Vancouver Condo Inspection

Your BC Licensed Home Inspector

We ask questions

We encourage you to read the minutes of strata council meetings as far back as you can obtain them. Highlight any references to water and moisture problems. We then find out how these problems were dealt with. Were further investigations carried out beyond identifying one specific problem? Were there any inspections carried out for the strata council or the property management company and are these reports available for perusal? If repairs were performed what assurance is there that they were properly done? Are there any planned major expenditures for the home?

We check the home's design

Some homes are more prone to leak than others. One of the most significant design features is the absence of adequate roof overhangs to protect the walls from rain. Obviously the less rain that hits the home the less likely it is to leak. Deck and balcony design are important. Decks and balconies which rely on small drains which are prone to plug, decks over living areas, "solid" railing designs, balconies which slope toward the home are more likely to result in leaks. Homes with open walkways and stairwells are vulnerable to leakage and rot damage. Earth-filled planters in contact with the walls of ground floor units are potential problem areas.

We look for previous repairs

Is there visual evidence of exterior wall patching? Has caulking been installed in some areas and not in others? We check the wall penetrations on the walls most exposed to the weather. If the home has a stucco covered exterior have any water resistant coatings been applied subsequent to the original construction? The presence of any of these items will raise a red flag.

Find out the warranty details

Examine what items are covered and for how long. Is there a warranty against water penetration? How long does it last? What assurance is there that the builder will still be around to make the repairs? If the home is not new, what time, if any, is left on the warranty? If repairs have been carried out are they covered by a warranty?

We only use professional home inspectors

Make your offer to purchase subject to a professional home inspection. We are members of the British Columbia Intitute of Property Inspectors (BCIPI). We will go through the unit and the home with you. The process should take 3 to 4 hours and will include a detailed written report and photos on disk. Be aware that a home inspection is a visual inspection and does not involve drilling holes and using instruments to check moisture levels. We will go through a home and give an opinion on the probability of problems based on the design features present and may also identify previous repairs but leaks may go undetected if there are no visible signs present. We'll make recommendations as necessary.

Inspection Types

Pre-Purchase Condo Inspection

Expensive repairs to the exterior walls and roof are the most significant and common costs you are likely to encounter in a condominium purchase. A Pre-Purchase Condominium Inspection involves not only a detailed inspection of the suite you are considering buying but also a General Overview of the home's exterior and interior. If you are confident of the condition of the home, an inspection of the Suite's interior can be arranged on its own. If you have any concerns about the exterior, we recommend a complete inspection of all components.

Pre-Listing Condo Inspection

Pre-Listing inspections make your condo easier and faster to sell. An inspection can prevent surprises from cropping up at closing time and provide prospective buyers with an atmosphere of good faith and confidence. By knowing about problems in advance, you can then decide if you wish to fix the problem or disclose it to the buyer.

"Open House" Inspection

With today's competitive market, we realize your need to make immediate buying decisions. To accomodate this, we will accompany you through an open house showing.

During and after the "Open House" Inspection, Mainland Home Inspections will discuss the findings, and advise on the quality of the home.

Note: the "Open House" Inspection is not as thorough as a regular inspection, but does focus on critical components which may affect your purchase decision.

New Condo Inspection

Most homeowners can easily identify the cosmetic deficiencies. It takes a professional who is familiar with all codes to find the rest. By having a new condo inspected the opportunity exists to learn as much as you can about the condo and how to look after it, before you buy it. The inspector can point out known problem areas and suggest maintenance practices which will reduce or eliminate most problems before they can start.