Inspection, Estimation, Consultation, Code , Norms and Structure

After the analysis of the results of the visual inspection of the building, a written report will be provided to the customer with an assessment and recommendation. This report complies with the standards of professional practice, is dated and signed by myself.

The report of inspection

• List everything that has been observed and examined during the inspection ;
•  Indicate the date, the time, the climatic conditions as well as the names of the persons present during the inspection ;
• Indicate the name of the customer and the property for which the inspection has been carried out ;
• Describe the systems and components of the building as well as their respective status, if observable, and list the applicable standards ;
• Indicates the tools used to perform a visual examination of some of them, if applicable (binoculars, scale, supplied with artificial limbs with laser, etc.);
• Explanation of the reasons for which some of these systems and their components have not been inspected, if applicable, as they apply to the standards ;
• Note the impossibility of putting some mechanical system  or equipment which there aren’t function , if applicable ;
• Note any observed sign of water penetration into the building or significant condensation on the components of the building ;
• Include a summary of the findings during the inspection as to the elements that require immediate repair or are major or which represent a dangerous situation ;
• Contains a number of photographs to illustrate the main findings of the inspector;
• Note the information obtained from the seller as to the connection  of water supply or sewage disposal networks to a public or private system ;
• Present the report in person to the customer, review the conclusions, the estimates, the photos, as well as the important explanations.

The inspection report may contain any other information, observation or additional description.

Limits and General Exclusions :

During the building inspection, it is not required :

• To operate any component or system apparently non-functional or do not have a common mechanism to operate;
• To operate the devices or systems that are operating by an old fuel or other systems that can present a danger ;
• To move the objects, furniture or equipment which obstruct the access or impair visibility; it is not required to remove the snow or any other outside obstacle which blocks  access or hinders visibility ;
• To note the presence or not of dangerous substances, including toxins, carcinogenic substances, soil contaminants, water or air, problematic soil components, nor to comment on the noise ;
• To open the access panels of the plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Also, the visual inspection does not include :

• Testing of any fire alarm or security system ;
• Testing of any electronic or home automation system ;
• Testing of household appliances ;
• Inspection of recreational facilities;
• Verification of any underground element, especially underground tank, septic tanks, septic fields, wells, underground pipes and foundation drains ;
• Evaluation of the residual life of a component or system, nor the calculation or  evaluation of their effectiveness and relevance ;
• Evaluation of the methods, materials and costs relating to the corrections to be made to systems and their components ;
• Evaluation of the market value of the building ;
• Evaluation of the compatibility of the building for a specific purpose other than the one for which it is used on the inspection date ;
• Offer of any guarantees on equipment and systems;
• Recommendation to buy or not to buy the property.

Evaluation of :

Smoke Detector, Monoxide Sensor, Portable Extinguisher, Exterior Lighting, etc.

Evaluation of :

Grass, Trees, Fence, Sidewalk, Deck, Retaining Wall, etc.

Evaluation of :

If there are insects insider or outside of the building.

Examine the rate of the humidity and the existence of the mold with Infrared Thermometer

Evaluation the accordance of the fireplace with the construction code.

Evaluation of :

• Cracks on the cement slab ;
• Interior garage door’ s fire resistance, Monoxide Carbon Detector, Heating  ;
• Interior and Exterior drain, Walls, Ceilings, Exterior door ;
• Fire resistance between garage and dwellings;
• If Pyrit test is required.

Evaluation of :

• Wall cladding, flashings ;
• Lintels, Aprons ;
• Installed windows, Dormer and doors ;
• Windows Well ;
• Electrically controlled garage doors ;
• Projections (terrace, balconies, porches, etc.);
• Roofeaves, including fascias and soffits ;
• Vegetation, slope of the ground, runoff, driveways, entrance and walls, in terms of their effect on the condition of the building pavements ;
• Cour-Anglais ;
• Explain the inherent risks of the electrically controlled garage door.

Not required to evaluate :

• Removable windows and doors, screens, shutters, awnings and similar seasonal accessories not installed ;
• Fences ;
• Safety glazing ;
• Remote control devices for the garage doors ;
• Geological and geotechnical conditions.

Isolation:

Evaluation of:

• Check the Isolation in basement, Attic, etc.

Soundproofing (Acoustic) :

Evaluation of :

• Insulation around wasted stack ;
• Soundproofing between the dwellings.

Evaluation of :

• Roof coverings ;
• Drainage systems ;
• Flashing ;

Skylights, outdoor fireplaces and emergences.

Not required :  to comment on the status of accessories (solar collectors, antennas, etc.).

Evaluation of :

• Structural elements ;
• Support coating of the roof (deck) ;
• Unfinished attic insulation ;
• Presence of a vapor barrier ;
•  Attic ventilation ;
• Type of insulation ;
• Clearance from combustible materials around the fireplace ;
• Conformity and fire resistance of the common wall between the buildings.

• Operate a representative number of permanent windows and interior doors ;
• Caulking ;
• Hardwar ;
• Dormer, Window Well.

• Operate a representative number of permanent windows and interior doors ;
• Caulking ;
• Hardwar ;
• Dormer, Window Well.

Evaluation of :

• The walls, floors, and ceilings ;
• Stapes, the stairs, the balconies and railings ;
• Cabinets and countertops ;
• Windows and doors, including those separating the living space and a garage ;
• Walls, doors and ceilings separating the living space and a garage, as a function of their gas tightness ;
• Pits for back water valve.

Not required to evaluate the state of :

• Paint, wallpaper and other finishes of walls, ceilings and floors interiors;
• Carpets ;
• Curtains, blinds and other accessories of windows ;
• Household appliances ;
• Recreational facilities.

1. Operate valves permanently installed plumbing, but is not required to operate any type of faucet or valve.

2. Examine inside the water distribution system including :

• Piping materials and water supply distribution ;
• Fixtures and faucets ;
• Functional water supply flow ;
• Leaks ;
• Improper connections.

3. Examine the visible interior drainage system including :

• Siphons; the exhaust pipes and vents; pipe supports ;
• Locks and check valves ;
• Floor drain ;
• Leaks ;
• The discharge efficiency ;
• If camera test is required ;
• Drainage System.
• Examine the hot water system including :
  • Heating equipment ;
  •  Automatic safety devices.
• Review the systems and components of disposal pits restraint.
• Check with the seller regarding the water supply and / or sewage connections to public or private system networks.

Not required to evaluate :

• Water treatment system ;
• Fire sprinkler systems;
• Lawn sprinkler systems;
• Water quality ;
• Garbage disposal system ;
• Foundation drainage systems ;
•  Spas, pools, saunas, hot tubs and similar devices.

Plumping System

• Évent / Vent
• Regard de nettoyage / Cleanout
• Lavabo / Sink
• Colonne principale / Building drain
• Leveuse / Washer
• Clapet / Valve
• Bride de toilette / Bride of the bowl
• Colonne de chute / Waste stack
• Siphon / Trap
• Clapet anti-retour / Back water valve
• Branchement d’évacuation / Branch
• Avaloir de sol / Floor drain
• Drain de fondation / Foundation drain
• Branchement d’égout / Building sewer

1. Evaluation of :

• Service entrance;
• Grounding equipment, general protection device, main panel and distribution panels and their location ;
• Intensity and the nominal voltage of the electrical installation ;
• Functioning of a representative number of installed switches and sockets located inside the house or outside lighting fixtures ;

2. Polarity and grounding of all receptacles located :

• Near the interior plumbing fixtures ;
• In the garage or carport ;
• On the outside walls of buildings inspected the operation of differential circuit breaker.
• Report the presence of any aluminum cable in the branch circuits.

Not required to evaluate :

• Open electrical panels;
• Running of protective devices against excess current, except differential circuit breakers ;
• Low-voltage systems ;
• Safety sensors ;
• Wiring for telephone, security, cable TV or other ancillary wiring that is not part of the main electricity distribution system.

• Examine the central air conditioning system including its power source and cooling equipment
• Examine ventilation and exhaust air
• Operate systems using conventional mechanisms start
• Not required to operate cooling systems when given the weather conditions or other circumstances, it may result in damage to the devices
• Also not required to consider the air conditioning units that are not part of a central system
• Also not required to check whether the supply of cool air in the room is uniform or appropriate

1. Examine the heating systems which is permanently installed, including :

• Main heat generator and its power source ;
• Heat distribution system ;
• Usual mechanisms for starting ;
• Automatic safety devices ;
• Electrical Baseboard ;
• Fireplace ;
• Presence of heat sources in each usable room.

2. Operate the systems using conventional start mechanisms.

3. Not required to operate heating systems when, given the weather conditions or other circumstances, it may result in damage to the devices. Also not obliged to check the automatic safety function.

Not required to evaluate :

• Inside the furnace, including the combustion chamber ;
• Conformity with applicable standards of heating solid fuel, chimneys and accessories;
• Humidifiers ;
• Electronic air cleaners;
• Uniformity or adequacy of heat supply in each room;
• Also not required to open access to any appliance or panels.

Evaluation of :

• Height ;
• Walls, Ceilings, Floors ;
• Basement cement’ s cracks ;
• Humidity.

Take in consideration the systems and structural components, including :

• Foundations ;
• Structures ;
• Floors ;
• Walls ;
• Columns, Joist, Beams ;
• Ceilings ;
• Rooftops.

Check the structural components where deterioration is suspected, unless such verification would damage any finished surface ;

Enter into reasonably sized crawl spaces and attics without the use of tools.

• The duration of the visual and general inspection vis-à-vis a single family house is between two and three hours ;
• Note any signs of water penetration into the building or significant condensation on building components ;
• Use of infrared devices to detect moisture behind walls and air infiltration, and a level to verify levels ;
• Take digital photos for all the different items in the building ;
• Verify the following document with construction professionals, regulatory agencies and real estate agencies :

1. Statement of the seller ;
2. Location certificate :
3. Reports of :
4. Certificates of proper functioning :

• Prepare a detailed report including a summary of major problems noted during the inspection as to the elements which require immediate repair or are major or which represent a dangerous situation;
• In person meeting with the customer in order to give him the report, which will include finding and recommendations, estimates, photos, as well as important explanations.