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Buying a Resale Home
Buying a resale house is similar to buying a used car,
as unexpected repairs may be just around the corner. The goal of the inspection
is to identify conditions that typically affect a buyer's decision to buy
or not buy a property, to advise the significance of these conditions and
provide recommendations, including priority of repairs and cost estimates
for budgeting.
>>(click here for more details about our inspections)
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Buying a New Home
Buyers of new houses expect no defects or repair costs
in the first few years. They believe that municipal building inspections
will catch any significant problems and that the Ontario New Home Warranty
Program (TARION) will cover any repair costs. Buyers may not realize that the warranty
excludes some of the most common complaints, such as normal shrinkage and
hairline foundation cracks which have not yet leaked.
Buyers of new homes can not be assured that the builder will correct any
deficiencies to the buyer's satisfaction, unless details are specified in
the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. The deficiencies specified in Guardian's
pre-purchase inspection report can greatly assist the Buyer provide a list
of incomplete and deficient items for completion before the time the Buyer
assumes possession.
Guardian's pre-purchase inspection report can also help a Buyer identify
incomplete and deficient items just prior to possession, when the Buyer
is asked to inspect the new home and sign the Ontario New Home Warranty
Program Certificate of Completion and Possession. Following possession,
the builder can claim that common defects were the result of shrinkage,
minor settlement, etc which are specifically excluded from the warranty
coverage. Many builders will not repair defects such as foundation cracks
until they actually leak. It is clearly to the buyer's advantage to identify
all deficiencies as early as possible.
Guardian's inspection is focused on defects in material and workmanship.
Many of these defects relate to failure to meet building codes or standards.
Guardian's inspections can not confirm compliance to all codes and standards
since most completed areas have concealed components and few houses meet
all of the mandatory requirements. New homes are covered by the Ontario
New Home Warranty Program (TARION) against defects in materials and workmanship
for the first year. Water penetration from the exterior and mechanical equipment
such as the furnace have warranty coverage of two years from the date of
possession. The house is covered for a period of seven years against major
structural failure which leaves the house substantially uninhabitable. The
buyer must notify both the builder and TARION in writing within the warranty
period.
>>(click here for more details about our inspections)
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Buying a Multiple Dwelling House or Building
Buyers of multiple dwelling buildings should be concerned
with mandatory retroactive standards, as well as the same issues as resale
homes, as described above. All multiple dwelling properties must meet the
Ontario Fire Code requirements for fire separations, exits, and smoke alarms.
The specific requirements depend on the number of dwelling units, building
size, etc. As the Fire Code is subject to interpretation by the local Fire
Department, Guardian's inspections can only identify the general compliance
issues, rather than provide a substitutue for a certificate of compliance
from the Fire Department. Multiple dwelling buildings are also subject to
rental standards, generally enforced by the municipality.
>>(click here for more details about our inspections)
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Buying a Commercial Property
Commercial properties are subject to similar issues as resale houses. The goal of our inspection is to identify conditions that typically affect a buyer's decision to buy or not buy a property, to advise the significance of these conditions and provide recommendations, including priority of repairs and cost estimates for budgeting.
>>(click here for more details about our inspections)
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Investigating Specific Concerns
Buyers and Owners frequently need a second opinion on the causes of a problem and what options are available for repair. In some cases, repair contractors will recommend what is best for the contractor rather than the owner. Guardian does not benefit by the repair decision and will often discover a less expensive repair option.
>>(click here for more details about our inspections)
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