Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Before hiring a home inspector, here are five important things consumers should know.
We license all home inspectors in BC. A home inspection can help consumers better understand the condition of a property before making a major purchase.
5 things to know before hiring a home inspector in BC
1. Ask what is included in the inspection
Not all home inspections are the same. Before booking, ask the inspector what systems and areas of the home will be included in the inspections.
2. Understand the cost of the inspection
The cost of a home inspection can vary depending on factors such as the size, age, location of the property and experience of the home inspector.
We license home inspectors but do not regulate the cost of inspections services. You may want to do your research and compare quotes before deciding.
3. Know what obligations they have
Licensed home inspectors in BC must meet certain legal requirements, including maintaining insurance coverage and providing you with a written contract and inspection report.
Reviewing the contract carefully before the inspection can help you understand what services are and are not included.
4. Understand what a home inspector cannot do
In BC, home inspections are visual, non-invasive assessments of accessible areas of a home. Home inspectors cannot:
- Perform destructive testing
- Conduct repairs on a home they inspect
- Provide repair cost estimates
- Assess specialized environment hazards, such as asbestos or mold.
- Determine a property market value or insurability.
Understanding the limitations of a home inspection can help you set a realistic expectation before the inspection takes place. Learn more about what a home inspector can and cannot do.
5. Check that the home inspector is licensed
Before hiring a home inspector, you should confirm that the inspector holds a valid license with us. You can do this by checking if they have a licence on our website..
Do you have any tips or resources that we may have missed? Please let us know in the comments.
Where to go for more information
If you are not happy with the quality of service you received from your home inspector, the first step is to try and resolve the problem directly with them.
Many home inspectors are members of an association. These associations can often help with the quality-of-service complaints that are not covered by our laws. You can learn more about the home inspector associations on our website.
If you believe a home inspector is not following the rules outlined above, submit a complaint so we can take a look at your issue.
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About Consumer Protection BC
We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific 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 try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
Please note information on our website is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For details, read our website disclaimer.