More Frequently Asked Questions
General Home Inspection Questions
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of a property's major systems and components, including the structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more. The goal is to identify deficiencies, safety concerns, and potential maintenance issues before buying, selling, or maintaining a property.
Why should I get a home inspection?
A home inspection protects your investment by helping you:
Understand the true condition of the property.
Identify hidden safety hazards or costly repairs.
Negotiate repairs or price adjustments during a sale.
Plan for future maintenance and upgrades.
What does a home inspection include?
A typical home inspection covers:
Structural components (foundation, framing, etc.)
Roofing, gutters, and flashing
Exterior siding and grading
Plumbing systems
Electrical systems
Heating and cooling systems
Attic, insulation, and ventilation
Interior finishes, walls, ceilings, and floors
Windows, doors, and stairs
Basements and crawlspaces
You'll also receive a written report with photos and clear explanations.
How long does a home inspection take?
Most home inspections take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the size, age, and condition of the home. Larger or older homes may take longer due to additional areas of concern.
When should I schedule a home inspection?
For buyers: You can schedule your inspection before or after your offer is accepted - most purchase agreements include an inspection condition with a short time frame, and give the buyer the option to pull out of the deal before any money changes hands if the inspection proves that the property in question has more problems than the buyer anticipated. Some buyers may prefer to schedule the inspection earlier, before making an offer, which they can use as a bargaining chip.
For sellers: Consider a pre-listing inspection before putting your home on the market.
For owners: Annual or bi-annual inspections help keep your home in top condition.
Inspection Process & Procedures
Can I attend the inspection?
Absolutely! Home inspectors generally encourage clients to attend. It's a great opportunity to see your home through the eyes of an inspector and ask questions during the process.
What should I expect during the inspection?
Expect a detailed, top-to-bottom visual inspection. We'll explain issues as we find them and provide practical advice for maintaining your home. Afterward, you'll receive a full written report with photos.
Will you move furniture or appliances during the inspection?
No. Home inspections are non-invasive, meaning we do not move heavy furniture, appliances, or stored items. If access is blocked, we will note it in the report.
How do you inspect hard-to-reach areas like roofs and crawlspaces?
We use ladders, moisture meters, and flashlights to inspect as much as safely possible. Where accessible, we enter attics and crawlspaces. For steep or unsafe roofs, we inspect from the ground or edge with binoculars and may recommend further evaluation.
Do you use thermal imaging, moisture meters, or drones?
Yes, we use moisture meters and infrared thermometers when necessary to investigate potential moisture problems or temperature irregularities. Drone inspections are available for steep or inaccessible roofs on a case-by-case basis.
Types of Inspections Offered
What types of properties do you inspect?
We inspect:
Single-family homes
Townhouses & condominiums
Century homes & heritage properties
New construction homes
Small commercial buildings
Multi-unit residential buildings (duplexes, triplexes, etc.)
Do you inspect commercial properties?
Yes, we provide inspections for small commercial properties, including offices, retail spaces, and light industrial buildings. Contact us for a custom quote based on the size and type of building.
Do you inspect condominiums?
Yes. For condos, we focus on the interior systems and finishes of your unit. Common areas (hallways, roofs, etc.) are typically managed by the condo corporation but we may inspect visible common elements upon request.
Do you offer inspections for older or historic homes?
Absolutely. Charles Moffat has a special passion for century homes and heritage properties. Older homes often have unique structural and electrical systems, such as stone foundations, knob-and-tube wiring, or stone foundation walls, and require a specialized inspection approach.
Can you inspect multi-unit residential buildings?
Yes, we inspect duplexes, triplexes, and small apartment buildings, including shared mechanical systems and common areas. Larger buildings may require a customized inspection plan and pricing.
Inspection Report & Follow-Up
When will I receive my inspection report?
You will typically receive your full written report within 24 hours of the inspection, often the same day. We know timing is critical when buying or selling a home.
What will be included in the inspection report?
Our digital reports include:
A clear summary of findings
Detailed descriptions of deficiencies and safety concerns
Photographs of key issues
Maintenance recommendations
Next steps where further specialist evaluation is recommended
Do you provide photos and recommendations?
Yes. Every inspection report includes photos of defects, safety concerns, and areas to monitor, along with practical repair and maintenance suggestions.
Can I contact you with questions after the inspection?
Absolutely. We encourage follow-up questions by phone or email. Your inspection isn't complete until you understand the report and your home's condition.
Limitations of a Home Inspection
What's not included in a home inspection?
A standard home inspection is visual, non-invasive and safe. It does not include:
Opening walls, removing finishes, or dismantling systems
Specialty testing (asbestos, mold, lead paint, radon)
Septic systems, wells, and buried oil tanks
Code compliance verification
Cosmetic defects
Doing anything that the home inspector considers to be unsafe
We may recommend further specialized inspections if issues are suspected.
Do you test for asbestos, mold, or radon?
No. Those are specialty environmental tests beyond a standard home inspection. We may note visible signs of mold or asbestos-containing materials and recommend professional testing if needed.
Do you provide cost estimates for repairs?
We do not provide contractor pricing as repair costs vary by contractor, region, and scope of work. We will indicate the urgency and potential severity of issues, and recommend getting quotes from licensed professionals.
Do you guarantee that nothing will go wrong after I buy the home?
No, if anything we guarantee the opposite. Every home is designed, effectively, to break eventually and the primary culprit is usually water. No home lasts forever, no matter how well designed it is. A home inspection reduces your risk by allowing you to make an informed decision, but we cannot eliminate the risk. Systems can fail unexpectedly after an inspection, and homeowners sometimes deliberately hide problems within the home. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision, but no inspection can predict every future issue.
New Construction & Warranty Inspections
Should I inspect a brand-new home?
Yes! New homes often have defects that builders miss (or hide). These can include poor drainage, roofing mistakes, HVAC issues, and more. An independent inspection protects your investment.
What is a Tarion warranty inspection?
Ontario's Tarion warranty program protects new homeowners. We offer inspections timed with:
30-Day Warranty (after moving in)
1-Year Warranty (builder's full coverage period)
2-Year Warranty (structural and major systems coverage)
Our inspections help you identify defects and document them for your warranty claim.
What should be inspected before my new home warranty expires?
Before your 1-year and 2-year warranty deadlines, we inspect:
Settlement cracks in the foundation or drywall
Grading & drainage issues
HVAC performance
Roof & exterior finishes
Windows and doors for proper installation
Plumbing and electrical systems
Identifying these issues early allows your builder to correct them at no additional cost to you, thanks to the warranty.
Safety Questions
Do home inspectors go on every roof?
No. Inspectors will walk on a roof only if it is safe to do so - meaning it is not too steep, fragile, wet, icy, or otherwise hazardous. If the roof is unsafe, we inspect from the ground, use ladders at the edges, binoculars, or drones when appropriate. Another reason to not go on a roof is if the inspector is concerned about possibly damaging the roof. As such home inspectors generally don't go on any roof if they believe that they might damage it.
Will the inspector enter crawlspaces or attics?
Yes, if it is safe and accessible. However, we will not enter crawlspaces or attics that have:
Unsafe wiring or structural issues
Water accumulation or visible mold hazards
An animal presence (e.g., rodents, raccoons, insects)
Extremely limited access that risks injury
We will note any inaccessible areas in the inspection report and explain why.
Are home inspectors responsible for removing hazardous materials?
No. Inspectors do not remove or disturb hazardous materials, such as asbestos, mold, lead paint, or chemical spills. We will visually identify suspected hazards and recommend that you consult a qualified specialist for testing and removal.
Do home inspectors inspect energized electrical panels?
Yes, we inspect electrical panels, but we follow strict safety protocols:
We remove the panel cover if it is safe and accessible.
We visually inspect wiring, breakers, and grounding.
We do not perform live electrical testing or repairs.
If we find unsafe wiring or improper panel installations, we'll recommend an electrician.
Can inspectors turn on utilities that are shut off?
No. For safety reasons, we do not activate gas, water, or electrical services that are shut off. If a home has disconnected utilities, the inspection will cover what is visible, but a full evaluation will not be possible until the utilities are reconnected.
What happens if the inspector finds a dangerous condition during the inspection?
If we identify an immediate safety hazard (such as a gas leak, exposed wiring, or carbon monoxide concern), we will:
Notify the client immediately.
Recommend contacting the proper authority (utility company, fire department, electrician, etc.).
Stop the inspection in that area if it is unsafe to continue.
Are home inspectors trained in safety procedures?
Yes. Certified home inspectors are trained in personal safety and hazard recognition, and carry liability insurance. We follow industry-standard safety practices to protect ourselves and our clients.
Hiring and Employment
Are you currently hiring home inspectors?
We are always open to meeting qualified, certified inspectors. If you're passionate about home inspection and enjoy helping people, we'd love to hear from you.
What qualifications do you look for in a home inspector?
We look for inspectors who are:
Certified through recognized organizations (e.g., InterNACHI, CAHPI, OAHI, or similar)
Experienced with residential and/or commercial inspections
Detail-oriented with strong communication skills
Insured and in good standing with their certification body
Do you offer training for new inspectors?
At this time, we prefer inspectors to be fully certified before joining us. However, we occasionally mentor newer inspectors who have completed their coursework and need field experience.
Do you hire part-time or contract inspectors?
Yes, we work with both full-time and part-time inspectors, as well as independent contractors, depending on our workload and your availability.
Do you hire administrative or office staff?
No. Not at the present time.
