Ottawa Home Inspection Services

Total Contracting Management provides home inspection services for commercial and residential properties within the Ottawa-Gatineau region. We have property inspectors that are certified, educated, licensed, ethical and accurate.

Why get a commercial property or home inspection done?

* Our inspector will identify defects, safety issues, required repairs and maintenance items;
* Help you calculate approximate cost to correct problems;
* Provide maintenance tips that will help you keep the home in good shape.
* And, give you a clearer understanding of what it is you are about to purchase, so that you can decide if it's really a GOOD BUY.

Call Total Management today for your commercial property or home inspection. Guess work is never a good idea when it comes to your investment.

Home Inspection Guide

Please feel free to use the following checklist in the evaluation of your property or the property you are going to purchase. It will help you get started. If you need any additional professional assistance, please feel free to call us at Total Management.

Grounds

* Proper rain drainage away from house
* No evidence of standing water
* No leaks from septic tank or leech field
* Yard, landscaping, trees and paths in good condition
* No branches or bushes touching house or roof
* Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detached garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rot
* Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure
* Driveways, sidewalks, patios, stoops in good condition, and sloping away from structure
* Downspout drainage directed away from structure

Structure

* Ridge and fascia lines appear straight and level
* Sides of house appear straight, not bowed or sagging
* Window and door frames appear square
* Visible foundation in good condition - appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks

Exterior Surfaces

* Adequate clearance between ground and wood materials (6" minimum): no wood-to-earth contact
* Shingles and siding: no cracking, curling or decay
* Brick veneer: no cracks in joints, no broken or flaking bricks
* Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector)
* Vinyl or steel siding: no dents from hail damage, no bowing or loose siding
* No vines on surface of structure
* Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters
* No stains on exterior surfaces
* Windows, Doors and Wood Trim
* Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks or decay
* Joints around frames are caulked
* No broken glass or damaged screens, no broken seals on double-pane insulated glass
* Glazing compound in good condition
* Storm windows or thermal glass used
* Drip cap installed

Roof

* Composition shingles: no curling, no loss of granulation, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing
* Wood shingles or shakes: no mold or decay, do damage, no curling
* Flat roof: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters and wrinkles, no silt deposits (which indicate improper drainage)
* Flashing around roof penetrations
* No evidence of excess roofing cement
* Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains
* Exterior venting for area under roof (soffit vents and ridge vents are preferable), vents are clean
* Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits
* Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar cap in good condition

Attic

* No stains on underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations
* No evidence of decay or damage to structure
* Adequate insulation: inches of ___
* Adequate venting, clear path into attic for air entering through soffit vents
* No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic
* No open electrical splices

Interior Rooms

* Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb/level
* No stains on floors, walls or ceilings
* Flooring materials in good condition
* No significant cracks in walls or ceilings
* Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping
* Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware
* Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition
* Wood trim installed well and in good condition
* Lights and switches operate properly
* Adequate electrical outlets in each room
* Electrical outlets test properly (spot check)
* Heating/cooling source in each habitable room
* Evidence of adequate insulation in walls
* Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of smoke, damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined

Kitchen

* Working exhaust fan
* GFCI protection for electrical outlets near sink
* Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets
* No leaks in pipes under sinks
* Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay
* Water flow in sink adequate
* No excessive rust on garbage disposal
* Built-in appliances operate properly
* Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly

Bathrooms

* Working exhaust fan
* Adequate flow and pressure in all fixtures
* Sink, tub and shower drain properly
* Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition
* If sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn't leak
* Toilet operates properly
* Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base
* Caulking in good condition inside tub and shower area
* Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid
* No stains around base of bath or shower

Miscellaneous

* Smoke detectors where required
* Stairway treads and risers solid
* Stair rails where needed, and in good condition
* Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles
* Basement or Mechanical Room
* No evidence of moisture
* Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence
* Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to foundation with anchor bolts
* Insulation at rim (or "band") joists (recommended in cold climates)

Crawl Space

* Adequately vented to outside
* Insulation on exposed pipes and vents
* Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area
* No evidence of insect damage
* No evidence of moisture damage

Plumbing

* Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes, drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet
* Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, seismically secured (attached to studs)
* Water pump: does not short cycle
* Galvanized pipes do not appear to restrict water flow
* Drain clean out does not show signs of frequent use
* Well water test is acceptable

Electrical

* Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected
* Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating
* No aluminum cable for branch circuits

Heating/Cooling System

* Appears to operate well throughout -- good air flow
* Flues: no open seams, slopes up to outside
* No rust around cooling unit
* No combustion gas odor
* Air filter clean
* Ductwork in good condition
* No asbestos on steam or water pipes, or air ducts
* Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal

Additional Questions

Who performed the work on any recent repairs, improvements, or remodeling? Were the appropriate building permits obtained and inspections performed?

Have there been any leaks in the roof? Has there been a problem with ice dams? How old is the roof?

Has there been any leakage or moisture in the basement?

Has the septic system or sewer line required unusual maintenance?

Can you provide copies of heating, electric and other utility bills?

Has an exterminator ever been hired for the property?

Has the structure been tested for hazardous materials such as radon, asbestos and lead?