Ted is The Guru of home inspection in Greater Vancouver. By using Ted's service, we already saved on several thousand dollars worth of potential damage that was either covered up or poorly repaired by the seller. Ted goes above and beyond his duty to educate us and help us resolve both the expected and unexpected issues, even after the completion date. He responded to our numerous emails with great efficiency and always fully addressed our concerns. We will (and already have) recommend Ted's service to any of our family and friends, and will definitely use his service again for future residential and commercial purchases!
- Approximate cost of services:
- $1,400.00
- Company Response
Hi Flo, So good to hear from you from our September inspection adventure. Now that you're settling into your home and are taking care of some of the deficiency discoveries, we will need to continue our photo advisory, back-and-forth practice for a while yet. Although the home has many attractive features, those features belie the true nature of the overall condition of the home. Thankfully we were able to discover most of the shortcomings and deficiencies. The builder has been relatively cooperative in repairs but I believe he's more interested in appearing to do things properly than actually doing so. In some cases to make repairs the builder would have to do a major retrofit which he does not appear to be willing. That's why we need to hold his repairs to the light and his feet to the fire. Yes he is a sneaky fellow. People tend to believe that a new home will be relatively problem free and that a thorough home inspection would be a waste of money. As you have mentioned you have saved many thousands of dollars that would likely not have been possible with a 5 hour turnaround inspection. The inspection on your 4500sq. ft home was 9 1/2 hours, your report was approx. 14 hours, I believe your report review was another 2 to 3 hours. Buying a home is a huge investment, why would anybody look for a cheap, fast inspection when a professional inspection can provide substantial savings and endless utility.
Roughly speaking 4-5hr. Home Inspectors like to make around $100 an hour and they do. Why make only $500 a day when 2 inspections per day will fetch $1000. It makes me dizzy to think that an inspector could do 10 or more inspections a week. A two-day inspection allows me considerable inspection follow-ups regarding the seller’s disclosure, building code, builders and insurance. People consider a home inspection as producing a product from which the homebuyer can proceed with a certain level of confidence that they are well informed. The actual reality is the discovered information about the true condition of the home is simply a point of departure for: financial compensation reflecting deficiencies, negotiations with the seller to make repairs/replacements for items demonstrated to be faulty, there will be code noncompliance, there will be insurance issues that need to be resolved to even get a mortgage. Many homes are not insurable as they stand. Yes you can get and pay for insurance but your insurance would likely be void should you experience a calamity for undisclosed conditions such as electrical done without permits, plumbing done without permits, decks installed without permits, etc. Noncompliance is what insurance companies dream and pray for.
Flo, thanks for the opportunity to be of service, I thoroughly enjoy a good challenge, your inspection was a real treat.
Your advocate,
Ted Gilmour