The Ultimate Guide on Home Inspections with Just Call Joe Inspections – Manitoba and Saskatchewan Home Inspector

The home inspection process can be quite confusing for first-time home buyers or those who haven't purchased a home in a while. Many individuals approach us feeling stressed, confused, and overwhelmed. They often ask whether they should attend the inspection, inquire about the inspection timing, and ask about deciding whether to proceed with buying the house, among many other questions.

Today we will go through the entire process of a Home Inspection with Just Call Joe Inspections.

Step One: Choosing a Home Inspector

There are many home inspectors out there, and choosing one that best fits your needs is crucial. Here is a list of things to check when interviewing a Home Inspector or looking online:

• Check the credentials of your Home Inspector. Check where they were accredited, and what experience they have.

• Check your Home Inspector’s online reviews. If they are not a trusted inspector, you will learn quickly from their online reviews.

• Ensure that they are a member of a professional association. To get insurance for a Home Inspection business, you must be a member of a professional association.

• Speaking of insurance, make sure that they are an insured company, and that they have Errors & Omissions insurance.

• Compare the services that your Inspector offers. If you are buying a Home that has a septic system, for example, you may need a Septic Inspection in addition to a Home Inspection.

At Just Call Joe Inspections, our inspectors are certified by InterNACHI. Our Head Inspector, Joe, holds dual certifications from InterNACHI and ICA, along with over a dozen other home inspection certifications. With more than fifteen years of experience in various trades like plumbing, electrical, and carpentry, Joe brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Just Call Joe Inspections is fully insured with liability and errors & omissions insurance.

We provide a wide range of services, including home inspections, commercial inspections, rural inspections, water testing, septic inspections, and more. Our company has earned a five-star rating and boasts numerous online reviews for you to read.

Step Two: Booking

When booking the inspection you may have a couple of options. We offer booking through justcalljoe.ca/book-now as well as through email and phone. Typically, when booking we will ask some questions. If you don’t have the answers to the questions, we will work through them with either you or your agent. The following questions are some that we may ask:

• Your Name, and the name of anyone else who is purchasing the home

• Your phone number

• Your email address, which we use to send you documents before and after the inspection

• The name of your Realtor

• The MLS number or address of the property

• The year the home was built

• The type of building (bungalow, two-story, etc.)

• Approximate square footage of the home

• What type of sewer system is on the property (hint: if you don’t know, its likely municipal waste removal)

• If drinking water is supplied by a ground well

• When you will need the inspection complete by (conditional sale expiry date)

• Are there any specific concerns you have with the home

Most of these questions can be answered with the listing information, assuming all necessary information is present. If any details are missing, there's no need to worry. Our inspectors prefer to be well-prepared and will handle any gaps in information with ease.

The Home Inspector will work with you, your Realtor, and the listing agent to make sure that a time that works for everyone is scheduled.

Step Three: Before the Inspection

You will receive an invoice and an inspection agreement before your inspection. The agreement must be signed before the inspection. Please read this agreement carefully as it covers the limitations of the inspection. The InterNACHI standards of practice that you will see referenced in the agreement can be found here: https://www.nachi.org/sop.htm

Leading up to the inspection you will receive multiple reminders, as will your Realtor and the listing agent.

You will receive an invoice via email, which must be paid before the inspection report will be released. Payments can be sent via E-transfer, cash, or cheque. The email for E-transfers can be found on the invoice.

Step Four: Beginning the Inspection

Typically, what happens is your Realtor will meet us at the home and unlock it for us. Some choose to stay with us the entire time, some choose to come back after the inspection is complete. In some instances, such as your Realtor not being available, they will not attend the inspection at all and will give us a code to get into the home.

Attending the Inspection

We strongly encourage all clients to attend a walk-through at the end of the inspection, where we will go through our findings. If you would like to attend the entire inspection, you are more than welcome.

Step Six: During the Inspection

On our website, we have a comprehensive list of what we inspect, as well as the limitations of the inspection which can be found here: https://justcalljoe.ca/home-inspection-details.  

We inspect all the major components of the home from roof to foundation. We inspect the lots & grounds, structure, attached garage/carport, electrical, exterior, roof, attic, heating & cooling, plumbing, interior, and more. We also perform a basic thermal imaging scan with a thermographic camera.

We aim to ensure we can check everything, oftentimes others miss things in the attic or crawlspace due to it being inaccessible. At Just Call Joe we strive to ensure that if we cannot get into a space, that we at minimum send a camera in. As of the date of posting, we have not missed an attic or crawlspace during a pre-purchase Home Inspection!

Step Seven: The Walk-Through

During a walk-through, we will walk the home with you and discuss what we found during the inspection. The inspection is not a pass or fail, whether you buy the home after the inspection will solely depend on what matters to you. All homes will have their issues, you will never see a Home Inspection report with no deficiencies.

During the walk-through, we will explain the major systems of the home, talk about maintenance that will need to be done regularly, and answer all your questions.

Step Eight: After the Inspection

After the inspection, the Inspector will prepare a report on their findings. The report will be sorted into different sections such as roof, plumbing, etc. Any defects will be labeled with the following labels:

• Defects: the item or component was not performing properly, or the condition was not appropriate for its age.

• Proactive Safety Concerns: This label identifies items that may not pose an immediate danger but could lead to a safety hazard in the future.

• Hazards: Shows an immediate danger to the safety, health, or life of the homeowner.

• Marginal Defects: Functional at the time of inspection, components of the item were found to have a safety hazard or installation-related defect.

• Minor Defects/Maintenance Items/FYI: This identifies a component that was not performing its function at the time of inspection.

• AGED: The system or component was nearing, at, or beyond its expected lifespan.

Our reports are designed to be easy to read and easy to navigate, and we use advanced software that is easy to use. Additionally, our inspectors supplement the reports with pictures, videos, and infographics, enhancing your understanding of any home defects. The inspectors are trained to communicate in straightforward language that is accessible to everyone, ensuring clarity and transparency throughout the inspection process.

Step Ten: Beyond the Inspection

When you choose Just Call Joe Inspections you will have access to additional benefits:

• Reinspection: If there is ever anything that we cannot inspect, or you would like reinspected, we will come and reinspect items.

• Just CALL Joe: We will be just a phone call away should you ever have any questions about your home and its systems.

• Discounts: We have discounts available for our clients who are planning to do renovations.

Step Eleven: Home Maintenance Inspections

Just Call Joe Inspections offers Home Maintenance Inspections. Once a year we will come in and complete an inspection tailored to your needs and your home. Our Home Maintenance Inspections start at just $99.

At Just CALL Joe, we are just a phone call away.

Joe: (204) 384-8171

Julia: (204) 384-6044