Graham S. in Vancouver

Hi Graham, Thank you for the inspired testimonial, I couldn't have written it better myself, you do sound like an apprentice. It's been a pleasure working with you on both homes. You’re the type of person who wants to know everything about his house and fortunately I'm the type of person who measures his success by his client’s involvement in the inspection process. Basically a win-win for both of us. That truly makes me happy. Up until recently inspectors discouraged clients from showing up except for a ½ to 1hr walk-through review at the end. Inspectors didn't always meet their clients and would drop the report off at the brokerage and pick up the check. A process of limited involvement that prevented homebuyers from learning anything but the obvious from the inspection. Exactly the way everybody involved with real state sales preferred. I believe this changed slightly due to homebuyers requesting more exposure to the process. Fortunately one of my 1st inspection jobs, back in 1998, when I was getting started in the business, my client asked if they could attend the entire inspection, the idea made me a bit nervous but thankfully it worked out really well- a valuable, firsthand information exchange and I've been requiring that of my clients ever since. Having the homebuyer shadow the inspection actually adds at least an hour and more to an inspection due to discussions. So when home inspectors are spending 2 ½ to 5 ½ hours on an inspection turnaround you have to appreciate that some things might be glossed over for time efficiency. It may seem weird but I tend to treat my clients like apprentices, I book the entire day for our inspection so we are not rushed. (I tried to sell this type of client involvement and inspection duration to both home inspector associations back in the year 2000, basically they told me to shut up and sit down saying the industry isn't broken so why try to fix it. In my opinion it was broken because it did not involve the homebuyer, the complete inspection standard turnaround back then was 1 ½ - 2 ½ hrs. Home inspectors were just another outstretched hand wanting to get paid, that mentality is still present in the industry) I wanted homebuyers to see firsthand while I discuss what we are looking at, why it might be a problem, what the causation factors could be, when the item needs attention and some discussion on cost. In other words; become involved in the discovery process and function of their home and what steps to take next. The time just flies by when you're involved, when you're invested. For the most part, the information is easily digestible, if I see a clients eyes glaze over we can always take another run at it. You are absolutely right, where do homebuyers get it in their heads that a home inspection should only cost $500? They get that little seed planted in their head by everybody involved with real estate sales, inspector websites, agent websites, even CMHC used to say most inspections could be had for under $500. Nobody really realizes how powerful a lobby the real estate sales industry is. Basically the real estate industry has dictated that inspectors need to be: 1. cheap, 2. Fast, 3. and somewhat blind. A 2 to 5 hour inspection turnaround fulfills those 3 requirements of a “ good” home inspector”. Over the yrs, agents have commented that I do not do standard inspections. Agents thinking they are chastising me, in front of my clients, saying things like: “you're taking too long, nobody does the degree of investigation that you do, your inspection goes above and beyond every inspector I've ever seen.” When my clients hear that their hearts are filled with glee. Me too. Graham as always I'm just a call or email away. Happy trails... Ted Gilmour