Hello,
People always ask if they need a home inspection for a brand new place. I have done enough of them to know it is a good idea to have a third pair of eyes look at the place. Typically, I will do my inspection just before the clients do their walk-thru with the builder. My inspection report will provide them with some deficiencies that the builder can repair or correct before they move in.
In a recent inspection that I did I found the following: Exterior caulking missing in some areas of the exterior siding. Downspouts not connected to underground drains (with no plans to install undergrounds drains), Exterior trim, damaged / dirty, Roof surface with minimal roof vents, loose toilet, light not working, dishwasher not secured to cabinets, Loose bathroom faucet, Shower glass leaking water onto the floor, drywall patches not finished, Radon Gas Vent not labeled and there was a large crack in the drywall bulkhead in the basement. Builder blames it on a bad drywall contractor. There were also various drywall cracks, dings and marks that already had some green painters tape on them.
These are typical things I find on new homes. In the past I have found all the toilets in the home loose, Stand alone tubs loose and not secured to the floor, leaky shower heads, Exhaust ducts in the attic not connected to the roof exhaust vents, Missing insulation on the attic, Siding missing on roof surfaces (not visible from the street), Flat Roof surfaces sloping away from drains, Hardie board flashings missing, Exterior trim not painted or missing, Sink drains leaking, cracks in concrete walkways and driveways. 
It always surprises me that builders do not a quality control person to go around and check the new homes they build.
I definitely recommend having your new home inspected. 
For the price of new homes these days you should expect perfection. 
Until next time...
Cheers

Hello everyone,
I'm excited to offer a couple of new services to my clients.
Yearly Roof inspections  with Minor Roof Maintenance. 
After 10 years of doing home inspections I continually see the same maintenance issues on roofs. Cracked shingles, unsealed nail heads, loose flashings, wasp nest in roof exhaust vents, caulking missing from rain collars and debris in roof valleys. These are all items that can lead to future roof problems if not corrected. This service will also include a visual inspection of the roof and let you know if there are any concerns that need to be repaired. This will provide you with a little piece of mind going into the winter and wetter months. Call me today if you would like your roof inspected. See pricing section for details.

The other service is Tankless Water Heater Flushing. These water heaters are becoming more and more popular with home owners. They do require a bit of maintenance every 1 to 2 years as the minerals in the water slowly build up inside the heat exchanger like they do on your shower heads and faucets. The flushing/cleaning will remove the mineral build up and help extend the life of your water heater. With my plumbing & gas certifications and several years in the plumbing industry I'm excited to offer this service to my clients. See the pricing page for details. Have a great day!!

The home inspection industry has started off to a slow start in 2023. Higher interest rates, inflation and lack of homes has slowed the housing market. It is now February and the phone has started to ring a bit more which is a good sign.
Here are some of the deficiencies I have been finding in recent inspections.
1. Home Renovations done without permits and city inspections. This has become one of the top concerns found during home inspections. If you think the home has had some renovation, have your realtor check with the local city hall and Technical Safety BC to see if permits and inspections were done.
2. Loose toilets is still a common item found during my inspections. A new house that I did had 5 loose toilets. 
3. Rodent activity in attic spaces. When was the last time you were in your attic. You should check out your attic a couple of times a year. If you see little pathways or large pathways in the insulation you most likely have rodents in your attic.
4. Old water heaters (older than 10 years). I recently found a 25 year old water heater, with no issues. They can last for years without any issues but the Home Insurance industry is dictating when water heaters should be replaced and their time frame is 10 years. 
5. Garden hoses still connected to hose bibs during the winter months. This can turn out to be a big issue. If the water that is trapped inside the hose bib body freezes it can cause the brass body to split or crack. Water will start to leak out into the exterior wall when you use the hose bib. It will stop leaking when you shut the water off. Have a plumber check out the hose bib with a pressure gauge to find out if it is damaged.

If you need help with a home inspection I would love to help you out.
​Give me a call. 250.870.8340