|
Our Service Area |
As our Testimonials page reveals, our service area across Ontario is extensive. We perform home and building
inspections throughout Southern and Central Ontario, in Durham Region, York Region, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the respective neighbouring counties
- from Oakville to Orangeville, Innisfil to Uxbridge, Pickering and Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Bowmanville.
|
|
What is a home inspection? |
A home inspection is an information service and the information you receive should provide peace of mind by offering a technical review of the home.
A home inspection can help you gain a better understanding of the home, but it is not magic. It is a snapshot of the condition of the home on the day of the
inspection. The review should include a visual inspection of the following major systems and components: roof, structure & foundation, exterior finishes,
windows & doors, lot grading, interior finishes, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical, fireplaces & chimneys, attic and attic insulation and
basement dampness.
| |  |
|
What is inspected? |
|
The inspection is intended to focus on the "big picture" and address those items that could affect your buying decision. Therefore, a professional
home inspector will not be looking at cosmetic items such as scratches to the cupboards, nail pops in drywall, torn wall paper etc. A standard home
inspection usually does not include appliances or low voltage systems like telephone wiring, television cable, alarm systems etc. It will not address
environmental concerns such as, but not limited to, air and/or water quality asbestos, radon gas, molds, toxins, carcinogens etc. A home inspection is
visual in nature, non-destructive and non invasive. The inspector is a guest in the home and needs to respect the seller’s property. The inspector will not
move furniture, lift carpets, cut holes in walls, shovel snow, or dismantle equipment. The inspection is not technically exhaustive and all encompassing due to
the various limitations of a visual inspection. For
this reason it is important to hire an experienced
inspector with excellent communication skills and a
strong technical background.
|
|
|
|
WETT
Certified Professionals |
| What is a WETT inspection?
It’s a visual inspection of a wood burning
appliance.
WETT is Wood Energy Technology Transfer.
There are three levels of inspections available in
addition to maintenance done to chimneys, such as
sweeping. |
|
|
|
 |
Level one
is a visual inspection of readily
accessible components of a wood burning
system. The purpose is to determine if
the system meets current standards and
regulations. No components are
disassembled during a level one
inspection. |
|
|
Level two
is an inspection that includes the
dismantling of smoke pipes in addition
to the visual inspection. Trim may also
be removed from fireplace inserts. The
chimney would likely be swept and often,
a camera inspection of the chimney can
be done, as a part of this service. |
|
|
Level three
would include all the details of a level
two, but would also involve cutting
holes in walls to inspect hidden
components. This type of inspection is
very rarely done and would likely be
ordered by the Fire Marshall in response
to suspicions of serious code issues. |
At Canspec Building Services, we only perform level
one WETT inspections. We will recommend reputable
companies to perform more in-depth inspections
and/or to sweep chimneys.
WETT inspections may be booked at the same time as a
home inspection, with an extra hour scheduled for
the extra report.
This report should be acceptable to most Insurance
companies.
The extra charge for a WETT inspection is $125.00
plus taxes if done at the same time as a home
inspection. If done separately allot a two hour time
period and the cost if $200 plus taxes.
|
|
Energy Audits - Why Should I Get One,
and How do I Apply for One? |
Why should I get an ENERGY AUDIT?
|
|
Natural Resources
Canada-licensed energy auditors provide
unbiased advice on how to improve your
home's energy use. |
|
|
The audit provides a
thorough assessment of your entire
home's energy use to help you plan
retrofits that will improve the energy
efficiency of your home. |
|
|
Once you have completed
the upgrades you will do a secondary
evaluation (post-retrofit) and a new
energy efficiency rating label will
indicate your home's improved energy
use. |
|
|
You will receive
government grants based on each of the
recommended retrofits you have completed
and the relative impact the retrofits
have on the energy efficiency of your
home. |
|
|
Taking action to help
alleviate climate changes. Make your
contribution to help protect our
environment by using the residential
energy assessment service. |
|
 |
How do I apply for an ENERGY AUDIT?
- Hire an auditor licensed by Natural
Resources Canada for a first or pre-retrofit
audit which typically costs between $340 - $400
(depending on the home's size). Auditors will
show you how to improve the comfort of your home
by cutting heating and cooling costs, while
ensuring adequate ventilation for a healthy
indoor environment.
- The auditor carries out the pre-retrofit
audit and provides the homeowner with a report
that contains recommendations on energy
efficiency improvements and an EnerGuide rating.
- In Ontario, the provincial Home Energy Audit
Program will issue a $150 cheque to the
homeowner for the pre-audit. A homeowner is not
required to carry out a retrofit to receive the
rebate.
- The homeowners select their improvements and
implement the recommended energy upgrades. A
post-retrofit evaluation is done (average fee is $175 + HST) to confirm the new energy rating. The
auditor will submit the grant application. The
homeowner has until March 31, 2012 to complete
the improvements (from the date of the pre-retrofit evaluation and subject to available
funding).
- Receipts should be kept to claim expenses
under the Home Renovation Tax Credit.
- The homeowner should receive a cheque within
90 days from the date of the post-retrofit
evaluation (times may vary depending on volume).
Let CANSPEC BUILDING
SERVICES help you to make your home more energy
efficient as well as save you money.
|
|
 |
|
The Canspec Difference - Satisfaction Guaranteed |
All our clients receive our Satisfaction Guarantee!! As part
of our ongoing commitment to offer our clients superior
value for their investment. If at the end of the inspection,
you are not completely satisfied with your Canspec
inspection you don't pay. That's right, we are so sure you
will be pleased with the inspection we are willing to stake
our fee on it.
Buying a home can be stressful, and so too
can choosing the right home inspection
company. Now, with our satisfaction
guarantee we've removed all the risk and
hopefully some of the stress for you. |
|
|
|
