purchase visual home inspection is one of the single most powerful tools when purchasing your new home. A home inspection prior to purchasing gives you some of the most important information needed to protect you and your family. Not understanding the true condition of your potential purchase can cost you thousands of dollars, not to mention countless hours of your time. Regardless, an inspection can uncover a major defect or regular needed repairs or maintenance.

I can alert you of red flags and safety issues. It makes sense to have an independent review done on your behalf so you have a clear picture.

Pre-Sale Inspection
Let’s eliminate any surprises and make this a smooth transaction with great selling points. Pre-listing inspections make your home easier and faster to sell. An inspection can prevent surprises from popping up at closing time and provide prospective buyers with an atmosphere of good faith and confidence. By knowing about problems in advance, you can then decide if you wish to fix the problems or disclose them to the buyer.

Specific Issues or Partial Inspection
Leaky roof or basement? Mould in the attic? Renovating?psd_8
When is a full inspection is not necessary ? I can customize this service and pricing to accommodate your needs. Taking photos and documenting the specific issue is often necessary for warranty and insurance claims.

New Home Construction Inspection (Not Yet Built)
As a home inspector, I am prepared to oversee the construction process of your new home for the four distinct phases of construction. I will do my best to advise you, if the quality of home construction that you paid for, isn’t what you are actually receiving from your builder.

I will also advise you of my findings after each visitation by telephone or E-mail. Interim reporting will advise clients of any major areas of concern (structural issues, missing components, poor quality craftsmanship etc.). I will monitor the progress of any corrections or alterations requested to the builder. Generally a complete service involves four site visitations. Clients will also be provided with photographic records of my findings. It is the client’s responsibility to advise the inspector when their property is ready for the next stage of an inspection.

Hire my services for a four-stage inspection to protect your investment

  • Foundation inspection before backfill (if possible).
  • Framing inspection (before drywall and insulation installation).
  • Insulation and vapour barrier inspection before drywall.
  • Final inspection before taking possession (PDI).

Bring your camera, pen and notebook at this last and final inspection.

(PDI) Pre-Delivery Inspection (before signing)
Most homeowners can easily identify the cosmetic deficiencies. It takes a professional who is familiar with all the systems to find the rest. By having a new home inspected, the opportunity exists to learn as much as you can about the house and how to look after it before you buy it. I can point out known problem areas and suggest maintenance practices which will reduce or eliminate most problems before they can start (such as hot water supplied to toilets or forgotten insulation in the attic, etc.).

Before you take possession of your new home, your builder will schedule a mandatory pre-delivery inspection (PDI) where their representative will walk you through and identify any damaged, incomplete or missed items, as well as anything that is not operating properly. With my help, I will ensure that your builder representative, records these conditions on the PDI form to verify that they existed prior to occupancy.

psd_10New Home Warranty Inspection
Make sure you have me look at your home before your new home warranty expires.
I will examine your home’s structure, mechanical, electrical systems and more, to identify defects and other problems. I will make sure that your home was built to proper construction standards.

  • Thirty Day: The 30-Day inspection, is used to document any deficiencies noted on your PDI that were not completed by your move in date, and to include any new deficiencies that are now present. This form must be submitted to Tarion or Abritat, 30 days before your closing date in order to be considered.
  • One Year: The Year-End inspection is probably the most important. This is your last opportunity to make claims related to deficiencies covered by the One Year Warranty. This form must be submitted to Tarion or Abritat within the last 30 days leading up to your first-year anniversary of the date of closing.
  • Five Years: If desired, an inspection before the end of the five-year warranty is also available. Some homeowners also have their place inspected so they can get any defects fixed under their new home warranty before it runs out.The time to involve a qualified home inspector is for the thirty-day report and a month before the one-year anniversary.

Relocation Inspection
I am pleased and honoured to provide my services to Federal Public Service, Canadian Forces, and RCMP personnel and families moving to Ottawa or the Outaouais region, under the Integrated Relocation Program (IRP) as administered by Brookfield Global Relocation Services.

Look for me, Daniel Ricard “DR Home Inspections”. Hire a professional third party to help look after your best interest.