I recently read in the Millpond forum a disturbing post where one home inspection company has been banned from doing PDI’s with Mattamy while another one has been given the green light. You should be aware that during the PDI you can bring someone with you to assist. Nowhere in the legislation does it mention that the person need be qualified to assist. I mean, you can bring old uncle Harry along if you want. The less qualified, the less observant, the less talkative the better, in the eyes of the builder as faults will get through and not be recorded.
Remember to record everything and send it into Tarion or you won’t have a leg to stand on later if the builder refuses/forgets/can’t be bothered to correct those errors.
Supposedly this one house inspection firm sent unqualified inspectors who were disruptive. As someone hiring a house inspector, you don’t want someone argumentive but, you do want someone that will go the whole route in identifying issues that need to be documented. The guy who does the PDI for Mattamy or another builder – what kind of qualifications do they have to argue construction quality? Are they accredited? A search of Mattamy Customer Service oriented jobs on the construction site does not show any need for accreditation.
An agressive house inspector is someone a builder doesn’t want. The more you put on a PDI, the more the builder is responsible for and the name of the game is profit, not perfection.
Unless the house inspector has been formally trespassed by the builder, they can’t stop you from bringing them with you. If the house inspector becomes disruptive, you can ask them to leave or, the builder can trespass them under the law. But telling you who can and cannot come with you smacks of bully boy tactics, of which I have suffered in the hands of Mattamy.
I’ve been told by house inspectors to not trust house inspectors recommended by real estate agents. I would also think you might shy away from house inspectors on a builders recommended list. Question why they have picked some over the others.
And, a Code of Conduct to be signed by a house inspector? That is insulting to say the least and intimidating. Do you have a plumber, lawyer, doctor, etc sign a Code of Conduct prior to doing business with you? Does the builder sign a Code of Conduct prior to your purchase?
So, I do believe in house inspectors being given some sort of accreditation to ensure they are up to snuff and if they are so accredited, then the builder has no right to refuse them access if they are hired by you, unless formally trespassed under the law. Poor construction equates to more restrictions on how you can protect yourself. Remember that next time you purchase a h0me.
And Mattamy? What’s with this bully boy stuff forcing home owners to only hire whom you approve of? I think some house inspection firms might have a legal argument against you.
Any thoughts on that Mr. Gilgan?
http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us
Oakville Homes 
You don’t need a home inspector to point out deficiencies. Tarion gives every new home owner a list of items to check while doing a P.D.I. (pre-delivery inspection),further more, you have a 30 day deficiency list that you can create while living in the home for the 30 days. After living there 1 year, you have another deficiency list you can submit. New home owners need only review the information provided by Tarion and the Home Owner Information package that comes with every new home and complete the lists on time. The warranty covers the home for 7 years against major structural defects. If a home owner needs to know what to look for then all they have to do is review the Tarion Construction Performance Guidelines there is a link right from thier web site. It lists common warranted and non-warranted defects in new homes.
Why waste your money on a home inspector, leave them for when you buy an older home and let them point out the problems with homes that have components that are wearing out or potentially need costly repairs. These older homes don’t have any warranty and require an expert to evaluate them.
Comment by SMason — January 13, 2010 @ 7:17 pm |
[…] January 6th posting, titled: “Is Mattamy picking and choosing your house inspector?” SMason left a very informative comment where he/she outlined what can be done under Tarion and […]
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