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FAQs
At Memor Esto Property Inspections, we’re committed to providing clear answers and expert guidance.
Below, you'll find a list of the most frequently asked questions from our clients. If your question isn’t addressed here, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly—we’re always happy to help. -
A typical home inspection begins with approximately one hour of research on the property before any on-site work takes place.
The on-site inspection itself usually takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size and condition of the home, as well as the accessibility of key systems like plumbing, heating, and electrical.After the inspection, we spend about one additional hour preparing a detailed written report.
Please note that these time estimates can vary based on the unique characteristics of the property.
As a courtesy to sellers in pre-purchase inspection situations, we recommend informing them in advance about the expected timeframe.We inspect the property and all major systems of the home.
For safety and insurance reasons, we do not physically walk on the roof. Instead, we use a dedicated drone equipped with a high-definition camera to capture detailed images of the roof surface.In addition, we may assess the roof edge from a ladder, examine under the eaves, and inspect the roof structure from within the attic whenever accessible. This multi-angle approach allows us to provide a thorough and accurate evaluation without compromising safety.
Our inspections include all major components of the home—Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior.
Our primary goal is to identify any significant condition issues that could influence a typical buyer’s decision to proceed with the purchase.
Our standard home inspection fee is C$700.00 for properties up to 3,000 square feet.
To put that in perspective, for a home selling at $700,000, this represents just 00.1% of the purchase price—a small investment for peace of mind on such a significant purchase.
Fees may vary depending on the size and complexity of the property.
For larger or more unique properties—such as a 20-acre estate—we offer aerial inspections using our 48-megapixel drone camera, which captures high-resolution images and reveals details not easily seen from the ground. This aerial scoping adds tremendous value and is available as an optional add-on for just $100.00 when combined with a standard home inspection.
✅ Complete home inspection conducted by a fully accredited professional
📝 Comprehensive written inspection report, detailing the condition of major systems and components
📚 Lifetime access to technical support references—available for as long as you own your home
Absolutely—we strongly encourage you to attend the inspection.
It’s a valuable learning experience, especially for homebuyers.Attending gives you the opportunity to ask questions, see systems up close, and gain insights you might not otherwise get. You may be surprised by how much you learn about your future home!
You don’t need to take notes during the inspection—we’ve got that covered.
Everything will be documented in a detailed written report for your reference. During the inspection, we recommend simply following along with the inspector, listening to their observations, and asking any questions that come to mind. This approach helps ensure you fully understand the condition of the home and gives you a chance to clarify anything that may be of concern to you.Absolutely! You're encouraged to bring questions with you.
Feel free to ask the inspector questions at any point during the inspection. If anything is unclear or needs further explanation, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification—we’re here to help you fully understand what we’re seeing and what it means.The inspection is the ideal time to discuss the condition of the home and any implications it may have for safety, comfort, maintenance, or future planning.
Dress comfortably and be prepared to walk through the home with the inspector.
You won’t need to climb on the roof or enter tight spaces like the attic, so your clothes should stay clean and comfortable throughout the inspection.We recommend that you not bring your family; this is a technical evaluation, and you will be interacting with the inspector — the fewer distractions, the better.
Yes, you will receive a detailed written report.
It’s unrealistic to expect you to remember everything covered during the inspection, so the report summarizes the overall condition of the home and provides detailed information about all major systems. We typically deliver this report within 24 hours of completing the inspection.No, the decision to purchase the home is ultimately yours.
Our role is to provide an objective report on the condition of the property, highlighting any potential repairs or expenses. While the home inspection is a vital part of your decision-making process, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Only you can weigh all the factors involved, and your real estate professional can offer valuable guidance along the way.A home inspection is a professional opinion based on a limited visual assessment in a short period of time — much like a doctor’s check-up.
While it signaficantly improves your chances of identifying issues, it cannot guarantee or warrant the home’s condition.Some problems only become apparent through everyday use or under specific conditions. For example:
A shower may leak only during actual use, not when simply turning on the water.
Roof or basement leaks may occur only during certain weather events.
Issues hidden beneath carpets, behind furniture, or under finishes may not be visible during an inspection.
Because of these limitations, we do not provide any warranties on the home. However, separate home warranty programs are available through other providers if you wish additional coverage.
We are proud graduates of the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training Program.
Our strong communication skills, combined with extensive hands-on experience from numerous inspections over the years, enable us to provide thorough and clear evaluations.Beyond home inspection expertise, we bring an additional technical skill sets that enhance our service.
As homeowners ourselves, we truly understand your desire to know the condition of the home’s critical systems and to feel confident in your investment.
We strive to accommodate your schedule whenever possible.
Booking your inspection early gives you the best chance of meeting any time constraints. When a home sale is conditional on the inspection results, we recommend allowing at least three to five days to arrange the inspection, depending on current market demand. -
Caveat Emptor
Real estate in many parts of
North America has traditionally worked under the concept of caveat emptor. This Latin term means, “Let the buyer beware.” The concept is that the buyer must examine the property that he or she is buying and assume responsibility for satisfying him or herself about the condition of the property.“WHEN THINGS GO WRONG”
There may come a time that you discover something wrong with the house, and you may wonder if your home inspector let you down. There are a few things to consider:
Intermittent or Concealed Problems
Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house. They cannot be discovered during the few hours of a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak when water bounces off people in the shower, but do not leak when you simply turn on the tap. Some roofs and basements only leak when rain is very heavy or is driven by wind from a certain direction. Some problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture and storage are moved or finishes are removed.
No Clues
These problems may have existed at the time of the inspection but there were no clues as to their existence. Lawyers call these latent defects. Our inspections are based on the past performance of the house. If there are no clues of a problem, we cannot identify it. Home inspectors do not identify latent defects.
We Always Miss Some Minor Things
Some say we are inconsistent because our reports identify some minor problems but not others. Any minor problems noted were discovered while looking for significant problems that would affect the typical person’s decision to purchase. We note minor issues in our reports simply as a courtesy. A home inspection report is not an all-inclusive list of minor building deficiencies.
Sampling Exercise
A home inspection is a sampling exercise with respect to components that are numerous, such as bricks, windows, and electrical receptacles. As a result, some conditions that are visible may go unreported. This is not a failing of the inspector but a result of sampling.
Contractors’ Advice
A common source of concern with home inspectors comes from comments made by contractors. Contractors’ opinions often differ from ours. It is not unusual for three roofers to all say the roof covering should be replaced when we said that, with some minor repairs, the roof will last a few more years.
Last Man In Theory
While our unbiased advice represents the most prudent action in our professional opinion, many contractors are reluctant to undertake these repairs. This is because of the “Last Man In Theory”. The contractor fears that if he is the last person to work on the roof, he will get blamed if the roof leaks, whether or not the leak is his fault. Consequently, he won’t want to do a minor repair with high liability when he could re-roof the entire house for more money and reduce the likelihood of a callback. This is understandable.
Most Recent Advice Is Best
There is more to the “Last Man In Theory”. It is human nature for homeowners to believe the last “expert” advice they receive, even if it is contrary to previous advice. As home inspectors, we unfortunately find ourselves in the position of “First Man In” and consequently it is our advice that is often disbelieved.
Why Didn’t We See It
Contractors and others may say “I can’t believe you had this house inspected, and the inspector didn’t find this problem”. There are several reasons for these apparent oversights:
Conditions During Inspection
1. It is difficult for homeowners to remember the circumstances in the house, at the time of the inspection. It’s easy to forget that it was snowing, there was storage everywhere in the basement, etc. It’s impossible for contractors to know what the circumstances were when the inspection was performed.
The Wisdom Of Hindsight
2. When the problem manifests itself, it is very easy to have 20/20 hindsight. Anybody can say with certainty that the basement leaks when there are 2 inches of water on the floor. Predicting the problem is a different story.
A Long Look
3. If we spent half an hour under the kitchen sink or two hours removing every electrical switch plate and cover plate, we’d find more problems too. Unfortunately, the inspection would take several days and would cost considerably more.
We’re Generalists
4. We are generalists; we are not specialists. A heating contractor will have more heating expertise than we do. This is because we are expected to have heating expertise and plumbing expertise, roofing expertise, electrical expertise, etc. A home inspector is a generalist the same way a family doctor is a generalist. They have wonderfully broad knowledge, but are not cardiologists or respirologists.
An Invasive Look
5. Problems often become apparent when carpets or plaster are removed, when fixtures or cabinets are pulled out, and so on. Many issues appear once furnishings are removed and work begins on a home. A home inspection is a visual examination. We don’t perform any invasive or destructive tests.
Not Insurance
In conclusion, a home inspection is designed to better your odds. It is not designed to eliminate all risk. For that reason, a home inspection should not be considered an insurance policy. The premium that an insurance company would have to charge for a policy with no deductible, no exclusions, no limits and an indefinite policy period would be a huge multiple of the fee we charge. It would also not include the knowledge added by the inspection.
We hope this is food for thought.
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DISCLAIMER
Please be advised that our report will include both the conditions we observe and those we do not observe, as both aspects are equally important. However, to be clear, we do not assume any responsibility for the identification of mould or asbestos in any form. The detection and remediation of mould and asbestos should be conducted by professionals specifically qualified and certified in these areas.