Having an annual home inspection, performed by a Calgary home inspector, is a great way to keep your home in tiptop shape throughout the year. Similarly, spring cleaning is the best time of year to book your regular professional inspections, including furnace, air conditioning, and plumbing inspections. Therefore, spring is the best time for a home inspection.

Although this line of reasoning does hold up against the most stringent inspection, you may feel like it is a little too simple. A little too straightforward, perhaps. Of course, that feeling is totally understandable, and you shouldn’t be left hanging with so little information. As a result, please consider the following reasons that further expound upon the value of springtime home inspections.

3 Reasons For Springtime Home Inspections

1. After-Winter Effects

Aside from the rationale described above, the best reason for a visit from a Calgary home inspector is the effect winter can have on your home. Winter can cause all sorts of problems, such as home settling, leaks, lawn damage, and more. Take, for example, the likelihood of pipes bursting during the winter months. This problem is a result of freezing water combined with a rush of pressure that your pipes simply cannot withstand. Every part of your home faces similar adversity during the winter months and immediately after the winter thaw.

2. Outdoor Considerations

An area of our homes that we seldom pay enough attention to is the exterior. The areas we exclude can include the foundation, eavestroughs, roof, and more. Yes, it is understandable that you believe these areas are permanent, and that they seldom see a lot of change. However, a home inspection can find issues that you had not considered before.

Issues that may include foundation cracks, dry or torn roof shingles, broken eavestroughs, or compromised window seals are all possible. Performing your home inspection after the harshness of winter and before the harshness of summer will give you sufficient time to get these repairs noted and addressed, as necessary.

3. Clear Visibility

The final reason on our list can appear obvious, initially. The visibility of your home and yard is reduced in the winter months as snow covers everything in a cool and refreshing blanket. However, this blanket is a disguise for the forces of erosion and corrosion, which are still very much active underneath the top layer.

Therefore, having a home inspection when you can inspect every area freely and without obstruction is a good plan.

Where to Find Quality Calgary Home Inspectors

There are many places for you to find quality home inspectors, and you should consider each of them with great scrutiny. However, if you were looking for a personalized opinion on the matter, the suggestion would be to read on just a bit further. Happy inspecting!

Integra Inspections is a Home Inspection Company in Calgary that provides unbeatable service for home inspections. With over 15 years of experience and the latest technologies such as thermal imaging, you can count on Integra Home Inspections to get you the facts and have you ready for your next home!

Are you planning on getting an inspection done for the home you own or home you’re planning to buy? The inspection can cover a lot of things. However, there are a few parts of the home that you want to stress more than the rest.

5 Things Your Home Inspector Will Check

1. HVAC System

Your HVAC system is one of the most important parts of your home. It controls your heating, air conditioning, and ventilation. Problems with your HVAC system can cost you a lot of money in your energy bills. They can also reduce ventilation, which can affect people with allergies or asthma. The HVAC system is something that most Calgary home inspectors will look at.

2. Roof

Roofing problems are one of the most common things that homeowners deal with. It’s essential to get the roof inspected so that you know where you stand in terms of repair work, stability, and longevity of the roof. Roof repairs and replacements can be costly, so you want to make sure you get a clear idea of where the conditions of your roof stand. Get the Calgary home inspectors to give your roof a comprehensive look.

3. Foundation

The foundation of a property can get damaged over a long time. This is usually caused by things like erosion, moisture, and poor structural work. You want to get this looked at if you’re buying or selling a home. The repair work will be essential no matter what side of the coin you’re on. Neglecting the structural integrity of the property is not only costly; it is dangerous.

4. Plumbing

Plumbing issues are also a big threat to a property due to potential water damage. You want to take a look a look at both the regular plumbing and septic system to see if you need to fix leaks, replace pipes or repair any systems. Water damage and remediation are one of the most costly repairs you’ll have to undergo. That’s why it’s a smart idea to get your contractor to look over the plumbing diligently.

5. Potential Dangers

This isn’t something specific to your home, but you want your contractor to be on the lookout for potential dangers. This includes ventilation systems that are building up mold, lead paint, gas leaks, asbestos, noxious gases, and basement mold. All of these issues can be hazardous to your health.

These are the five things to make sure your home inspectors check. Of course, there will be many other important parts of your home that need to be checked out. But these should be on the top of the list.

Do you need your home inspected? Making sure you know the condition of a property is important whether you’re selling or buying. But since the process is new to most people, they’are unaware of how much they should be paying for a home inspector. Here are some things that come into play when figuring out the pricing.

How Large is the Home?

The cost of home inspection in Calgary will primarily depend on the size of your home. This makes a lot of sense since the home inspector will have a lot more to inspect when working with a bigger home. Obviously, if your home is on the smaller side, it will be on the lower end of the price spectrum.

How Big of a Job is the Inspection?

Regardless of the size of the home, you have to consider how big the job is. For example, if it is difficult to inspect various parts of your home, it’ll take a lot more time to get a thorough inspection. Older homes tend to be harder to inspect due to parts of the home breaking down. It’s safe to generally think that you’re going to be spending $80 to $100 an hour for the inspection.

What Special Services Will You Need?

Aside from a basic inspection, you may need other services. This includes air mold testing, swimming pools, radon testing, sewer inspections, and more. This can increase the price of inspection by a couple of hundred dollars. Most homeowners may not need to opt for these special services, so it’s best to stick to the $100 an hour figure if you need a basic inspection.

The Average Cost of Home Inspection Is…

The average cost of a home inspection in Calgary is anywhere from $375 to $550 for an average home. That isn’t that big of a range, so it’s safe to say that you’ll probably end up spending somewhere in the $400 area. Some inspectors will offer different packages as well, so you want to look around for some great deals.

That’s a general overview of how much you’ll be paying for a home inspection. Hopefully, this will help you secure fair pricing for your upcoming inspection.

Finding the right house is a process. You look at a number of options and choose the one that’s best for you, but it doesn’t stop there. Due to the potential for unseen problems, it’s important to schedule a home inspection to make sure the home really is the best option for you, which means hiring a home inspector.

But you shouldn’t hire anyone. You have to hire the best one for the job. Here is how you can do it:

Prepare for the inspection by asking your Calgary home inspector these questions.

How Long Have You Been a Home Inspector in Calgary?

Experience is key when it comes to inspecting homes. Not only should inspectors have experience examining homes, but they should also be familiar with local conditions which can affect the life expectancy of building components. Get the most out of your inspection by working with a Calgary home inspector who has operating in the area for a number of years and is fully licensed and certified.

What Will You Inspect?

A home inspection should include a full view of the property, from foundation to roof. Specific requirements vary by area, but at a minimum your home inspector should check the following:

Structural elements
The electrical and plumbing systems
Exterior elements
The heating and cooling system

What Won’t You Inspect?

Follow up the above question by finding out what is not covered during home inspections. Understanding what won’t be checked gives you the opportunity to learn about common issues that you can check out yourself. Sometimes you may want to schedule a specialized inspection to cover certain areas that aren’t included under a regular home inspection.

What Problems are Red Flags?

Many of the issues marked by a Calgary home inspector aren’t deal breakers, but find out what sort of things you should be concerned about. If any of these problem areas show up during your inspection, ask the home inspector for more information.

Condos are a great option for buyers looking for more amenities with less maintenance. As a condo buyer, however, you must be just as careful as detached home buyer. This includes completing a professional inspection before finalizing the sale.

Here Are Five Reasons To Get A Condo Inspection In Calgary

1. A Condo Inspection Looks Beyond the Facade
Buyers may feel like a condo inspection is a waste of money if the unit appears to be in good condition. However, even new construction can harbour costly problems that aren’t visible. You might find problems within the condo, such as asbestos or other dangers. A Calgary home inspector is trained to spot these issues.

2. Save Money With An Inspection
Of course, you’ll have to pay for a condo inspection, but it can actually help you save money. With an inspection, you’ll avoid the unpleasant situation of buying a condo only to discover it needs to be completely rewired or needs other major repairs after you move in.

3. A Home Inspector Helps You Negotiate
The information you obtain from a Calgary home inspector can help you negotiate a lower price for a condo. You get valuable bargaining power from a condo inspection.

4. Stipulate Seller’s Repairs
You may also be able to include seller’s repairs clauses in the contract. The seller should make the necessary repairs or take the price for the repairs off the total. A Calgary home inspector helps you determine exactly what repairs need to be done and what they’ll cost.

5. Know What You’re Buying
Buying a condo is a big purchase, one that you should research thoroughly. Information for buying homes and getting an inspection is vital. A Calgary condo inspection is part of the research process and provides valuable information about exactly what you are buying.

If you’re thinking about buying a condo, get a condo inspection before completing the sale.

Contact us: (403) 703-4474 | [email protected] | www.integra-inspections.com

Integra Inspections is pleased to announce it has formed a partnership with Habitat For Humanity Southern Alberta. We are proud to have established this partnership going forward in a bid to help Habitat For Humanity Southern Alberta with all their housing projects with our Calgary home inspection services.

Continue reading “Integra Inspections To Provide Home Inspections For Habitat For Humanity”

Finding your dream home is an exciting moment. Don’t let the dream become a nightmare after buying because of unexpected problems and repairs. A home inspection helps you determine if the home you’re considering is the right home for you. But first, you need to find a home inspector. Do your research and use these questions to help you choose the right Calgary home inspector.

Continue reading “How Do I Choose A Calgary Home Inspector?”

Although many families have both smoke and CO alarms installed, they forget to get it inspected regularly to see whether the detectors are working fine or not. Smoke and CO alarms can save your life. Luckily, inspection companies offer a full home inspection service that includes radon testing and gas detector check too. During these inspections, they check the interconnected smoke alarms, check their wiring and see if the detectors are working fine.

Continue reading “Installing and Maintaining Smoke and CO Detectors:”

If you have ever been involved in buying a new or old home and in a real estate transaction, you have probably understood the importance of a home inspection before moving in. For many homeowners, the experience of the process of getting a home inspection is quite different. While some of them are confident about the home inspector’s report, many find faults even after the home is thoroughly inspected. Here is a brief overview

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No matter how big and beautiful your condo is, you should always try to maximize your property’s worth. The best way to add value to your property is by preparing it for the real estate market, and the prep work starts with a complete inspection. Many real estate experts suggest that a well-inspected property has more value in the market in contrast to a non-inspected one.

Continue reading “How a Complete Condo Inspection Can Add Value to Your Property”