It's often said that one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make will be your home. However, unlike the guarantee a buyer receives with most purchases, there's no money-back guarantee or return policy if you're not satisfied with your recently purchased home. Once you buy a home, you're on your own to maintain it, repair it, anticipate problems and pay the bills. This is why it's best to know as much as you can about potential problems before you make the commitment to buy.

One of the best ways to understand about a home's condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will determine the components that are not performing properly as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. They will also identify areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past. Inspections are intended to provide the client with a better understanding of property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection. A pre-purchase inspection for a  home typically takes about three hours and costs around $350 to $500 depending on the size and age of the home. Following the inspection, the buyer is presented with a written report, consolidating the details of the inspection. The home inspector should be willing to answer any questions a buyer might have and to clarify the limitations of the inspection to avoid misunderstandings. It is recommended that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience.

Home inspections are intended to provide information regarding the condition of systems and components of the home at the time of the inspection. It will help you make an informed purchase decision. The home inspector will provide a visual inspection by looking at the home's various systems, including interior and exterior components. The inspector will check exterior components including roofing, flashing, chimneys, gutters, downspouts, wall surfaces, windows, doors, the foundation and the grading around it. Note that if the inspection takes place in the winter, the roof and the foundation may not be fully visible for inspection if they are covered with snow and ice. For safety and insurance reasons, the home inspector would not typically climb up on snow or ice covered roofs. However, the home inspector will inspect the roof from the ground or other vantage point. This also applies to the chimney and downspouts.

If problems or symptoms beyond the scope of the inspection are found, the home inspector may recommend further evaluation. Interior systems the home inspector will check include electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, flooring, ceiling and walls, windows and doors. Note that a home inspector is not qualified to inspect a wood-burning appliance such as a fireplace or wood stove unless they are WETT (Wood Energy Technology Training) certified. Many home inspectors are, but do not carry out a WETT inspection as part of the standard home inspection unless it is requested. This is an extra request and will add at least one hour to the inspection time. To be properly inspected, a chimney must first be cleaned. As with the outside of the home, the inspection of the interior systems is visual, meaning that the inspector will be unable to see behind walls or under the floor.

Unless otherwise arranged, typically a home inspection does not include appraisals, exact quotes for repairs, or determine compliance with regulatory requirements. A home inspection is not intended to provide warranties or guarantees.

Home inspection is a discipline that requires special training, knowledge and communication skills. However, there is presently no mandatory certification and no legislated requirement for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a home inspector. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely. Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or regional industry association. These associations have set standards, which, in some cases, are recognized by provincial governments. Some associations have developed membership categories based on the individual members' qualifications. In most provinces, a member cannot advertise or promote his or her membership in the association until they have reached the minimum standards of a practicing member. Standards may vary from province to province. The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) with the support of CMHC, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Construction Sector Council, developed a voluntary national accreditation and certification program to help ensure the competency and professionalism of home inspectors. Home inspectors who have met the requirements of this national certification program are designated National Certificate Holders.

The following questions/answers have been prepared to help you to choose a home inspector:

Check association websites, the Yellow PagesTM or housing or home trade magazines. Ask friends or family members. Your real estate agent may also make a suggestion. However, be aware, under provincial regulations for some provinces, and the code of ethics for real estate agents, agents are not permitted to recommend or provide the name of only one home inspector. They are, however, permitted to provide a list of home inspectors from which you can choose. The only alliance home inspectors should have is to their professional association and their only allegiance should be to the homebuyer.

The competence of a house inspector can be expected to improve with the number of years in business and the number of home inspections conducted. Experienced home inspectors will be better prepared to assess the condition of the house.

Look for people who belong to a provincial association and who have taken inspection courses such as: defect recognition, building sciences, and home construction. Professional home inspectors are typically bound by a strict code of ethics and must adhere to specific standards of practice. Knowledgable home inspectors will have a general understanding of all the various systems and components in a home. Many have practical experience or a background in engineering, construction and related building trades. Keep in mind that at this time, anyone can become a member of a home inspection association. Many associations have different levels of membership. Being an association member does not necessarily mean that a member has successfully completed a certification process. Check to make sure that the inspector has successfully completed the association's certification process.

4. How do I know that a home inspector has the necessary qualifications?

You should ask to see proof of their membership in a provincial association. In most provinces, a member cannot advertise their membership in the association until they have reached the minimum standards of a practicing member. The association in your province will be pleased to clarify their membership categories and any particular inspector's membership level. Inspectors meeting the requirements of CAHPI's National Certification Program have a National Certificate Holder designation.

Any qualified home inspector should gladly provide this information upon request. Call the people named as references and ask whether they were satisfied with the service they received from the inspector. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau.

Many home inspectors associations have code of ethics that prevent home inspectors from offering services to repair or improve homes they have inspected. While they may provide you with a personal opinion based on past experience, it is recommended that you obtain three independent quotes from qualified contractors.

It is not desirable to conduct an inspection at night, since a number of the vital components of the exterior of the house cannot be seen properly.

The home inspector may point you to the firm's website, to their industry association, provide company details, list inspector qualifications or describe a range of services offered.

The home inspector generally provides a written report reviewing every major home system and component within 24 hours of the inspection.

This information is provided for general information purposes only.