I'd like to take this opportunity to address some of the common questions I hear. Of course if any of YOUR questions aren't addressed, feel free to contact me - I'd love to hear from you!!!

Q: What makes you different?

A: I've noticed an alarming trend in the Home Inspection profession. The bulk of home inspectors you will meet seem to have the knowledge base of a basic handyman, and the communication skills of a sixth grader. Of course, this isn't true of all inspectors - but the numbers aren't in our favour.

Well, I'm of the mind that if you are willing to pay someone to provide you with information that will influence a huge decision, then you should have access to an educated, trained professional. Whether the house is a 6000 square foot, million dollar estate, or a small starter home, the cost of owning the house will more than likely account for a large portion of your income. You deserve more than someone who turned to inspecting because his other Ralph Cramden-esque plans didn't pan out.

I guess what makes me different is that home inspection isn't just a career for me (Boy did I just sound like EVERY other home inspector!!). It is all I do. I inspect homes for buyers, sellers, investors, insurance companies... When I am not inspecting, I am learning about houses/buildings. I freely admit that I am a house nerd. I have inspected houses here in Canada and also in Europe - OK the place in Europe was a friends place under construction, I begged him to let me go see it. My wife didn't think it was the best way to spend our vacation, but....... well maybe she was right.

Q: When do I find out if the house passed or failed your inspection?

A: Never. To me, it's not a test. I look at a house both as a single entity, and as a collection of individual components and tell you where I see defects. There will ALWAYS be defects. Houses are built by, occupied by, and maintained & repaired by humans - perfection would be an unreasonable expectation. Using the information I provide you in the report, you make your own decisions.

Q: Is your report an "easy to understand checklist"?

A: Nope. My report is a semi-narrative style report. I don't think that most items in an inspection report fall into a simple category (satisfactory, poor, not applicable, not inspected). I don't think in checklists and I don't speak in checklists... why should my report be a checklist. I prefer to explain the situation using complete sentences. I feel that is the only way for me to get my point across completely. My report is an "EASIER to understand semi-narrative." Unlike many home inspectors, I won't try to show you how smart I am by using a bunch of big words out of context. My reports are written in plain English - interesting concept :)

Q: When do I get my report?

A: I don't generally provide on-site delivery of the inspection report simply because it takes me a while to write it. Usually your report is ready within 24 hours - you can download it directly from this site. I like to be able to go through all the notes I've made and pictures I've taken and compile them into the report. Also, there are often questions that I have and need to look up back at my office, either in a book, on-line, or by contacting the appropriate expert. Any home inspector that thinks he has complete encyclopedic knowledge of all house related topics is fooling himself - and possibly you.

Q: Where did you get your home inspector training?

A: I received my formal home inspector training from Carson, Dunlop and Associates. They are a home inspection and engineering firm in Toronto. They provide the Home Inspection curriculum taught in many colleges. The main difference in taking the course from them is I learned directly from the source, not a third party. I am told it is the equivalent of a one year certificate program, but I can't really agree or disagree - I've never taken a one year certificate program. I also spent 4 years at the University of Windsor.

Since becoming a full time inspector I have received much more education. I have taken courses ranging from manufacturers training, building code training, specialized inspection training etc.

Q: OK then, Mr. Smartypants - so you're saying that your training and report style makes you better than everyone else?

A: Absolutely not. I am the first person to tell you that my style of inspecting may not be for you. There are plenty of people that want the quick checklist delivered on-site. I am more of a "Boutique Home Inspector". My clients tend to be the type that want the added personal touch that comes from my individual style of reporting. And as far as training goes, that was only the beginning. Nobody comes out of training as a competent home inspector. Whether it be a 7 day program, 30 day program or as in my case, a 1 Year program, the knowledge is basically theory at that point. The real knowledge comes from applying all that "book learnin'" in the real world.

Q: Do you check for mould?

A: No, no, no - a thousand times NO! Mould is everywhere, and there are thousands of different types of mould. Only a properly educated scientist is qualified to check for mould, and report on the type of mould. Any home inspector who tells you he is "mould certified" is likely the proud graduate of a 3 day seminar. If you are concerned about mould for health reasons, you probably want more than a three-day certificate. If you absolutely insist on paying someone unqualified to tell you if there is mould in the house...... Yes there is, that'll be and additional $300 on top of your inspection fee, please!

Q: Do you tell us what is "right with the house" too?

A: Nope. By the time you call me, you already know what’s right. Either you’ve found it yourself or the seller has pointed it out. My job is to tell you what is wrong. You find the rose, leave the thorns to me.

Q: Do you really expect us to hire you as our inspector based on a little bit of information from a web site?

A: Absolutely not. If you want more information, simply give me a call send me an email. The unfortunate part of home inspections is that by the time we meet, you’ve already agreed to have me perform the inspection. If I turn out to be an idiot, you end up unhappy. I am more than happy to meet with you in person before you make a decision, if both of our schedules permit.