A home inspection gives potential homebuyer’s the opportunity to have a professional inspector evaluate a home and give an assessment of its condition.

Usually, homebuyers get an inspection done before they purchase a home - but sellers sometimes opt to have one completed as well before listing their home for sale, whether by themselves or a professional. 

If you’re selling a home, you’ll want to make sure the inspection goes as smoothly as possible, so you can close on the sale sooner rather than later. Here are 5 easy tips on how to prepare for a home inspection.

1 - Keep It Clean

This one seems pretty obvious, especially if you’ve gone through the process of selling a home before, but be sure to keep everything clean and tidy! How clean your home is doesn’t necessarily play into the inspection itself…but a dirty/messy house may make the inspector suspicious that other areas of the property also aren’t properly taken care of.

2 - Provide Easy Access

Related to the point above, you want to make a good impression on the professional carrying out the home inspection. So, make sure that they have easy access throughout the property. If an inspector can’t get into an area, they can’t inspect it - and that will be a red flag for buyers! Make sure to clear away any clutter impeding access such as basements, attics and furnace rooms.

3 - Remember: The Little Things Matter

Ideally, you want everything to be perfect for your home inspection. The better shape things are in, the more likely you are to close on the sale. There are lots of easy things you can do to help woo your potential buyers. Simple things like repairing faulty cabinets, replacing any bulbs that are out, making sure your toilets are functioning properly and ensuring all doors are in working condition can help develop a trusting relationship between you and the buyer.

4- Double Check For Leaks

One thing a home inspector is definitely going to check for is signs of leaks or water damage. It’s best you beat them to it and get any water-related issues sorted prior to the inspection. When looking for leaks, be sure to check under sinks, around faucets, around the base of your toilets and bathtubs and/or showers, and under any appliances that may leak, such as dishwashers and refrigerators. In terms of water damage, examine walls, ceilings, and floors, looking for signs of warping, sagging, or buckling.

5 - Don’t Forget The Roof!

The roof is a key part of the home inspection, so be sure to check it during your preparations. Get out a ladder and clean moss and debris from the gutters and check for damaged/missing tiles. If you find damage on the roof, you’ll want to get it taken care of prior to the home inspection - as this can really spook potential buyers.

First-Time Tip: If you get an alarming inspection report on a home you’re selling, don’t panic. Until you see the whole picture clearly, you’re not in a position to determine whether you have a major problem to deal with or not. Keep in mind that there is an element of subjectivity involved in the inspection process. For example, two contractors might disagree on the remedy for a dry-rotted window: one calling for repair and the other for replacement.

Did you know that building permits help ensure renovations and construction projects comply with local bylaws, health and safety standards as well as building codes? Well, if you didn’t, now you do!

So, why do they matter?  Keep reading to find out.

What Is A Building Permit?

As you prepare to start a project, considering a building permit is a great first step. After all, you’re required to obtain the relevant permits before you can even start tackling any renovations.

As the expectations and rules for every municipality differ, it’s crucial you understand your cities requirements – it would be a waste of time adhering to standards that don’t even apply to your given area! And, some cities are actually more vigilant than others in enforcing permits, so the work required can differ from place to place. To determine what your city needs from you, you can always visit your town's building department website, as they typically offer an overview. 

The Building Permit Process

In order to obtain a building permit, the process might look a little something like this:

You can start by contacting your local building department and explaining what you have in mind for your project. If they determine that a permit is required, you’ll be given an application form outlining the relevant requirements. Keep in mind that not all renovations require one single permit, you might have to apply for multiple. For example, perhaps your project requires quite a bit of work, leaving you to apply for a plumbing and electrical permit. 

As you prepare your permit application, make sure to include any materials that will be used and keep in mind that you may have to submit drawings of your project plan, depending on the proposal. 

You can then submit your application, which is often when you pay whatever necessary fees. Afterwards, the licensing office will provide you with an official permit certificate.

 Once you begin working on your project, you’re required to post the building permit, which could mean taping it to the door closest to where work is being done.

As you continue to work and see progress, make sure to call the inspection office, so they can send an inspector to review the quality of work as well as the worksite. If the inspector instructs you to make any changes, complete them and have the instructor return to make sure they were done accordingly.  

When you receive approval from the inspector, you’re no longer required to display your building permit. 

Oftentimes people skip these steps because they don’t want to spend the time or money on them, but the price of righting your wrongs is often far more costly.

Why Do Building Permits Matter

If you decide to bypass the official building permit process, you might run into the following problems:

• You might decide down the road it’s time to sell your home. A buyer’s inspection might reveal work that was done without proper permits or that isn’t up to code. You’ll then be faced with the task of undoing all your previous work and starting over again, this time with a permit. 

• You might face steep fines, which can reach thousands of dollars, depending on where you live and the work that was done. For structures that violate requirements, you could actually receive fines for every day that the structure fails to meet standards.

• If work that was done poorly or without a permit leads to a structural issue, a fire, or even a major plumbing problem, your homeowner’s damage and liability policy might not cover the costs of the damage.

• If an injury occurs during your project and you’re without the proper permits, you could be liable for the injuries. 

• Perhaps during your DIY construction, you accidentally damage your neighbours property or pollute a nearby stream. This could lead to a serious lawsuit. 

It’s important that you do the relevant research before starting a project to stay informed of any required permits. In doing so, you can rest assured that your project is being done in the safest way possible. You’ll also save yourself the headache, time and money that comes with fixing any mistakes.