Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a home inspection take?
A typical inspection should take about 2 hours to complete. This can vary, given the condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, we recommend that they are informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.
What do you look at?
We inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior. Our goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical buyer's decision to purchase.
How much does a Winnipeg home inspection cost?
The cost is based on the size of the house and outbuildings that will be inspected with fees starting at $529 plus tax and consultation starting at $339 plus tax. Contact us at info@tvhi.ca for more information.
What is included in the fee?
A complete home inspection is conducted by an experienced professional, a comprehensive written home inspection report, and technical support for as long as you own your home.
What are your inspectors' qualifications?
Our inspectors are graduates of the CarsonDunlop Home Inspection Training Program. All were hired for their excellent communication skills and their hands-on experience.
Our inspectors also keep their skills current with continuing education programs both through the company and on their own.
Can I follow along? Can I bring my family?
We strongly encourage you to attend. The inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers.
However, we recommend that you not bring your family; this is a technical evaluation, and you should focus on the inspector's comments - the fewer distractions, the better.
How many days notice do I need to give you?
Our team is ready to serve you quickly. However, when the sale of a home is conditional on the results of a home inspection, we recommend that you allow at least three days to arrange for a home inspection.
Do I have to take notes?
You don't have to take notes during the inspection. We will document everything in a written report. It's much better to follow the inspector through, listening to his comments to make sure you understand. It's also a great opportunity to ask questions and to clarify anything that confuses you.
You will receive a written report. It would be unfair to ask you to remember all of the things we cover during a home inspection. The report includes a summary of the condition of the home and details on all the major systems of the home. It is delivered within 24 hours after the inspection.
Can I ask questions?
Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home. You should also feel free to stop the inspector and ask questions as you go. If the inspector's comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for further explanation.
What should I wear?
You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 3 hours walking through the home with the inspector. You won't have to climb on the roof or go into the attic, so your clothes won't get dirty.
If it's really bad, will you tell us not to buy the house?
Our goal is to report on the condition of the house, indicating potential repairs and expenses. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not you buy the house. The home inspection is very important but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Only you know all of the factors at play.
Do you offer a warranty on the house?
A home inspection is a professional opinion based on less-than-complete information. It's a little like getting a check-up from your doctor: It improves your odds of good health but there is no guarantee or warranty.
Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house - they cannot be discovered during a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak when people use the shower but don't leak when you simply turn on the shower. Some roofs and basements only leak when specific weather conditions exist. Some problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved or finishes are removed. As such, we cannot and do not offer a warranty on the house.
Home warranty programs are available from others. We would be happy to help you contact a warranty company.
