Being properly informed is important!  

Here are some answers to the most common questions we get asked!

 

+ What area does RGM service?

We are proud to service all of Prince Edward Island. Our office is located just outside of Charlottetown.

+ Do I need to attend the inspection?

It is not necessary that you attend the Home Inspection, but it highly recommmended that you attend near the end of the home inspection for a complete review of your home. As well, this is a good time for you to have any and all questions answered about your new home. This walk through, question and answer period takes approximatly 1 hour. Also You will always have time after your purchase to call with questions.

+ Can a house fail an inspection?

No. There is no pass or fail in our Home Inspection or report. Instead, we provide you with an impartial, objective assessment of the internal systems and structure of your home. Our Home Inspection and report therefore, presents you with this information so you in turn may make an informed decision on your purchase.

+ What if the report shows that the home is in good condition? Did I really need a home inspection?

Absolutely!

Now you can complete your purchase with peace of mind. You are now a great deal more knowledgeable about the condition of the home, it’s structure and systems. You will have learned many things about your home from the inspection and the report is yours to keep. Most buyers keep and refer to their report as it includes a section for home maintenance. Every home owner should follow the applicable recommendations in this section. Proper maintenance will lead to longer component life, increased operating efficiency, and decreased repair frequency. In the end, good maintenance saves money.

Above all, you can rest assured that you are making an informed purchase decision.

+ When do I call a house inspector?

Your purchase agreement is usually contingent upon a Home Inspection.

Check with your Real Estate Agent or the “Inspection Period” clause in your Purchase Agreement. As soon as the Seller accepts your offer in writing you should call RGM Home Inspection Services to book an appointment for your Home Inspection.

If you are a prospective seller, you may call us as soon as you have made your decision to sell. Further, you may prefer to call before you list your home for sale, to give you time to address any issues, as a result of the your pre-sale Home Inspection.

+ What is included in a typical house inspection?

In keeping with the CAHPI Standards of Practice, the focus of the inspection can be broken primarily into the following nine (9) parts: Roof, Structure, Electrical System, Heating System and Heat Pumps, Plumbing, Exterior, Insulation, Ventilation, and Interior.

Each of the components above, are inspected and then documented in a comprehensive report, which in most cases is delivered by means of e-mail with the report in a PDF link. (sample report in this website under Our Services)

Our Inspection and Report will leave you in a much better position to make your very important decision, adding significantly to your knowledge of your home. However, we are not able to tell you everything. We are not able to eliminate all risks of buying a home. All Home Inspections are entirely visual. No invasive testing is performed.

+ Would my Real Estate Agent try to sell me a home with potential problems?

The best way to address this would be to look at some facts.

Usually, Home Inspectors are not trained or qualified to act as Real Estate agents. Similarly, Real Estate agents are salespeople, generally not trained nor qualified to do a independent professional Home Inspection. CAHPI does not allow it’s members to be active real estate agents, simply due to the possibility of conflict of interest. For that reason, suggesting that a buyer purchase a home without first seeking a Professional Qualified CAHPI Home Inspection would be as unethical as a Home Inspector suggesting a negotiating price or advising whether or not to purchase a home to a client. A client has every right to expect professionalism.

+ I am selling my home, are there advantages of having a pre-sale inspection?

Yes! First and foremost - Home Sellers Competitive Edge!

Correcting any problems early not only makes the property more attractive and desirable, it may also simplify the negotiation process. A favourable home inspection report confirms the buyer’s good feelings about the home, and helps to expedite the sale.

A home buyer’s primary concern is the condition of the home’s basic structure and major electrical and mechanical systems. Most buyers, particularly when there’s a large selection of homes to choose from, consider only those which don’t require a great deal of time and money to repair. The best items to repair, are often those which typically appear on our Home Inspection report.

In addition, the inspector’s written report can be a persuasive sales tool. Buyers may feel more confident in making an offer when they can know right away the present condition of the house, inside and out.

+ Is RGM affiliated with any professional Home Inspector's Association?

RGM Home Inspection Services is a member in good standing with the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors.

For that reason, our inspector is an impartial professional who has met the Association’s demanding accreditation and experience requirements.

CAHPI's Code of Ethics forbids its members from engaging in any activity for one year which might be construed as a conflict of interest. For example, a CAHPI Inspector may not use Home Inspections as a vehicle to obtain repair contracts or to promote a particular contractor for repair work, as he could be suspect of giving biased evaluations.

CAHPI not only defines its members’ responsibilities, it individually screens applicants on the basis of technical expertise and professional experience. Once admitted, we have an obligation to continue our education with the latest building technologies and inspection techniques. In person and on line educational seminars are held throughout the year. Technical speakers are invited to these meetings / on line seminars, and mailings to members with educational updates are ongoing. Annual Educational Conferences and regional seminars/workshops are also held by our CAPHI National Association.

Only individual inspectors may become members of CAHPI; there is no category for “company membership”. Home buyers should therefore request confirmation that the individual inspector doing the actual inspection is a member of CAHPI.

+ What kind of regulations are in place on PEI for house builders?

The Government of Prince Edward Island does not regulate the construction industry on Prince Edward Island. The PEI Government has not adopted The National Building Code of Canada (2014). Therefore, often times, building standards are not enforced in rural PEI, with the exception of the municipalities of Charlottetown, Summerside and Stratford. However, PEI does have Provincial Inspectors for Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection during new construction throughout the province.

Furthermore, construction contractors are not regulated nor licensed through the government and there are no educational standards required to construct homes in PEI. Consequently, there are some amateurs working in the field of construction, unregulated and unlicensed.

There are, however, many home contractors in PEI who do adhere to the highest standards, such as adhering to the National Building Code of Canada and achieving Red Seal Interprovincial Certification for carpenters and other trades, there are many who are affiliated with such reputable associations such as The New Home Warranty Program.

+ Does RGM do building code inspections?

We do not do code inspections, however, the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors requires its members to maintain high standards and we must meet rigorous professional and educational requirements in order to maintain membership. For that reason, you may rest assured that RGM Home Inspections Services will assist you in making an informed decision on your purchase or sale of your home.