Buying a home is one of life’s biggest investments and getting a home inspection can be an important step in the decision-making process. It’s important to read your home inspection contract very carefully because there’s crucial information that must be in there. We’re going to tell you what to look for and why it matters.
In BC, home inspectors must be licensed with us and are required to follow certain laws, including a number of things that must be in the contract.
A home inspection contract must:
- Say exactly what is covered in the home inspection
- Say whether the home inspector will inspect for mold or asbestos
- Include specifics on whether invasive procedures will be used, if any
- Not have information that limits the liability, or amount of liability of the home inspector
Why it matters
This information needs to be in your contract so you know what to expect from the home inspection and are aware of what’s involved in the process (and what’s not). In BC, a home inspector is also required to hold at least $1 million in both professional and comprehensive liability insurance in case something goes wrong and the matters goes to court.
Questions?
There are more elements that must be in the contract, To find out more about what to expect from a home inspection and to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a consumer, explore our website or contact us directly.
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
Top 5 tips if you’re buying a home
What happens during a home inspection?
What to Expect From a Home Inspection
About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
I’m so glad to have found this information. My husband and I bought our house many years ago. It was old then and had had a couple of additions and we added one more. I found our addition so incredibly stressful … moving during a busy season in our business, having a baby and adding an addition that took close to 8 months was too much. I swore I’d never let a contractor inside again … words from a mad woman. We did have roofers and we did some basics and we argued about the rest. When my husband died I was ready to get things on track. I figured I’d get the house inspected and get the necessary upgrades and repairs done in the order of importance. A good plan that unfortunately didn’t quite work out that way. I could not find an inspector. Why I didn’t call a real estate agency and ask around that lot I don’t know.
Reading that house inspectors are now licensed in BC and what to look for and expect from a home inspection is a real breath of fresh air. Thank you.