Are you a first-time home buyer? If you are about to purchase your first property you will, no doubt, have a lot of questions about the home buying process.  One, very important, step in this process will be the home inspection so we thought we’d answer a couple of the questions you might have regarding it.
 
One of the first questions you might have is:
​Why do I need to have a home inspection done? Its very important to be aware of the exact condition of the home you are looking to buy.  A home inspector performs a comprehensive check of the property to make sure there are no huge problems you need to be aware of before you buy.
 
How long will a home inspection take? There are a number of factors to take into consideration such as the size of the property, whether there are other buildings that need checking on the property and the location.  On average, though, you should expect the inspection to take approximately 3 hours.  If it takes a lot less time, the inspection might not have been as thorough as it should have been.
 
Will I need to be present for the home inspection?  You do not have to be there but there are many benefits to being present for the inspection.  You will get to know your potential new home a lot more thoroughly and the home inspector can show you any areas of concern they might see, this will be better than reading the findings in a report.
 
We hope that the home buying process is a stress free and uncomplicated process for you.  Please feel free to contact us for all your home inspection needs.

As temperatures start to drop, those of you with fireplaces or wood burning stoves will, no doubt, be making good use of them and who doesn’t love a good roaring fire on a cold night? A good question to ask, then, is what kind of materials are OK to burn and what would be the wrong kind of fuel for our fires?


For the health and well being of your household, its good to be aware that not all woods are good for burning, for example, the wrong type of wood, when burned, could produce harmful fumes that would be dangerous to inhale.  A few of the woods that should not be used are: plywood, pressure treated woods, painted woods and even driftwood is not good to use. Some kinds of woods that are ok to burn, as long as they are not treated woods, are fallen tree limbs, wooden pallets and dried softwoods.


While it is a temptation to throw trash into the fireplace, there are some things that also can be hazardous when burned, dryer lint and wrappers are a couple of examples.


If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, its good to familiarize yourself with what is the right kind of wood or fuel to use.  This is especially the case if you have just moved into a home that has a fireplace and this is the first winter that you will be using one.  Remember, just because something will burn, doesn’t always mean that it’s a wise choice.

​There are some odors in a home that are difficult to get rid of.  One such odor is tobacco smoke.  This will be particularly frustrating if you have just moved into your new home and the prior occupants were smokers.  So, how can you begin the process of removing such a stubborn odor?
 
Tobacco smoke odor can permeate everywhere and everything, the reason is that smoke particles are extremely small.  This is why you might smell this type of smoke even from a neighboring apartment.
 
If you have just moved in or are about to move in to your new place, what are some ways to start to eliminate the smell?
 
An important first step is good ventilation.  Get the air moving through the home by opening as many doors and windows as you can.
 
There are a number of safe, natural ways to help absorb odors and neutralize them.  Baking soda is a great one but be careful when using it around soft furnishings as it might damage them.  Another natural option is to place fresh citrus peel around the house.  Leave it there for a few days if you can.  The nice thing with citrus is that it also provides a fresh scent.
 
Although for many the smell might put them off, vinegar is also a good option for eliminating strong odors.  A couple of other good choices are charcoal which can be left in bowls and placed around the house and also coffee.  Coffee is very good when it comes to neutralizing odors.  Put coffee grounds in filters and leave in areas of the home.
 
This is just some preliminary steps to tobacco odor removal, however if you find that the odor is too much, please feel free to contact us for more advise. 

​As experienced home inspectors, we know the importance of having the right people for the job.  Whether you want to sell your home and buy another or are a first-time buyer, you will want the experience to be a positive and successful one.  Having the right home inspector is vital for this process to go smoothly. For this reason, we have the following video for you to enjoy.  It briefly highlights what to look for in a great home inspector.
 
We are confident that we are the right home inspectors for you.  If you would like to know more about the way we will inspect your home and how thorough we are, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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​When inspecting homes, we get to see a variety of types of exterior finish.  A popular kind of exterior cladding is vinyl siding.  Let’s consider a few things with regards to vinyl siding so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not you want it for your home.
 
Of course, it’s always good to do a pros and cons list to find out if vinyl siding is a good option for you.  Vinyl siding has many positive aspects to it, as long as its installed correctly.  For one thing, it is very durable and hard to dent.  It is also fade resistant and rust proof.  These are surely all positive points with something that will be covering most of the exterior of your home for a very long time.
 
What about the potential disadvantages to vinyl siding? Are there any?  As with all exterior cladding, given the right circumstance it can become damaged, vinyl siding is no exception.  For instance, extremes of weather can affect it, too hot and the siding could become warped and distorted, too cold and the siding could become brittle, prone to cracking and easier to damage. 
 
Vinyl siding is also not an insulator.  This means that it will not contribute to energy savings.  In the event of a fire, either in the home or around it, vinyl siding can emit a toxic chemical which could be dangerous to those living in or around it.
 
After reviewing a few of the pros and cons of vinyl siding, we hope you will be in a better position to decide whether it’s a good option for your home.  

​Are you looking for a home to buy?  Finding a potential new home can be extremely stressful, after all, you have so much to take into consideration.  There is making sure it’s the right location and that it fits the needs of you and the household, and all of this needs to fit into your budget.  Its no surprise, then, that making sure the property has adequate grading is, perhaps, not your first thought.
 
The following video is here to help you understand, a little better, why having the proper amount of grading or slope is so important and why it’s a good idea to consider this when choosing your next home.
 
If you have any questions regarding this subject or any home inspection question, please feel free to contact us.
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​If you are currently trying to sell your home, you will, no doubt, be doing all you can to make sure your property is ready for the sale.  If a home inspection has be scheduled, what are some of the ways you can contribute to its success?
 
You will want the home inspector to be able to carry out the inspection in an easy and efficient way.  To help with this, make sure ahead of time that all areas the home inspector will need to access are free and clear.  This would include areas such as the basement and attic, as well as electric paneling and heating system.  Also, keep areas that are normally locked, open and unlocked on the day of inspection.  In this way time is not wasted by looking for keys etc.
 
If you will be doing small repairs to the property before the sale, try to do this before the inspection.  Areas that might need fixing are gutters and downspouts, windows, screens and locks.  Its good to have trees and shrubs that are close to the building trimmed as well.
 
If you have any pets, it would be a good idea to take them out of the house for the inspection or, keep them in a safe and secure location.  It might surprise you to learn that pets can often prevent and home inspector from getting the job done.
 
If you have carbon monoxide detectors that need new batteries or bulbs that need replacing, make sure you do this before the home inspection as simple things like this can end up changing the report.
 
If you would like to know more about how to help the home inspection be a successful one, please feel free to contact us.

​With so many flooring choices these days, it’s hard to know which one to pick.  Are you thinking about changing the flooring in your home?  Well let’s look at just one of these flooring types, laminate flooring.  Is it a wise choice for you?  Obviously, when deciding which type of flooring to go for, it’s important to think about your comfort and what will be best for you.  It’s also good to look at the pros and cons.  Let’s look at some of these with regard to laminate flooring:
 
Laminate flooring is generally cheaper and easy to install, so for a reasonably low price, you can completely change the look of a room.
 
There are many options when it comes to style and color, and while most of these options fall under the hardwood look category, granite or even marble look laminate is also available.
 
It is usually comprised of fiberboard with a melamine resin.  These usually come in panels or pieces which fit together, similar to the way a hardwood floor is fitted.
 
Some of the cons to installing laminate flooring is that it can sometimes move or shift.  Also, this kind of flooring has a melamine resin which contains formaldehyde which is something you may want to avoid in your home.  It should be noted though, that you can find products with less toxins.
 
You must check that the flooring underneath is in good shape.  For example, make sure the subfloor does not contain a lot of moisture (e.g. if there has been a leak) as this could cause the laminate to warp or buckle.
 
So, as we can see, laminate flooring can be a very good option, but make sure you do your research and choose the right one for you.

We have more choices than ever when it comes to choosing a home.  Among the many options are pre-manufactured houses.  If you are thinking this is a good choice for you, what are some helpful things to know beforehand?

The great thing is that there are many options nowadays with pre-manufactured housing, with numerous styles for a variety of budgets.  The important thing to remember though is that while you are purchasing a house, you will need to find land to put it on.  Again, there are a few different options with this.  You could lease the land in a place designed for manufactured housing, purchase a piece of land, or purchase the house and land together.

You will need to be very familiar with the legal requirements that come with any of these options though.  Its essential to know things like zoning laws and utility connections etc.

Another key factor to consider is the warranty.  The manufactures warranty might not cover things like transportation and installation, so it’s important to find that out ahead of time.  Also, be careful to not void out the warranty for things like not correctly following the homeowner maintenance guidelines.
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You will want to make sure that the home is checked thoroughly for any kinds of defects or problems.  It’s a good idea to have a home inspection done even on a pre-manufactured home to ensure everything is as it should be for the efficient running of the household.  As with any investment though, its always wise to do as much research as you can before you make a final decision.

​The kitchen is viewed by many as one of the most important rooms of the house.  We understand this as home inspectors and so we take a lot of time when inspecting it.  A kitchens condition can tell you a lot, not just about the kitchen itself but give you an idea of what condition the rest of the home is in.  So, when you are viewing a home, take a close look at the kitchen.  Some things to check are:
 

• The kitchen sink is a good place to start.  Turn on the faucet to see how well its working, how is the water pressure?  If it is low, you will want to know the reason.  How is the sinks drainage? Does it take a long time to drain?  Its important to check under the sink as well, are there any signs of leaking or water damage?

 

• If the kitchen has a dishwasher, have a good look at the surrounding cabinets for any signs of water damage.  Is there any indication the hoses or seals are cracked or leaking?  Any persistent leaks could produce a number of serious issues such as mold or rotting of the sub-floor.

 

• Next, look at the oven, is it gas or electric?  If it is gas, be aware of any signs of a gas leak.  Check the electrical outlets as well to see if they are working.  If any of these things are not working correctly, its important to know why, as they could be indications of a bigger problem with the house.

 

• Looking at the kitchen countertops, what kind of shape are they in? Unless you will be replacing them, its important that they are not too damaged as this is where food is prepared.  Bacteria will very easily form in cracked tile and grout etc.

 
While many problems will be revealed by your home inspection, its good to have a knowledge of some of the things to look out for ahead of time.  In this way, when viewing a house, you can spot some of the warning signs yourself.