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The Service
What IS a home walkthrough
A home walkthrough is a detailed look at the house you just bought to familiarize yourself with it.
It is done BEFORE the sellers move out, and before you move in.
This is the ONLY service of its kind, so you'll have to familiarize yourself with it. But once you understand it, it makes sense.
Do you need one?
Actually? ...Yes... read why...
What do we do while we are there?
We actually go to the house and with the current owner we learn about the house. Sort of like we used to do several decades ago, but now in more detail. We all go through the house, floor by floor, room by room inside, then outside, and we look at the property and anything there. We look at all the features and discuss renovations and changes, why things were done, routine maintenance that you'll need to do, seasonal preparations you would have to do, guarantees on any work that was done, warranties on any appliances or systems in the house, how things work, and much more.
How long will we be there?
It depends on the property of course but it usually takes a minimum of two hours. For example, a house in town would take a couple of hours. A rural property with acreage, buildings, a barn, pond, woodstove, propane tank, etc, could take much of a day.
The owners explain what they know about the property, you ask your questions about the house, and I ask the questions no one else thinks of. You take your notes and take pictures and videos so you remember later once you're moved in.
The details
How much is a walkthrough?
How much is a walkthrough?
How much is a walkthrough?
$200.00 +gst Most Homes
$300.00 +gst Custom Homes
$500.00 +gst Designer Homes
and Rural Estates
Before the appointment has been made the type of house will be established by the address, whether it is like Most Homes, if it is a Custom Home, or if it is a Designer Home or a Rural Estate. Each has more features in ascending order that you will be learning about, and it will take appropriately longer to go through.
When do I pay for this?
How much is a walkthrough?
How much is a walkthrough?
We arrange for you to pay when you set the appointment, or, if you want to pay cash, you can on the day of the appointment before we begin.
How do we arrange this?
How much is a walkthrough?
Again... why get a home walkthrough?
Once you've closed the deal, call and say you want to do a home walkthrough of the property you just bought.
I will have you contact the seller and tell them you want to arrange a visit.
We will figure out a date and time we all can get together.
Contact us right away though. It can take a surprisingly long time to arrange three schedules.
We meet at the house at the appointed time and look over the property.
Again... why get a home walkthrough?
Again... why get a home walkthrough?
Again... why get a home walkthrough?
If you're not buying a new home from a builder, it's used, and all used homes have a history and the way things are that you need to know as much about as possible.
Just as the home you're leaving has a way it "works", so does the home you're going to. There is no reason you can't "walk into" your next home and know how it works too.
There's more?
Again... why get a home walkthrough?
Rural properties and Estates
Beyond how the home "works" are things such as what is due for maintenance and what has been done to the house. Renovations, Additions, Mechanical Systems, Electronics, Appliances... When were they installed and why were they needed, What were the costs, Who were the contractors, Are there Guarantees or Warranties... and more. If there is an oil or propane tank or woodstove or insert you have to learn about them, how to use them, and of your responsibilities regarding them.
Rural properties and Estates
Again... why get a home walkthrough?
Rural properties and Estates
These have special features. Who maintains the landscaping and snow removal? Who monitors the mechanical systems? Who maintains the pool? Who services the sprinklers? Is there a security system? how does it work, how extensive is it? If there is a drivehouse, a barn or other buildings, a pond, solar or other power, you need to learn about it.
If it is a Century Home, you need to know about interior or exterior restrictions, designations, plumbing and wiring updates, and more..
THE ONE MAN TEAM
Ian Cole
Maybe your master's degree isn't in homes, but mine was. In the mid 70's my home experience started as an employee for various contractors. In the mid 80's my own business Small Stuff Maintenance Service started as a service contractor providing a crew for townhouse maintenance for three Property Management companies servicing over 300 re
Maybe your master's degree isn't in homes, but mine was. In the mid 70's my home experience started as an employee for various contractors. In the mid 80's my own business Small Stuff Maintenance Service started as a service contractor providing a crew for townhouse maintenance for three Property Management companies servicing over 300 rental units, as well as doing small handyman repairs for private homeowners. A general contracting crew was added as Small Stuff Renovations shortly after, building additions, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, decks and fences. Bathtub re-glazing and countertop recoloring was also added as a service. Several years later The Work Crew, a commercial building maintenance overload service crew was added who worked nights.
Since 2000, just as Ian Cole, I have inspected over fourteen thousand homes in various Provinces for replacement cost value, sometimes taking the time to explain to owners how their house "works" when they realized how much I knew about their house after being there for only a half hour or so.
Home walkthrough was created after many people told me I should make a business of teaching people about their house because I taught them so much.