In the last several years, it has become customary to obtain a home inspection before making a final commitment to purchase a property.

You, the buyer, may put a condition on the "agreement to purchase" subject to satisfactory home inspection before a given date. I will help you with information about home inspectors and the costs involved--usually about $350 plus GST.

Some of the things a home inspector will check are:

• The central heating system and its components
• The central cooling system and its components
• The interior plumbing system and its components
• The interior electrical system and its components
• The roof and its components
• The siding and its components
• The walls, ceilings, and floors, and their components
• The foundation (and basement) and its components and
• The built-in kitchen appliances and their components.

Your inspector may perform or be able to arrange for additional inspection and analysis services, including:

• Termite inspection
• Septic system evaluation
• Well system evaluation
• Environmental evaluation
• Radon screening
• Water quality testing
• Swimming pool inspection
• Geological evaluation.

You can ask about the availability and fees for these additional services when arranging for your home inspection. Many inspectors provide a guarantee. We can provide information and make recommendations, or give you brochures and let you select your own inspector.