Inside Edge
  • Home
  • Services
  • Mike's Blog
  • Contact
  • Qualifications
  • FAQs
  • Sample Report
  • Pricing
  • Guarantees

Mike's Home Inspector Blog

InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector
Halifax, Nova Scotia

What It Means to Be a Professional

1/12/2025

0 Comments

 
As an inspector who prioritizes quality and personalized service over sheer volume, I don’t accumulate reviews at the same pace as high-traffic businesses like restaurants. Unlike eateries that serve hundreds of customers daily, I rarely perform more than one inspection-related job in a single day. That said, I deeply value all forms of feedback, using it as a tool to continuously refine my processes and deliver unmatched value.

I personally read and respond to every comment or review about Inside Edge Home Inspections online. If there’s one word that consistently appears in these reviews, it’s "professional." Seeing this term repeatedly fills me with pride, as professionalism is one of the cornerstones of my business model. It’s also a quality I believe many small businesses could focus on improving.

What Does it Mean to be Professional?
The dictionary defines professionalism as "a person engaged or qualified in a profession" and "a person competent or skilled in a particular activity." For me, however, the concept goes far beyond these definitions. To truly embody the title of Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), I focus on the following key areas:

Education
In Nova Scotia, as in most of Canada, there are no mandatory regulations for home inspections. Despite this, I operate my business as if such regulations were in place. I have completed thousands of hours of education and consistently exceed the requirement of 24 hours of annual continuing education needed to maintain my CPI certification. My academic background is extensive. I’m a graduate of SMU, Dalhousie, and NSCC, and I was fortunate to work at NSCC for 16 years, where I got to work alongside electricians, carpenters and other home building experts. This diverse educational foundation underscores my commitment to staying ahead of industry standards.

Attention to Detail
Inspecting a home isn’t merely a matter of ticking boxes on a checklist. A professional inspector—such as myself—has a sharp eye for detail. I examine every aspect of a property, from the roof to the foundation. This includes assessing the condition of structural components, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC systems, and more. It’s a role that demands a systematic, generalist mindset—a strength I’ve honed over the years.

Effective Communication
A great home inspector doesn’t just identify issues; they communicate their findings clearly and effectively. My inspection reports are comprehensive yet straightforward, featuring detailed descriptions, photographs, and actionable recommendations. Clients from all walks of life find them easy to understand, which is a point of pride for me.

Personal Presentation
For many clients, hiring a home inspector coincides with one of the most significant decisions of their lives. I always keep this in mind, ensuring I present myself in a manner that reflects the gravity of the situation. From punctuality and professional attire to respectful communication and a high-energy attitude, I aim to instill confidence and trust in every interaction.
​
The Hallmark of Success
Being a professional home inspector involves much more than technical expertise. It’s about embodying excellence, integrity, and unwavering client service. For me, it’s not enough to be above average or “mostly ethical”—I demand the very best of myself.

Whether you’re seeking to hire an inspector or considering a career in the field, remember: professionalism is the hallmark of success. It’s the driving force behind Inside Edge Home Inspections, and it’s what sets exceptional service apart from the rest.
0 Comments

Home Inspection Through the Autism Lens

3/31/2024

0 Comments

 
​April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, and this is a topic I feel passionate about almost as much as I do about home inspections. Why? Because your favourite inspector has been diagnosed with Autism, otherwise known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While Autism is classified as a permanent disability, I prefer to think of it as a different-ability, mostly because less than 2% of the population falls under the criteria for ASD. 

There are a lot of harmful myths around people on the spectrum, the worst being that they are incapable of being good employees or even being successful in life. Let's shatter that myth right now!
Picture
One of the motivations for starting my own company from the ground up was a desire to be a trailblazer: studies have shown that up to 65% of Autistic adults are unable to find employment and this is not because of any lack of talent or job skills: the entire job search process is often stacked against those in the autistic community, something I know and have experienced firsthand many times in my working career.

Here are a few reasons why, if all goes well in the coming years, it will be an easy decision to hire neurodivergent people if the opportunity arose. Being on the spectrum, I know what an untapped market this is!

Attention to Detail
One of the hallmark traits of autism is an acute attention to detail. For a home inspector, this can be a tremendous asset. Those on the spectrum often excel at noticing small discrepancies or irregularities that others might overlook. From identifying cracks in the foundation to pinpointing subtle signs of water damage, individuals with autism can offer a meticulous eye during the inspection process. I recently spotted an issue that turned out to be major, saving my clients about $8000 in repair costs!

Pattern Recognition
Individuals with autism frequently demonstrate a talent for pattern recognition. This ability allows them to discern underlying structures or trends that may not be immediately apparent to others. In the context of home inspection, this skill can be invaluable when analyzing complex systems such as electrical wiring or plumbing (I like to think of this as my greatest strength). By recognizing patterns in these systems, inspectors can more effectively identify potential issues and provide thorough assessments to their clients.

Sensory Sensitivities
Many individuals on the autism spectrum experience sensory sensitivities, meaning they may be more attuned to environmental stimuli such as light, sound, or texture. While this is often seen only as a negative trait, it can also offer unique insights during a home inspection. Sensory-aware inspectors may notice subtle cues – like the hum of an appliance or the feel of a draft – that could indicate underlying problems within the home's infrastructure. I have caught many issues because of my hypersensitivity. 

Communication and Client Interaction
There is a common belief that those on the spectrum are poor communicators and therefore can't make good home inspectors. While some individuals with autism may face challenges in social communication, many develop effective strategies for navigating interactions with others. Home inspectors on the spectrum can leverage their skills to provide clear explanations and address client concerns. Our direct communication style and ability to convey complex information in a straightforward manner can foster trust and confidence in clients. 

In the world of home inspection, diversity of thought and perspective is essential. By embracing neurodiversity and recognizing the strengths that individuals with autism bring to the table, we can enrich the field and better serve our clients. From their acute attention to detail and pattern recognition skills to their unique insights into sensory experiences, home inspectors on the autism spectrum offer a valuable perspective that enhances the quality and thoroughness of the inspection process. 

We at Inside Edge are a company that strongly values diversity and inclusion: it is not just a meaningless platitude, it is the backbone of the entire company based on direct, personal experience. Neurodivergent people can always feel comfortable around our company and if I am ever in a position to hire, there is no need to worry about being treated unfairly or having to pretend to be someone else.

In the meantime, just remember if you have met one person with Autism, you have met one person with Autism, likely someone with incredible untapped potential! 
0 Comments

Statements I Will Never Make

10/10/2021

0 Comments

 
One of the great things about being the founder and president of a small company is that I can handle many of the business tasks myself and nearly everything is handled by our family. This gives me great freedom to provide outstanding value and go the extra mile (or 1.6 kilometres if you prefer). I personally answer all calls, read all texts and emails, and give clear answers to all inquiries even if I believe another professional would be better suited for your needs. It is great to be free to speak without following a corporate script but there are a few phrases you will never hear me (and hopefully no other home inspector) utter.

This House is Overpriced/A Great Deal/Just Right

I certainly have personal opinions on the current housing market, but they are just that: personal. As a professional home inspector who also completed a business degree, I have extensive training in the subject of making optimal financial decisions within budget constraints. However, this is beyond the scope of an independent home inspector. You will never hear me advise whether you should buy a house or not, but I will alert a client if I believe their expectations are greatly misaligned with my observations, such as expecting a turnkey home when it needs extensive maintenance.

The Home is Full of Dangerous Mold/Asbestos
Contrary to popular belief, there is no way to identify ‘toxic’ mold or asbestos from a visual examination alone. Are there signs that a house almost certainly has issues with either? Absolutely but there is no way to be 100% sure without a lab test. While beyond the standard of a home inspection I usually alert my clients if further testing or evaluation is recommended but you will never see me make any definitive statements because they simply cannot be made in the field.

Call Me to Fix This Issue 
One of the many requirements of being a member of InterNACHI (the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) is to follow their code of ethics (InterNACHI Code of Ethics). This is more than a meaningless platitude: everyone who is affiliated with our company is expected to follow it without exception. One such requirement is to avoid all real or perceived conflicts of interest. Therefore, while I fancy myself a bit of a handyman, we InterNACHI members are not permitted to perform repairs for an extra fee for 12 months. Yes, I will occasionally tighten a loose screw or clear a gutter blockage if I am safely able to, but you will never see me charging extra. The inspection fee is the only price I charge and if the inspection takes far longer than expected you still don’t receive any additional invoice or other hidden charges.

Please Listen Closely to Our Menu Options
Few things annoy me more than calling a company and having to navigate unclear menus only to be sent to the wrong department. Amazingly these same companies almost always have a ‘higher than normal’ call volume and my ‘call is important’ despite spending significant time on hold. While I am frequently away from the phone, make no mistake I will always call back as soon as possible and will give you a clear answer to your inquiry.

I am aware that the majority of people calling me can be under a great deal of time pressure and stress, whether it be because they are dealing with the various steps of a real estate transaction, dealing with one of the many issues that being a homeowner can throw at you or are worried about a potential structural problem you can rest assured that we will not add to that stress and can give you clear, immediate answers without having to deal with a headache inducing call centre. 
0 Comments

Can You Fail a Home Inspection?

7/19/2021

0 Comments

 
One of the questions frequently posed to home inspectors is if a home can fail an inspection and if so, how often do homes fail? The simple answer to that is no: we are independent consultants, not municipal code compliance officers and do not condemn homes. Every client has different expectations and what their tipping point is and will have to make that decision for themselves and as home inspectors we provide the necessary knowledge and facts. Yes, there are a number of issues that are very serious and difficult if not impossible to remedy at a reasonable cost but luckily, they are rare in my experience.

One of the ways I accomplish my goal of providing detailed information and organize my reports in a way that is easy to understand is to provide an action list at the end of each report. I then organize tasks based on what I consider the priority level: every inspector is different, but I personally break down my recommendations into four basic categories:  
Picture
In reality, while these specific examples look easy to categorize in many cases a great deal of judgement is used in making proper recommendations. One such example is a cracked foundation: a crack can be a sign of anything from a cosmetic nuisance right up to a symptom of complete structural failure. Luckily the overwhelming majority of cracks are minor but as a home inspector we can advise whether the services of a structural engineer or other specialist should be sought. 

​As a volunteer first responder, possibly the most important skill other than immediate life-saving actions is to not only report and observe but also to understand when an issue needs further attention and if so, what form it should take: many issues look serious on the surface but are relatively minor while others are only serious to the trained eye and need immediate attention. Developing this skill has served me well as a home inspector too, where I am able to put issues in the proper context, not overreacting or underreacting to what I see. 

Home inspector's reports do not have a grade and there is no such thing as pass or fail but there are issues with various degrees of seriousness in each and every home. This is why I promote and recommend regular maintenance inspections: we can help you avoid surprises and to plan and budget for preventative maintenance on your terms.  
0 Comments

True But Misleading Statements

7/5/2021

0 Comments

 
If you ever do research on how to become a home inspector or what makes a great home inspector, you will find lots of information on the benefits of having things like a construction, engineering or trades background or a strong eye for detail. One thing that rarely is discussed is the importance of communication: not only to explain potential issues we find but to put them into the proper context using our skills and knowledge. Here are some examples of statements that are 100% true, yet are very misleading:

Electric Heating is 100% Efficient
No high efficiency furnace or boiler can compete with electric heat, but this ignores the simple fact that electricity is usually produced by generators which are about 30% efficient. Overall, electric heating is the most inefficient and expensive way to heat a home.

Electrical Heating is the Most Inefficient and Expensive Way to Heat a Home
Again, this is correct on the surface but is misleading. There are a few advantages of electric heat: no oil or propane tanks are needed, they are easy and inexpensive to install, and they can be relatively easily added to cold areas of a home. They are also great for distant areas where heat is only needed sparingly, such as in a garage or workshop. In short, all heating sources have advantages and disadvantages and that is why there are so many different examples seen in homes.

Radon is a Radioactive, Tasteless, Odourless Gas That is Everywhere and There is No Safe Limit  
You can also substitute "Carbon Monoxide” and this statement would again be true but misleading. Every single home has radon and while there is no agreed safe limit the Canadian guideline is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m3) and no action is recommended unless the long-term levels in your home exceed this. I have discussed this in depth in a previous blog post, but the bottom line is radon can indeed be dangerous but, in many cases, it is not a concern.

Inside Edge Home Inspections Ltd. Uses an Unlicensed Home Inspector
Sounds shocking that I would admit this is true until you learn that in Canada ALL inspectors outside of British Columbia and Alberta are unlicensed: a license not only is not required but does not exist. Furthermore, as of 2021, there are absolutely no requirements to anyone calling themselves a home inspector in any of the Atlantic Provinces. Our website demonstrates my impressive credentials and extensive experience, including completing 340 hours and counting of continuing education just in 2021 alone. If licensing becomes available our company will be first in line to sign up and I run our company to the point getting a license would be very easy if available. 

The reality is we are fully incorporated in Nova Scotia, our company is a certified member of InterNACHI, the world’s largest home inspection organization, and I am a Certified Professional Inspector with InterNACHI. Our passion is providing quality, independent home inspections and we fully support all efforts to raise the standards in our industry. 
0 Comments

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021

    Categories

    All
    AED
    Aerial Photography
    AFCI
    AI
    Air Conditioning
    Aluminum
    Anode Rod
    Ants
    Arcs
    Arsenic
    Asbestos
    ASD
    Attic
    Autism
    Balcony
    Basement
    Brick
    Building Inspector
    Carbon Monoxide
    ChatGPT
    Children
    Chimney
    Chinese Drywall
    Christmas
    Circuit Breakers
    Cliches
    Clocks
    CO Detectors
    Communication
    Concrete
    Contractors
    Copper
    Cost
    Criticisms
    Current
    Data
    Deck
    Doors
    Drains
    Drone
    Drywall
    DWV
    Eavestroughs
    EIFS
    Electrical
    ERV
    Exterior
    Failed Seals
    Female Inspectors
    Fiber Cement
    Fibreglass
    Fibreglass Shingles
    Fireplaces
    Fire Safety
    First Aid
    First Time Homebuyers
    Flips
    Flooding
    Flooring
    Fluoride
    Foundation
    Framing
    Fuses
    Garage
    Garage Doors
    Garage Safety
    Gfci
    Growops
    Heating
    Heat Pumps
    Hgtv
    Hoarding
    Home Inspectors
    Hrv
    Humidity
    HVAC
    Ice Dams
    ICF
    Infrared
    Insulation
    Ionization
    Joe Mazza
    Kitchen
    Kitec
    Knob & Tube
    Lead
    Manufactured Houses
    Marijuana
    Masonry
    Meth
    Mike Holmes
    Mineral Wool
    Mini Homes
    Misconceptions
    Mobile Homes
    Moisture
    Mold
    Newcomers
    New Inspectors
    Oil Tanks
    Open Concept
    Orangeburg
    Patina
    Personal Decor
    Pests
    Photoelectric
    Plumbing
    Polybutylene
    Pressure
    Price
    Professionalism
    Psychrometrics
    Radon
    Rain Gutters
    Real Estate Agents
    Regulations
    Remodelling
    Renovations
    Resistance
    Ridge Vent
    Roofing
    Rust
    Safety
    Scams
    Septic
    Sewer
    Sewer Scopes
    Sheds
    Shipping Containers
    Siding
    Smoke Detectors
    Smoking
    Soffits
    Staircases
    Steel
    Stove
    Structure
    Stucco
    Sump Pump
    Swamp Coolers
    Temperature
    Termites
    Trailer Parks
    Trees
    Value
    Ventilation
    Ventless Heaters
    Vinyl
    Voltage
    Walls
    Wasps
    Water Heater
    Water Testing
    WDOs
    Windows
    Wiring
    Wood
    Wood Rot

    RSS Feed

Picture
Inside Edge Home Inspections Ltd. 
Halifax, NS
902-209-9921
[email protected]
Proudly Serving the HRM & Central Nova Scotia
Picture
  • Home
  • Services
  • Mike's Blog
  • Contact
  • Qualifications
  • FAQs
  • Sample Report
  • Pricing
  • Guarantees