Home Inspection Articles

We’d like to encourage Home Inspectors from all over to join us for The Carson Dunlop Conference: What Home Inspectors Need to Know. Come to Toronto for a great weekend on all things Home Inspection on March 1 & 2, 2014.

Education sessions and continuing education credits, engaging topics, and valuable networking opportunities makes this a must-attend event for experienced inspectors, new inspectors, and students.

Speakers Include:

• Alan Carson - President, Carson Dunlop
• Graham Clarke - VP of Engineering, Carson Dunlop
• Richard Weldon - President, CDW Engineering
• Alden Gibson - Lead Inspector, Inspections by Gibson
• Bob Thoburn - Director, Builder Relations at Tarion Warranty Company

>> We're also having a Horizon Training Event for new and advanced users on February 28, 2014.

>> CDW Engineering will be holding their renowned Commercial Inspection Course on March 3-5, 2014.

PRICING  

 *Early bird offer available when you register before January 31, 2014.

To learn more and register please call 800-268-7070, email info@carsondunlop.com, or download our registration form.

Home Inspections are a fairly new piece of the real estate puzzle. Unheard of in Canada prior to the mid-1970s, this consulting service is now a standard part of most real estate transactions. However, its relative newness, combined with the fickle nature of the housing market and the dramatic commentary on some home improvement television programs, makes it an often misunderstood entity.

While homeowners recognize the importance of a Home Inspection, few are familiar with the details – including what is involved and how it works. There are several misconceptions and we’ll look at our top five here.

1. Exclusively for Home Buyers

Home Inspections are not just for home buyers; they actually make great sense for sellers. We have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of Sellers’ Home Inspections in the last few years. In 2011, 22% of all Carson Dunlop inspections were Sellers’ Home Inspections. In 2012, that jumped to 27%. During the spring and fall markets, up to 40% of inspections completed are for sellers.

Sellers’ Home Inspections work for both sellers and buyers. They help the process in many ways, resulting in faster sales, increased comfort levels, fewer renegotiations, reduced uncertainty and lower liability. To learn more about the benefits of having a Sellers’ Home Inspection, please click here.

2. Only Needed for Older Homes

Many feel that Home Inspections are only valuable for older homes. However, when it comes to homes, age is just a number. Newer properties often have problems, frequently the result of original construction issues or neglected maintenance. Home Inspectors provide significant value for new homes – including assistance with Tarion Warranties. It is important not to judge a book by its cover; Home Inspectors see beyond the aesthetics of a new home. To learn more about New Construction Home Inspections please click here.

3. You need a PhD to Understand Your Report

Inspection reports don’t have to be complicated. They don’t have to include technical jargon, complex symbols and legends, illegible handwriting, or indecipherable notes. Many inspectors provide an easy-to-read electronic report that includes photos and illustrations and ballpark costs to address issues. Our reports are delivered the same day the inspection occurs. They include not only the information needed to make a buying decision, but great advice for the long term, helping you protect what may be your largest investment. To view a sample of a Carson Dunlop Home Inspection report, please click here.

4. Take Place Monday through Friday

The world of real estate does not operate on a Monday to Friday, 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do Home Inspectors. Our goal is to meet our clients’ needs, so we perform inspections on weekends as well. That’s right - you might not have to take time off work to attend your Home Inspection. Carson Dunlop is open seven days a week to help make your life easier. To request a weekend inspection, please call us at 800-268-7070. And if you need to book an inspection during off-hours, our real-time online booking service is a great solution. Click here to check it out and schedule your inspection. 

5. Require Planning and Advanced Notice

A large number of home buyers forgo their Home Inspection because they think they cannot schedule an inspection on short notice. In reality, Home Inspections can often be performed the same day they are requested. Scheduling a Home Inspection is not the hassle many believe it to be. Many only require a few hours of notice, can be requested online, and take just a few minutes to book.

Home Inspection is an essential professional consulting service for more than just buyers looking at heritage properties. Clear reports delivered the same day help all buyers make an informed decision on homes of all ages. Setting up an inspection is fast and easy.

When you are ready to schedule your Carson Dunlop Home Inspection, click here or call 800-268-7070.  

On this week’s Home Inspector Hot Seat, we’ve got one of our professional inspectors, Philip Falcone, in the “hot seat”. Philip has a passion for homes and teaching others – he enjoys working with new people every day and helping them feel comfortable in their homes. Philip highly values professionalism and client care, making his approach to Home Inspection detailed as well as personal.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced during a Home Inspection?
PF: “Sometimes getting onto roof surfaces provides an extra challenge, with height and inclement weather being some of the biggest limitations. Happily, we also look at the underside, or attic space, of the roof. This view can often provide us with more information than we can get from the top. We can check for visible moisture and water staining, take a look at the roof structure, insulation type and amount, and a variety of other important details.” 

What is one piece of advice you’d give every homeowner?
PF: “When it’s raining hard, grab an umbrella and walk around your home. Check to see where the water is going. Is it flowing away from the house? Is the water coming up and over the gutters? Where is your neighbour’s water going? All of these areas can impact how wet your basement becomes. When the sun comes out, check again. The spots that are still damp are areas that may need to be corrected to help drain water away more effectively.” 

Want to know what others are saying about Philip?

“Flexible scheduling and thorough inspection. The inspector communicated well and made sure we understood everything during the process. The final report generated arrived without delay and contained a wealth of information.” E.C., July 10, 2013.

“The inspection was done very patiently and everything was explained in detail. Philip went above and beyond my expectations!” M.K., May 29, 2013.

As you can see, the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection team is always up for the challenge and ready to help our clients and real estate partners. Make sure to watch out for more Home Inspector Hot Seat to get to know the rest of the team.

Want to get to know the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection team even better? To view profiles for each inspector, which outline their background, interests, and client testimonials, please click here.

On this week's Home Inspector Hot Seat we've got one of our Professional Home Inspectors, Sheila Corman, in the "hot seat". Sheila's experience as a carpenter and stone mason means she knows homes inside and out. As a mother and a female in a male-dominated industry, Sheila brings a compassionate and unique perspective to every Home Inspection she performs.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced during a Home Inspection?

SC: "For me, the biggest challenge usually boils down to extreme temperatures. We do Home Inspections year round, and we look at every aspect of the home, which means both interior and exterior. I've inspected homes in -20 degree weather and +30 degree weather, inspecting outside and on the roof in those extremes can definitely be challenging."

What is one piece of advice you'd give every homeowner?

SC: "I always encourage homeowners to familiarize themselves with the systems in their home. It's important to know what you're working with and how it works. The Home Reference Book is a great tool when it comes to figuring out the systems in your home - and you can always email me with questions if you aren't sure about something."

Want to know what others are saying about Sheila?

"The inspector we had, Sheila, was outstanding and in fact I would request her specifically for future inspections. She was very thorough and offered clear explanations and ensured we understood what items were a priority and how to maintain systems in order to maximize their lifespan." - S.M., April 14th, 2013.

As you can see, the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection team is always up for the challenge and ready to help our clients and real estate partners. Make sure to watch out for more Home Inspector Hot Seat to get to know the rest of the team.

Want to get to know the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection team even better? To view profiles for each inspector, which outline their background, interests and client testimonials, please click here.  

We know that it’s our people that set Carson Dunlop apart from other Home Inspection companies. From the scheduling process, to the inspection, to the report, our Home Inspection team is committed to exceeding customer expectations.

We understand the need for independent and quality advice to make an informed decision. With over 35 years of experience and over 125,000 Home Inspections completed, we know we have to earn your business by delivering exceptional customer service one inspection at a time. The Carson Dunlop Home Inspection team is committed to helping our clients become more knowledgeable about their home; whether they’re buying, selling, or interested in general maintenance.

We love bragging about our team and thought it appropriate to put them in the spotlight for a moment, so please enjoy our recurring segment: Home Inspector Hot Seat. Each week we’ll put one of our Home Inspectors in the “hot seat” and ask them a few questions, so you can get to know the team we’re so proud to work with.

This week Walter Collodel, one of our Engineers, is in the hot seat. Walter joined the Carson Dunlop team because he’s passionate about construction, science, and how things work – three interests that make him an excellent Home Inspector.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced during a Home Inspection?

WC: “The biggest challenges I typically encounter are access issues: I’m well over six feet tall, so getting into the crawl space is usually a tight fit. This week alone I’ve hit my head more than three times! Probably the most memorable challenge I’ve faced would be getting access to a four storey roof – I actually ended up climbing a nearby tree.”

What is one piece of advice you’d give every homeowner?

WC: “I have three little words for everyone homeowner: do your maintenance. There are lots of ways to justify not performing maintenance tasks – like lack of time, or the age of the system. Most maintenance tasks only take a few minutes, and even though an item may need replacing soon, regularly performed maintenance will help to increase the longevity and performance of most systems, regardless of their stage in life.”

Want to know what others are saying about Walter?

“Walter was professional, personable, and engaging. I felt like he was not only looking out for my personal interest in purchasing a property, but also educating me on how to care for the home once I had it. An invaluable experience.” – A.N., May 6th, 2013.

As you can see, the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection team is always up for the challenge and ready to help our clients and real estate partners. Make sure to watch out for more Home Inspector Hot Seat to get to know the rest of the team. 

Want to get to know the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection team even better? To view profiles for each of our inspectors, which outline their background, interests and client testimonials, please click here.