Home Inspection Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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McZak Home Inspections prides itself in being friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Mike at McZak Home Inspections completed the Home Inspection Training Program through the Carson Dunlop School of Home Inspection. He is licensed through the Home Inspector’s Association of BC and insured by Consumer Protection BC. 

Prior to becoming a home inspector, Mike worked as a Red Seal carpenter, bring over 20 year's of valuable, industry experience that's transferable to the home inspection industry. Some of this experience includes: building, framing, roofing and renovating multiple residential and commercial properties, as well as deck and fence building, and concrete work (from residential foundations to large, commercial projects). 

The cost of a home inspection may vary depending on the property's location, age and approximate square footage; however, price should not be the deciding factor when selecting a home inspector. The qualifications and credentials of the inspector, as well as your comfort level with the home inspector, himself, should be what guides you to a confident choice. We ask you to give us a call, chat with our inspector and receive a specific quote, tailored to your specific property.

The cost of a McZak home inspection for an average single-family home starts at $500+GST, with basic condos starting at $375+GST. But remember, buying a home is a big investment; you should be focused on receiving the best service and value from a quality inspector, not just finding the best price. As with everything: you get what you pay for. 

All the major systems of the property will be inspected during your home inspection. This includes the: building site (property grade, driveway, sidewalks, etc), roof, exterior/foundation, garage, structural components & insulation (including attics and crawlspaces, when possible), plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, laundry, kitchen & interior (including bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, etc). The general goal of a home inspection is to identify any existing, major problems with a property that may affect a typical buyer's decision to purchase.

No. The goal of a home inspection is to educate clients about the specifics of a property so you can make your own, educated decision about the purchase of your property. As we recognize this is a big decision, it is our goal that – through our personal inspection, presentation and detailed report - you feel fully informed and confident about your decision. McZak Home Inspections is passionate about being open and available for clients to ask as many questions necessary about the inspection process, property, or report. 

While many people are advised to wait until all other subjects are removed, we recommend booking a home inspection as soon as initial negations are in place. Some inspection components will suggest further investigation by a specific professional (ie – while structural concerns can be identified by a home inspector, they may require further investigation by a structural engineer). Having the inspection completed early will allow time for these additional investigations to occur within the subject removal window. This will also provide you with as much time as possible to make an educated decision about your purchase. While we recommend booking your inspection 3-4 days in advance, last minute inspections can typically be accommodated, as well. Give us a call (250-833-7759) or book online to secure your next home inspection. 

McZak Home Inspections uses HomeGuage software – the most advanced, electronic home inspection reports on the market. Your home inspection report will include photos and explanations of all the major systems of the property, as well as a general summary – detailing the most notable items from the inspection that require additional attentio

You can expect a thorough, electronic report delivered to your inbox within 24 hours of your inspection – though, in most cases, you can expect it the evening following your home inspection. That being said, reports will not be released until payment is received in full.

McZak Home inspections excepts cash, e-transfer and major credit cards. Cash and e-transfers can be given/sent to the inspector immediately following the inspection; e-transfers can be sent to mike@mczakinspections.com. If you prefer to pay with credit card, our inspector will send you an electronic invoice within a few hours for you to pay online with your credit card. 

Though it is not mandatory for you to attend the home inspection, many home buyers find it a valuable learning experience. If you are not able to be there for the full duration, it is highly recommended that you attend at least the last 30-60 minutes, at which time the inspector will go over the notable points of the inspection and address any questions or concerns you might have. Your being present also allows our home inspector to show you valuable safety and maintenance features of the home, including: the main water and furnace shut offs, how and where to change the furnace filter, etc. Not to worry, though, if you are unable to attend the inspection, all of this information will also be detailed in your home inspection report and, of course, you are welcome to contact our inspector at any time to ask any questions you might have.

On average, McZak Inspections books a home inspection for 3-4 hours; however, the duration of a home inspection will vary depending on the age, condition, and complexity of the property. The actual home inspection takes roughly 3 hours, giving 30-60minutes for the inspector to present any specifics of note from the property to address any questions or concerns the client might have. McZak Home inspections is dedicated to ensuring their clients have all the necessary knowledge and feel sufficiently informed to make confident decisions about their property. 

We understand that people have variable knowledge about a home and the home buying process. Because of this, some clients may be very nervous about getting a home inspection. While our home inspector is very friendly and knowledgeable, we welcome you to bring whoever else may make you feel comfortable and supported throughout this process. We understand that life happens and sometimes babysitters are hard to find – if you need to bring your children along, they are definitely welcome. That said, when possible, we suggest limiting participation to 2 adults to limit distractions and allow you to focus on participating in the inspection. 

Before a home inspection, we ask that your home is tidy. We also ask that, where possible, there is easy access to: attic and crawlspace hatches, utility rooms, electrical panels, and air conditioners (when applicable). If the home inspector does not have open access to these areas, they will be noted as an access limitation and be left out of the home inspection report. Please note that a home inspector is not authorized to move furniture or belongings that may be blocking access to inspection areas.

Thermal imaging is a process where special images, called thermograms, are produced by detecting heat signatures of objects in its view. Radiation of heat from objects generates an image using infrared radiation. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects with a temperature above absolute zero, it’s possible to use thermography to see one's environment with or without light and detect things that would not otherwise be visible in a standard photograph. 

One of the biggest challenges with home inspections is that they are non-invasive inspections, meaning that the inspector can’t open walls or inspect things that aren’t in plain sight. With the use of a thermal imaging camera, the inspector can detect certain deficiencies that would likely go undetected, otherwise. Some examples include:   

• Air leaks
• Insulation voids or inconsistencies
• Structural defects 
• Moisture 
• Electrical hazards
• Presence of pests/nests 
• Defects in high efficiency windows (often caused by loss of an invisible gas)  

While the home inspector may not be able to detect all of the above in all circumstances, the thermographs will allow the inspector to give their client a fairly good idea of what concerns will likely require further investigation.  

Vermiculite was used as insulation material in attics and walls until the late 1980’s. Asbestos is likely found in vermiculite, though it is only a problem when disturbed. Unfortunately, vermiculate can only be proven to contain asbestos through official testing in an asbestos lab and not through a visual inspection; because of this, a home inspector can identify vermiculite but cannot confirm for certain that it contains asbestos – they can only recommend that it be tested. Removal of vermiculite/asbestos is very costly, so when vermiculite is found during a home inspection, it is highly recommended to get tested and remediated before closing. Failing to remediate vermiculite containing asbestos will likely effect your ability to obtain home insurance. Contact your home insurance company for more details. 

Poly B plumbing was the prominent plumbing material in BC from 1978-1998. While concerns started with the high failure rate of Poly B’s fittings, many of which have now been replaced by copper fittings, the material in general is starting to become a concern. Because of this, some home insurance companies are starting to implement policies with regards to homes with Poly B piping. It is possible that some companies won’t insure homes with poly B piping while others may have a higher deductible for water damage caused by Poly B piping. If your home has Poly B piping, it is recommended to get further information from your insurer to receive clarification on their policies related to Poly B piping.

The Home Inspector's Association of BC (HIABC) has a high standard of certification and continued accreditation for its members and ensures all their inspectors are highly educated, knowledgeable, and insured. All HIABC home inspectors follow a strict code of ethics and detailed scope of inspection. Additionally, all HIABC home inspectors are required to be licensed through Consumer Protection BC.