critical questions to ask your home inspector
HOME INSPECTION DAY ESSENTIALS: CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HOME INSPECTOR PLUMBING
ELECTRICAL EXTERIOR
HEATING/COOLING
INTERIOR
WINDOW & DOOR
Are there shut offs on all toilets and sinks? Are there any lead pipes? (This is an insurance & health issue) What condition is the water tank in? Has there been any water damage in the basement? Is the main drain in an accessible location? Are any taps/faucets are leaking? Where is the outdoor water shut off? (For winter preparation so no pipes burst) Where is the main water shut off in the house? (Ask him/her to show you where it is so know in case of emergency to minimize damage) Is there knob and tube wiring (may affect your ability to get home insurance) Was the electrical done by a professional electrician - safe and professional? How many years does the roof still have? Is the property properly graded so water flows away from the home not into your basement? Are there any concerns with the materials the outside of the house is finished in be it brick, siding, stucco, etc. and What condition are the eaves troughs in? Is the area prone to termites? (If they don’t know they can tell where you can find out) What is the condition of the fencing? How old is the furnace/ac and how many years will it have left? Are there heating vents in every room including the basement? If not you may need to add them so you don’t have very cold rooms in the winter Where is the gas shut off? How is the home heated? (Gas, Electricity, oil, propane) Insulation type – you want to be sure there is not uffi For older houses that have plaster – any chance is has asbestos in it? Look up in each room – especially in rooms that are below bathrooms – is there any discolouration, cracking, or spot painting(to cover up damage) to suggest previous water damage Are there light fixtures in every room or are you going to need lamps? What’s the condition of the window coverings assuming they are staying with the home and are you going to need to buy or replace any? Is the garage properly sealed so no carbon monoxide can leak into the house? Is there any sign of moisture around window frames inside? Is there any sign of water damage or leaks around the outside of the windows? What is the age of the windows? What is the condition of the exterior door frames? Is the garage door entering the home insulated and sealed sufficiently to ensure no exhaust is leaking into the house?
This is by no means a complete list, but it gives you a guide for some of the most important things to ask and your home inspector should be happy to answer these questions for you so please make sure you ask – after all it’s a huge investment you are making – you must know what you are buying. For more money and time saving tips and tools visit www.moveboss.ca today! Copyright 2013, Moveboss.ca
ELECTRICAL EXTERIOR
HEATING/COOLING
INTERIOR
WINDOW & DOOR
Are there shut offs on all toilets and sinks? Are there any lead pipes? (This is an insurance & health issue) What condition is the water tank in? Has there been any water damage in the basement? Is the main drain in an accessible location? Are any taps/faucets are leaking? Where is the outdoor water shut off? (For winter preparation so no pipes burst) Where is the main water shut off in the house? (Ask him/her to show you where it is so know in case of emergency to minimize damage) Is there knob and tube wiring (may affect your ability to get home insurance) Was the electrical done by a professional electrician - safe and professional? How many years does the roof still have? Is the property properly graded so water flows away from the home not into your basement? Are there any concerns with the materials the outside of the house is finished in be it brick, siding, stucco, etc. and What condition are the eaves troughs in? Is the area prone to termites? (If they don’t know they can tell where you can find out) What is the condition of the fencing? How old is the furnace/ac and how many years will it have left? Are there heating vents in every room including the basement? If not you may need to add them so you don’t have very cold rooms in the winter Where is the gas shut off? How is the home heated? (Gas, Electricity, oil, propane) Insulation type – you want to be sure there is not uffi For older houses that have plaster – any chance is has asbestos in it? Look up in each room – especially in rooms that are below bathrooms – is there any discolouration, cracking, or spot painting(to cover up damage) to suggest previous water damage Are there light fixtures in every room or are you going to need lamps? What’s the condition of the window coverings assuming they are staying with the home and are you going to need to buy or replace any? Is the garage properly sealed so no carbon monoxide can leak into the house? Is there any sign of moisture around window frames inside? Is there any sign of water damage or leaks around the outside of the windows? What is the age of the windows? What is the condition of the exterior door frames? Is the garage door entering the home insulated and sealed sufficiently to ensure no exhaust is leaking into the house?
This is by no means a complete list, but it gives you a guide for some of the most important things to ask and your home inspector should be happy to answer these questions for you so please make sure you ask – after all it’s a huge investment you are making – you must know what you are buying. For more money and time saving tips and tools visit www.moveboss.ca today! Copyright 2013, Moveboss.ca
