Home Inspections - FAQ

Many of the common questions we get asked are covered here but if you would like to contact us please feel to email or call.

Why get a home inspection?
What exactly is a home inspection?
What should I NOT expect from a home inspection?
I’m planning to sell my home. Should I get a home inspection?
Can I do the home inspection myself?
Can a house fail a home inspection?
I’m buying a brand new home. Should I still get a home inspection?
What if the report reveals problems?
If the house proves to be in good condition did I really need an inspection?
How much will it cost?

Why get a home inspection?

Whether you’re a buyer, seller, realtor or lender there is significant benefit in knowing what the condition of the property is.

Buying a Bermuda home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected costs down the road you’ll want to learn as much as you can about a newly constructed or existing house before you buy it.

To an untrained eye, Bermudian home construction can seem robust and safe from major flaws, and in general it is. But our homes are subject to some severe weathering from the elements and over time deferred maintenance and construction “short cuts” can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in repair fixes.

A qualified Bermuda home inspection will identify major repair items and potentially unsafe conditions resulting from builder oversights or just plain shoddy workmanship. For older homes, an untrained eye or emotional buyer can also underestimate deferred maintenance and the cost of repairs and replacements.

With our detailed written inspection report you’ll know more about the home and this will allow you to make educated decisions with confidence. The sense of security and knowledge gained from a through, professional home inspection is well worth the cost.

Click here to download an example Home Inspection Report. (PDF file, requires Adobe Reader.)

Click here to download the Pre-Inspection Agreement. (PDF file, Adobe Reader.)

For your protection … get a home inspection!

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What is a Bermuda home inspection?

A home inspection performed by a certified Bermudian home inspector is an objective examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. Our home inspections are performed by a locally registered professional engineer specifically trained and certified as a home inspector. We know Bermuda home construction and what to look for.

Our written home inspection report covers the condition of the home’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems together with floors, walls, ceilings, basements, foundations and other structural components. We also cover windows, doors, stairs, landings, appliances, fire safety devices and ancillary structures such as garages, pools, decks and docks. It’s a top-to-bottom unbiased inspection of the whole house and grounds.
Contact Mason today.

Building peace of mind in Bermuda…
One house at a time!

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What should I NOT expect from a home inspection?

A home inspection is not protection against future failures. Stuff happens! Components like air conditioners and water pumps can and will break down. A home inspection attempts to reveal the condition of the component at the time the component was inspected. For protection from future failure you may want to consider a home warranty.

A home inspection is not an appraisal that determines the value of a home. Nor will a home inspector tell you if you should buy this home or what to pay for this home.

A home inspection is not a code inspection, which verifies local building code compliance. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house. Homes built before code revisions are not obligated to comply with the code for homes built today unless you plan on renovations or additions. Home inspectors will report findings when it comes to safety concerns that may be in the current code such as ungrounded outlets above sinks. A home inspector thinks "Safety" not "Code" when performing a home inspection.

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I’m planning to sell my home. Should I get a home inspection?

If you are already a homeowner looking to sell, a Bermuda home inspection can identify potential problems that might lose you a buyer. Knowing what an inspector finds gives you the opportunity make repairs that will put your house in better selling position. A pre-listing inspection will give you a chance to see your house through a prospective buyer’s eyes.

If the significant defects and safety issues are identified and fixed a revised follow-up report is a great selling tool! You can even offer or market the pre-sale inspection report to potential buyers as a way to build confidence and trust that what you are offering has no hidden surprises.

A pre-sale inspection report gives you the seller a huge leg up on the competition in a buyer’s market. It could make the difference between closing a quick sale or having your property linger on the market for months.

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Can I do the home inspection myself?

Even the most experienced home owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a trained professional who is certified to be a home inspector. A qualified home inspector is familiar with the elements of Bermuda home construction, proper installation of electrical and mechanical systems, maintenance and home safety. We know how the systems and components are intended to function together and why they fail.

Above all else, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they may soon call home and this will effect their judgment. Quite often the importance of necessary repairs is undervalued and code violations overlooked and this may have a direct affect on the health and safety of your family. For accurate information and advice it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion from a qualified professional in the field of home inspections.

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Can a house fail a home inspection?

No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal which determines market value. It is not a Building Control inspection which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector does not issue a “pass” or “fail” grade but rather describes in detail the physical condition of the home and indicates what components and systems may need major repair or replacement soon. Code violations however may be pointed out if they constitute a significant threat to you or your family’s personal health and wellbeing.

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I’m buying a brand new, never lived in home. Should I still get a home inspection?

Yes, we would highly recommend spending a few hundred dollars for the peace of mind knowing that your builder hasn’t taken any shortcuts. Even though most new construction comes with maintenance periods it can be frustrating to get a contractor to respond quickly, especially when he has moved on to other projects. Shoddy workmanship may not be immediately apparent to an inexperienced eye but down the road could result in tens of thousands of dollars to fix. It’s better knowing up front whether your builder has used good materials and applied sound local construction practices in building your home. We have over 25 years of supervising and inspecting Bermudian construction projects. There aren’t too many tricks we haven’t seen.

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What if the report reveals problems?

No house is perfect, not even the brand new ones are flawless. If the inspector identifies problems it does not mean you should or shouldn’t buy the home. The written inspection report will let you know in advance what to expect. If your budget is tight or you have no interest in major repairs then this information is useful to you as a potential buyer. If major problems are found a seller may agree to make repairs or negotiate the cost of repairs off the selling price.

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If the house proves to be in good condition did I really need an inspection?

Absolutely. Now you can complete the purchase of your new home with confidence. You will have learned many new things about the property that may not have been readily apparent when you first looked at it. Now you will have a detailed inspection report for future reference and it will be a useful tool to refer back to when planning for routine maintenance.

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How much will it cost?

Standard Home Inspection Fees

Our fee for conducting a standard home inspection is $0.86/sq ft but not less than $995 per inspection.

We add a small surcharge of $150 per additional living unit (apartment) to cover the time required to inspect the separate electrical panel, kitchen etc.

Additional Services at time of Std Inspection:

Pool Inspection (including pump & pool house)	$250
Dock Inspection (above HWL)	$150
Visual Termite Inspection	$150
Other Ancillary Structures (ie. boat houses, barns, boundary walls etc.)	Call for quote.

Download our complete fee structure for all professional services.

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