West Country Inspections and Home Services
Standard Home Inspections
A standard home inspection occurs with most home purchases, frequently even with newly built homes. It is an invaluable tool for buyers to gain insight into the condition of what is likely the largest investment they may ever make. During a home inspection the inspector will investigate areas of the home the buyer may not be able to see at a showing. These include items such as the interior of the electrical panels, furnaces, attics and crawlspaces. Using specialized tools such as thermal and endoscopic cameras, moisture meters, and gas leak detectors on every inspection gives us a very clear picture of conditions present in the home. The inspection process includes a very detailed digital report with photos of every condition found including thermal images. You will receive your report the very same day and are encouraged to reach out in the unlikely event that some items are unclear.
Pre-Listing Inspection
A pre-listing inspection is a useful tool for homeowners who plan to list their house for sale but are unsure about the actual condition of their home. This inspection follows the same procedure and Standards of Practice as our standard home inspection. By having your home inspected before listing you will become informed of conditions that may impede the final transaction after the buyer hires their own inspector. With the knowledge provided by the pre-listing inspection report, you can either address the conditions found or disclose them and adjust the price accordingly.
11 Month Warranty Inspection
An 11 month warranty inspection is a way for new home owners to ensure that they receive the full value of the warranty they received when they initially bought their home. Often the first year in a home's life is when some issues tend to shake out. This inspection also follows the same procedure and Standard of Practice as our standard home inspections.
Settling of the fill at the perimeter of the foundation regularly occurs even if it is properly back filled at the time of construction. Interior bearing columns also regularly settle, placing undue stress on the other components of the structure. By having a qualified, experienced and trained inspector on your side and a detailed report in hand you will have the tools you need to negotiate effectively with your warranty provider.
Specialty Inspections
Sometimes a home or business owner may have concerns regarding the condition of one or more specific systems of a structure. Consider a potentially leaking roof, cracks in a foundation that might be new or growing, apparent cold rooms, concerns with your attic or settling issues. Let our experience, equipment and detailed reports help you with any issue that may be a concern. Fees for this service are negotiable for individual cases.
Mold Inspections
Often the only indication that there is a mold issue in a home is an odor. Sometimes there may not even be an odor but occupants experience health issues such as asthma or other respiratory conditions. Our procedure to determine the presence, concentration and species of mold involves moisture mapping of suspect areas, taking an outdoor reference air sample combined with a least one indoor air sample. Any visible mold like substance will either be sampled by wet swab or tape lifting. Both air and swab samples are sent to a lab for analysis. Once results are returned, a detailed digital report will be delivered and recommendations given.
WETT Inspections
Radon Measurement
Radon gas can be present in any structure that is in direct contact with the soil. It is odorless, invisible, and the number 1 cause on lung cancer in Canada among non smokers. The only sure way to determine the concentration of Radon in a home is to measure it with specialized equipment. While Health Canada recommends no less than a 90 day measurement to determine Radon concentration before mitigation is considered, they do endorse a short term screening protocol for real estate transactions to determine Radon potential. this screening measurement involves a four day measurement period and provides a recommendation for negotiating future mitigation costs.
WETT Inspections
WETT is an acronym for Wood Energy Transfer Technology. There are 3 levels of inspection endorsed by the WETT association. For almost all insurance purposes a level 1 inspection is required. this level of inspection is a visual, non-invasive examination of venting systems, clearances to combustible material and floor protection. The inspection is based on manufacturer's specifications, the fire code and CSA B-365 standard for wood burning appliances. It is always best if the wood burning appliance is cold at the time of inspection.