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FAQs
At Helix Property Inspections, we do our best to answer all of your questions. Below you will find a list of what we believe are the most frequently asked questions. If you have any questions that have not been answered below, do not hesistate to contact us.
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Yes. Although not mandatory, a home inspection is highly recommended when purchasing a property. Skipping one leaves you solely responsible for any defects, safety hazards or expensive repairs discovered after closing. An inspection provides critical leverage for negotiations and ensures you are aware of the home's true condition before making one of your largest investments.
A typical inspection should take 2 to 3 hours to complete (with a sewer inspection an extra half an hour.) This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, we recommend that they be informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.
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.
Our base inspection fees start from $320.00 for hi-rise condos (up to 1,000 sq ft) and $440.00 for single-family detached homes, scaling fairly based on the property type and total square footage. Every Standard Inspection includes a Basic Thermal Verification of your electrical panel and main HVAC registers. Remember, you are considering a major purchase—your choice of home inspector should be based on getting the best protection and value, not just the cheapest price.
- Complete structural and major systems inspection conducted by a certified, experienced professional
- Comprehensive digital report delivered within 24 hours with detailed colour illustrations and defect implications
- Basic Thermal Verification (Included in Standard Inspection): Spot-check of the main elecrical panel for overheating circuits and HVAC supply registers to verify adequate heating and cooling delivery.
- Drone roof inspection (where required and permitted)
- Complimentary digital copy of "Now That You've Had a Home Inspection"-a comprehensive homeowner maintenance guide to help you care for your home.
While every Standard Inspection covers all major structural and mechanical systems, you can upgrade to Full-Home Diagnostic Thermal Mapping (a complete infrared sweep of all exterior walls, ceilings, and wet areas to catch hidden moisture and insulation gaps) for +$75 (+$50 for condos).
For maximum protection, our Premium Protection Package (+$100) bundles Full-Home Diagnostic Thermal Mapping together with an HD Lateral Sewer Scope video inspection—saving you $140 compared to booking them separately.
Definitely. We encourage you to attend. The inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers.
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.
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 clarification.
You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 2 1/2 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.
We recommend that you not bring your family; this is a technical evaluation, and you will be interacting with the inspector — the fewer distractions, the better.
You do 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.
No. 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. Your real estate professional can help you here.
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; that 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.
We are in a unique position as having been a Home Inspector (and mortgage broker) in the UK and also in Canada. Having completed training in 2008 in the UK through Home Inspector Training, an ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment) quality accredited Training Program. With completion of the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training Program in Canada, as well as the further requirements necessary as part of our professional organization membership with InterNACHI, Helix Property Inspections continue to deliver excellent communication skills and hands-on experience to best serve you, the client. Our knowledge and experience are reinforced with continuing education programs to keep our skills up to date in order to give you the best service possible.
We are members of InterNACHI, (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) which requires us, (including but not limited to) to adhere to InterNACHI's Standards of Practice, to abide by their Code of Ethics and to maintain Continuing Education.
Our inspectors are 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.
Yes, we do. Minor sewer repairs typically cost between $1,000 and $4,000, while a full mainline replacement can easily exceed $15,000. For $160 standalone—or included inside our +$100 Premium Protection Package alongside Full-Home Thermal Mapping—we perform a non-destructive HD camera inspection of your lateral sewer line (where accessible) and include both a written condition report and full video log right inside your inspection report.