Questions Nobody Ever Asks

Most home inspection websites have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section covering the basics: What is a home inspection? Can I attend? (Absolutely!) How long does it take? (Most inspections are around 2 to 2.5 hours on site, depending on the home.) Do home inspectors tell you whether to buy a house? (No, that decision is always yours.)
Those are important questions, but over the years I've noticed there are a few interesting questions that almost nobody asks. Here are some of my favourites:

Why Don’t You Offer Short Term Radon Tests?
In other words: "Why don't you offer the quick 48-hour test?"

The simple answer is that I don't believe it provides my clients with the most reliable information.  Although I have the training to perform radon testing, Health Canada recommends long-term testing—ideally between 3 and 12 months, with a minimum of 90 days during the heating season—to accurately determine a home's average radon level. Radon concentrations naturally fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day based on weather, barometric pressure, ventilation, and how the home is used.

Short-term tests can sometimes be useful in limited circumstances, but they should never be considered a substitute for a properly conducted long-term test. They also require strict "closed-house conditions," meaning windows must remain closed and exterior doors opened only as necessary. In the middle of a Nova Scotia summer (which is when the bulk of inspections are performed), that's not always practical or comfortable.

While a 48-hour test is generally better than no test at all, it can produce misleading results. A falsely low reading may provide an unwarranted sense of security, while a high reading often needs to be confirmed with a longer test anyway. Rather than offering a service that may not provide meaningful answers, I prefer to recommend testing methods that give homeowners the most accurate information possible.

What Does “Independent Home Inspector” Mean?
People sometimes assume that being an "independent" inspector means being opposed to real estate agents. That couldn't be further from the truth. Many real estate professionals throughout Nova Scotia are dedicated advocates for their clients, just as I strive to be for mine. We often work together toward the same goal: helping buyers and sellers make informed decisions.

Being independent simply means that I work for you, not for a real estate brokerage, contractor, or any other third party with an interest in the transaction. My responsibility is to provide an objective assessment of the home's condition without pressure to make a report more favourable (or more alarming) than the facts warrant.

Whether I'm performing a pre-purchase inspection, a pre-listing inspection, or a maintenance inspection on the very same home, my observations and recommendations are consistent. The condition of the house doesn't change based on who hired me, and neither should the report.

What’s the Most Interesting Personal Items or Décor You Have Seen in a Home?
Honestly? Nothing I'd ever talk about.

One of the things I take most seriously as a home inspector is respecting my clients' privacy. While I'm trained to carefully examine the home's systems and components, I'm equally careful to look past people's belongings. My focus is on the house, not the people living in it. In fact, if there were a way to temporarily make every piece of furniture and personal property disappear during an inspection, I'd be thrilled. It would certainly make my job easier!

Several years ago, I read a news story about an inspector who found a homeowner's long-lost personal belongings while searching an attic. Many people saw it as a heartwarming story, but it raised an important professional issue for me. Home inspectors should avoid moving, opening, or searching through personal belongings unless it's absolutely necessary to inspect an accessible component of the home. If personal property prevents access to an area, I'll discuss it with the homeowner before proceeding rather than simply moving their belongings myself.

Trust is Everything
Inviting a home inspector into your home requires trust. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply maintaining your property, you're allowing someone you've likely just met to spend several hours examining one of your biggest investments.

I never take that responsibility lightly.

My goal is to provide an honest, thorough inspection while treating every home, and everything in it, with respect. I strive to leave nothing behind except a detailed inspection report and, hopefully, no evidence that I was ever there beyond the photographs needed to document the home's condition. At the end of the day, home inspection isn't just about finding defects. It's about earning trust, providing clarity, and helping people make informed decisions with confidence.