Home inspection questions, answered
Answers from Certified Master Inspector® Darren McClurg, the owner and only inspector of Bent Nails Home Inspections in Ottawa. Something not covered here? Call or text 613-355-0021.
The inspection
What does a standard home inspection include?
The structure, foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, insulation, windows and doors, plus grading and drainage, the attic and ventilation, fireplaces, appliances, and safety items like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
How long does a home inspection take?
Typically 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the home’s size, age and condition, and as long as it takes to do the job properly.
Is a home inspection worth it?
Yes. Even a clean inspection buys the assurance that a major repair is not waiting for you. Paying a few hundred dollars for a report you turn out not to need beats skipping it and paying thousands for a new roof in your first year. Inspections are not mandatory, but for most buyers they are a sound investment in knowing what they are buying.
Can a house fail an inspection?
No. An inspection describes the home’s condition and what needs repair or replacement; it is not a pass or fail.
Is a home inspection a building code inspection?
Not for a resale home. A home inspection reports the condition of the house. Bent Nails checks for building code compliance only on new construction inspections.
What are the limitations of a home inspection?
A home inspection is visual and limited to what can be reached. The inspector does not move the owner’s belongings, take anything apart, or do anything destructive or risky to people or the property.
Does a standard inspection include engineering, architectural, plumbing or sewer assessments?
No. Work that needs an occupational licence from local or provincial authorities, such as engineering, architecture or licensed plumbing, is outside a standard home inspection, and Darren does not comment on it in writing.
Do you inspect log homes?
Log homes and similar log construction are excluded from the standard inspection because of how they are built. Decay inside logs in the walls, foundation or roof is not assessed.
Can I inspect the house myself, or have a handy relative do it?
You can, but a trained inspector sees defects that an untrained eye misses, even a skilled contractor’s. Darren was a contractor for over two decades himself, and many contractors and tradespeople hire a professional home inspector when they buy. Inspecting is its own skill, built through training and hundreds of inspections.
Can a home inspector make repairs?
No major repairs. Darren will tell you what needs repair and may suggest minor fixes, but the decision and the choice of contractor stay with you. That keeps the inspection free of any conflict of interest.
Do you use drones for roof inspections?
Yes, when a roof is too steep, fragile or snow-covered to walk safely. In the coldest months a high-zoom camera is used instead.
What are the most serious problems an inspection can find?
Structural ones. Problems with the foundation, walls or roof affect the stability and safety of the whole house. Cracks or movement in concrete slabs and foundations can mean the ground is shifting or settling and may need immediate attention.
Price, report and after
How much does an inspection cost?
A buyer’s or pre-listing inspection starts at $400, Tarion warranty and drone roof inspections at $249, and an annual check-up at $200. Add-ons such as appliances, a crawlspace or a detached garage are priced on the booking form, so you see the estimate before you send it.
How soon do I get the report?
The same day — usually within a few hours of the inspection — with photos, plain-language explanations and practical next steps.
What if I have questions after the inspection?
Call Darren directly and talk through any part of the house, whenever you like. The inspection is the start of the relationship, not the end of it.
When are inspections available?
Mon–Fri 8am–8pm — Weekends by appointment. Book online or call 613-355-0021.
What areas do you serve?
Ottawa and the surrounding communities, including Orléans, Kanata, Barrhaven, Nepean, Stittsville, Manotick, Riverside South, Navan, Cumberland, Rockland, Embrun, Russell, Carp, Richmond, Greely.
New homes and Tarion
Do you inspect new homes under Tarion Warranty?
Yes. 30-day, year-end, second-year and major structural defect inspections, timed so your findings are documented before each Tarion deadline.
Which Tarion inspections matter most?
All three of the early ones. The 30-day and year-end inspections catch workmanship and finishing defects, and the second-year inspection catches water getting into the house. Darren recommends every new home owner get all three.
What is not covered by the Tarion warranty?
For freehold homes, contract homes and condominium units, Tarion does not cover defects in materials, design or work supplied by the homeowner, secondary damage caused by a warranted defect (such as property damage or personal injury), or normal wear and tear.
What can void a new home warranty?
Damage from an improperly installed appliance or system, a breakdown caused by age, a lack of maintenance, or a pre-existing issue. Darren has also seen warranties voided when owners of base-model homes upgraded areas without telling Tarion or the builder, so always tell them first.
How many defects are acceptable in a new home?
Under warranty, report everything on your 30-day form and every issue other than wear and tear in the first year. Outside warranty it depends on how serious the issue is: get repair quotes from contractors and negotiate through your Realtor.
Is an extended home warranty worth buying?
Often not. It costs money up front for coverage you may never use, and exclusions can leave many repairs uncovered. For a new build, the Tarion inspections at 30 days, one year and two years protect you more.
Selling your home
Why get a pre-listing inspection before selling?
It tells you your home’s condition before a buyer’s inspector does, which builds credibility with buyers and shortens negotiations. Without one, a buyer can claim a $15,000 problem that would cost $50 to fix yourself.
What if the pre-listing inspection finds problems?
You have options: fix them, offer the buyer a credit, or sell as-is and disclose them. Darren tells you which fixes are cheap enough to be worth doing before you list.
Does a pre-listing inspection cover cosmetic imperfections?
No. It focuses on safety hazards and structural concerns. Many cosmetic flaws only show in certain light, and owners spot them at different times of day; if Darren does see one, it is photographed and goes in the report.
Does a pre-listing inspection estimate market value or come with a guarantee?
No. It is an objective assessment of the property’s condition. It does not value the home or offer a warranty or guarantee.
About Bent Nails
Are you a certified home inspector?
Yes. Darren McClurg is a Certified Master Inspector®, the highest designation in the industry, which requires ongoing education and is verified by InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
Who will inspect my home?
Darren McClurg. He founded Bent Nails in 2016 and is its owner and only inspector, so the person who books your inspection walks the house, writes the report and answers your questions afterwards.
Why choose Bent Nails?
One-on-one communication with an experienced inspector who has your interests in mind, the information you need to make an informed decision, and peace of mind that the home you chose is right for you.
Ask Darren directly.