Cost and Other FAQ’s

Meadowvale Home Inspections Services
250-891-6453

Cost and Other FAQ’s

10 Common Home Inspection Questions answered…

If you have a question, you may find the answer below.  If you don’t see what you are looking for, please contact us and we will respond as quickly as possible.

If you have any other questions, contact us and we will be sure to get an answer for you as soon as possible.

How much does a home inspection cost:

$500– Townhouses and Single Family homes up to approximately 2500 sq. ft. ($50 surcharge for every additional 500 sq. ft)
$425– Condominiums up to 1500 sq. ft.
$100 – Detached Outbuildings up to 120 sq. ft. with a home inspection
$100 – Underground Oil Tank Scan -OR- Perimeter Drain Camera check with a home inspection
$150 – Both Oil Tank and Perimeter Drain services with a home inspection

How long does a home inspection take?

Depending on the size and condition of the home, expect a full home inspection to take up to 3 hours on site. During this time, our home inspectors look at all systems in the home, making notes and taking lots of pictures. During a walk-through you after the inspectoin, the inspector will give you a verbal report outlining the main findings. You will be given a emailed report in the form of a PDF file within 12-24 hours.

Do I need to be present during the inspection?

Generally only the inspector is present during the inspection process. It is very highly recommended, however, that you and/or your agent walk through the home with the inspector when he is finished. At that time, the inspector will point out items, both good and bad, that he noticed during the home inspection.

Can the inspector find items that are “hidden” by the homeowner?

We rarely find homeowners intentionally try to deceive potential purchasers. It is far more common for homeowners to be unaware of problems that are not visible to the naked eye. Meadowvale inspectors are, however, experienced in detecting evidence of recent cosmetic improvements that could be an attempt to disguise trouble areas.

Can you recommend tradespeople to do any needed repair work?

We can provide you with a list of qualified tradespeople who have good reputations around the city. However, it is your responsibility to select any individuals you wish to employ.
Meadowvale does not have any connection to individuals or businesses that we include on the list. In fact, they probably don’t even know we are passing their names on to you.

Can you tell me what repairs will cost?

The cost of repairs is impossible to determine until a qualified tradesperson has looked at the situation. For that reason, we recommend that you call on them if you have concerns about cost. Reading your Home Inspection Report will, however, give you an idea of the seriousness of any defects we find.

Who receives a copy of the inspection report.

You do.
You paid for the report and it belongs to you.   You are under no obligation to share it with your agent or anyone else, but you are free to do so if you wish. The decision is yours.

Can the home inspector find buried oil tanks?

Your home inspector may be able to give you an idea as to whether an underground oil tank is present or not based on clues he discovers during the inspection. To know for sure requires either digging or scanning the property using GPR (ground penetrating radar). Meadowvale has our own GPR unit that we can use to confirm the presence or absence of a buried tank.

I’m selling my home. Can I still order a home inspection?

Yes. And it’s often a good idea for a seller to order a pre-listing home inspection. A large number of issues a home inspector discovers can be repaired quickly and inexpensively. By doing this, the you will be far less likely to be “bargained down” by a buyer armed with his own inspection report because the items you repaired will not be appearing on his report.

What do I do if I have questions about the inspection after the walk-through and the report?

Call your inspector. He will be happy to talk with you anytime before, during or after the inspection. It’s not uncommon for questions to arise weeks or maybe months after a purchase, and your inspector will be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you have.