Reviews

10/10

Robert was very responsive and helpful in identifying how we would improve the lighting situation in our apartment (added potlights and additional chandeliers). He installed it quickly, cleanly and efficiently and worked with our interior finisher to ensure everything went smoothly. All of this during the high season when its hard to find good contractors. I highly recommend working with Robert's team.

Approximate cost of services:
$2,200.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
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Company Response

Thanks Steve, Im glad it all worked out. The Electrical Inspectors visit went well. All these years in business has helped us to know what the Inspectors look for and we try to keep up with the ever changing Electrical Code changes.
Good Luck in your new Condo
Cheers
Robert

10/10

I hired Ted to help me with a home inspection for a townhouse purchase in Fairview. I was told Ted was thorough and unbiased relative to other home inspectors in the city. I can confirm this is the case - he spent a significant amount of time going through the building exterior and unit interior top to bottom. He really cares about the affairs of his clients and detaches himself from the buying process to make sure you are getting the best, un-biased advice. I recommend doing at least part of the inspection with Ted (in person) as he can spot anything wrong with the building and help you articulate what consequences there may be. In our case, he helped find some un-approved electrical which allowed us to negotiate the price of the unit. Ted doesn't give you a buy or no-buy recommendation - he gives you the key risk areas and lets you make an informed decision. I liked this because no building is perfect, but he helped me identify risk areas and understand what may cost us in the future. If you care to understand what you may be spending $1m+ on, spend the $600+ and get a solid opinion from a reputable home inspector and someone that does his job with care and diligence.

Approximate cost of services:
$600.00
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Company Response

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your generous account of my inspection service. People ask me what I look for, I simply state I do not know. When I cover a building from top to bottom, 360° inside and out, there's a good chance I will find the things that will negatively impact your future clear sailing. With your attendance during the inspection, we will discuss cause & effect, immediacy, repair procedure and to some degree cost. The adage goes if you have a signed sales agreement: if we discovered deficiencies and defects germane to what constitutes as a reasonably well tended home and needing repair or replacement in the very near future. Generally if they did not disclose the failing condition of deferred maintenance and or repair history then these items are rightfully negotiable. In most cases the seller will agree with repair or replacement of the substantial discoveries,agreeing to make good either by doing repairs or replacing the failings or by other compensations. In many cases the vendor will simply offer financial incentives to advance the deal. Everyone wants the deal to go through- the seller, their agent, your agent, you, the banks, the insurance agents, etc.
Everyone's afraid of upsetting the deal, the pressure to complete the deal is horrendous and mostly a fabricated strategy to stimulate desperation. That's how you sell a home; fear driven panic. After months of looking, panic rises even without external, motivated fabrications. Thankfully when you get a thorough inspection you can proceed with relative comfort to strategize your own advantages. Homebuyers forget that they are the most important person at the deal, real estate agents might make you feel lucky to get your foot in the door when in fact they are hoping and praying you will stick both feet in the door and will work to maintain that. Agents do not want to start over again with the added knowledge of significant defects that they will have to, buy law, legally disclose to the next buyer.
It was a real pleasure working with you, I hope your new place turns out to be as you imagine. Remember during your renovation please don't hesitate to contact me for advice, I quite enjoy helping people.
Happy trails ...
Ted Gilmour