A: Without a pre-purchase home inspection (never recommended).
B: With the help of a qualified inspector (always recommended).
C: Conduct your own home inspection (only recommended if you are well qualified, using the right tools).

A: Without a pre-purchase home inspection
Some buyers are still unaware of the benefits of a quality home inspection and confuse the role of the home inspector with the home appraiser. The difference between Inspectors and Appraisers is that the appraiser's main interest is to justify to the lender to loan the amount of money being asked. The home inspector's primary responsibility is to visually evaluate the condition of the components of the home.

The inspection fee should be looked at as a small investment which will pay for itself in savings and help to give you peace of mind. Often we bump into people who have purchased their home using only their own home inspection abilities and their response to us is exactly the same, "I wish we would have had our home inspected by a professional inspector before we moved in."

B: With the help of a qualified inspector
Buying a home is a big investment and it doesn't make sense to skimp on the inspection fee when you are paying for your decision for the next 15 to 30 years.  A home inspection is an objective, visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home from the rooftop to the foundation. Having a home inspected is like having a physical check-up. If serious problems or symptoms are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation by a specialist. By helping you to assess the true condition of a house, a home inspection can either clear the way for you to purchase your dream home, make you aware of any problems that you will inherit with the purchase of the home, or help you avoid purchasing a home with existing problems that you want no part of.

A thorough home inspection takes from 1½  to 3 hours, depending on the size and age of the home. It is highly recommended for you to be present for the inspection. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions directly, as you learn about the condition of the home, how its systems work and how to maintain it. You will also find the written report easier to understand if you have seen the property first-hand through the inspector's eyes.

The inspection, itself, is an examination of
EXTERIOR: grading and drainage, foundations walls, siding, windows and doors, decks, stoops, patios, walks, roofs, chimneys and attached or detached garage.

INTERIOR: Foundation walls, crawl space, visible framing parts, mechanical systems (plumbing, electric, heat and air conditioning), floors, ceilings, windows and doors, attic insulation and ventilation.

Qualified home inspectors provide peace of mind to home buyers that take advantage of their services. A professional home inspection will help you make an educated, long-term decision that you won't regret later. After all, it's better to know the condition of the home while you are still in the negotiating process than it is to learn about it after you have moved in and it's too late.

C: Conduct your own home inspection
Self-inspections should be carried out only by those who have a good overall understanding of the structural and mechanical components of a house. If you are employed in the construction or renovating industry you may have a fair bit of knowledge and experience already. What you may need is a set of guidelines and tools to help you conduct your own inspection. One of those tools is 'THE NEW HOMEOWNERS MANUAL'

This 105-page pre-purchase home inspection manual has helped scores of Canadians from coast to coast since it was written in 1993. It is now available on-line for those wishing to conduct their own home inspection and save hundreds of dollars on inspection fees. If you are currently 'shopping around' for a new or resale home, or are planning to do so soon, now is the time to purchase your own pre-purchase home inspection reporting system.