For homebuyers, it’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful house. But when you’re making one of the biggest purchases of your life, it doesn’t make sense to rely on appearances alone. A thorough home inspector can uncover significant, costly issues that you might not find otherwise.

Of course, you don’t have to say goodbye to your dream home if you discover a structural defect or malfunctioning system. But knowing about these problems can help ensure that the price you wind up paying is fair. Here are a few home inspection tips for buyers so you can find the best inspector for your needs.

Where to start

One of the best ways to find an inspector is by asking around. Do you have any friends or acquaintances who have recently bought a home? If so, they may be able to recommend someone.

Chances are, your Realtor can also refer you to someone who’s trustworthy and highly skilled. As agents, we have the advantage of knowing Calgary’s home-buying landscape—and the reputations of the professionals who belong to it.

Find a licensed professional

Be sure to double check that an inspector is qualified to do the job. Here in Alberta, all home inspection businesses have to be licensed. In addition to asking, you should check the Service Alberta website to make sure that any professional you’re considering working with has a license.

Go with experience

While a license is crucial, having one doesn’t ensure that an inspector is the best person for the job. To gather more information, I suggest interviewing a few different professionals. Ask them about their education and years of experience. How long have they been working in the field? Is their knowledge of building codes up to date? Have they taken any recent, relevant courses? And what type of technology do they use during the process?

Make sure they have references

Once you have one or two professionals in mind, look into the level of service they’ve provided in the past. I suggest asking each inspector you’re considering hiring for the phone numbers of three past clients.

When you get in touch someone who’s acting as a reference, ask whether they were satisfied with the service the inspector provided. Would they work with her or him again?

View sample reports

So, you’ve found an inspector who looks good on paper. You’ve spoken to them and their references, and everything seems to be in order. But how do you know what type of work you can expect? They may be thorough enough to meet the standards of past clients, but what if you have different expectations?

I advise asking to see a sample inspection report. In many cases, the inspector will be able to email this document to you. Make sure the report is easy to understand, and it shouldn’t be short. In fact, with today’s technology available, a thorough inspector should be providing a very comprehensive report with  dozens of pictures including thermal imaging, moisture detection and more. Most reports that come across my desk are at 50-100 pages depending on the size of the subject property.

They should encourage your involvement

Lastly, look for an inspector who’s happy to have you attend your inspection. Being present allows you to ensure that the job is being done thoroughly. It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions as they arise during the inspection process. A true professional will feel comfortable having you there.

The home-buying process can seem daunting at first. The key is to take it one step at a time. When it comes to achieving peace of mind, knowing what to look for in a home inspector can make a world of difference.

Remember, a home inspection is the opportunity for you to get to know your new house better and an inspector’s job is to identify the deficiencies. It may seem overwhelming at first glance, but every property has characteristics which can be improved so try not to be intimidated by the defects. Although an inspection is typically in the $550-800 range (depending on the size of the property) by remedying these defects it will pay dividends in the long term.

Need recommendations for who the best home inspectors in Calgary are or looking to buy your first home? We have the experience to help you through the buying process. Get in touch, and we can discuss your needs!