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Skipping a Home Inspection: The Hidden Costs

by | Sep 1, 2024

Especially in a competitive market, the temptation of skipping a home inspection to save a few hundred dollars can be strong when buying a home. Unfortunately, the possible hidden expenses of this decision could substantially exceed the initial savings. Home inspections are meant to find problems not obvious during a typical property showing. Missing these issues could lead to significant financial and safety risks. 

Common Repair Issues That Go Unnoticed Without a Home Inspection

During a typical home viewing, potential buyers spend 10 to 15 minutes walking through a property. This brief time barely scratches the surface when it comes to critically assessing the home’s true condition. Many critical issues are easy to miss without the trained eye of a home inspector.
 

What problems can be missed without a home inspection?

  • Water Leaks: Upper-floor water leaks often go unnoticed, but they can lead to major damage in floors, walls, and ceilings below. Without an inspection, these leaks may not be identified until significant repairs are required.
  • Major Issues: During a quick 10-15 minute walkthrough, it’s unrealistic to catch major issues like roof damage, insulation problems, or foundation cracks. A thorough inspection, lasting between 1-1/2 to 3 hours, uncovers what a rushed viewing can not. Plumbing leaks, faulty electrical, roof damage, foundation cracks, and insulation problems are just a few of the more common issues that we see go unnoticed.
An upper floor bath tub; causing a leak onto the ceiling below. The leak would not be evident if you were to skip a home inspection.
By not skipping a home inspection; an inspector is able to discover hidden leaks from the tub above.
By not skipping a home inspection; an inspector is able to identify hidden leaks using a thermal camera.

A Buyer’s Financial Consequences on Skipped a Home Inspections

Skipping a home inspection can save you money upfront, but it often leads to much larger expenses after the purchase. Expenses that you as the buyer will take sole responsibility for. When you forgo a full inspection, any issues that arise become your financial burden, and there’s a missed opportunity for you to share that responsibility with the seller.

 

What are the financial risks of skipping a home inspection?

  • Major Repairs: The cost of a major fixes such as replacing a roof or furnace can reach thousands of dollars. If this need isn’t identified before the purchase, the buyer will have to bear the full cost.
  • Hidden Issues: Yes, you may save a few hundred dollars by skipping an inspection, but long-term repairs for undetected problems can quickly accumulate. By the time these issues present themselves they’ve likely cause damage to additional areas as well.

Real-Life Rewards vs. Risks of Waiving a Home Inspection

Sometimes, the consequences of moving ahead without an inspection are immediate and severe. Other times, they creep up on homeowners gradually. Here are some real-life examples that highlight the importance of a thorough inspection.

Reward: How One Cracked Window Paid for the Home Inspection

In my experience, it can often take identifying only one key defect for the home inspection to immediately return its value. During a routine 1-year new home warranty inspection, a cracked basement window was found. The window still had the original film on it, and dirt and construction debris covered the crack. The homeowners weren’t actively using the basement, and they were completely unaware of the problem. The inspection caught this defect in time, allowing the owners to have it repaired under warranty. While this wasn’t the only defect found, this one alone was enough to save them significant costs. One’s that far exceeded the cost of the home inspection.

Risk: Example Consequences of Skipping a Home Inspection

Waiving a home inspection might seem like a way to speed up the buying process, but the risks can lead to severe financial consequences. Several high-profile cases show how home buyers faced expensive remedial work and unexpected issues after passing on an inspection:

    • Home Buyer’s Remorse: Pandemic-driven competitive markets led many buyers to skip inspections, resulting in widespread buyer’s remorse. Hidden problems like structural damage and mold were only discovered after the purchase, leaving many purchasers with hefty bills. Read more here.
    • Hefty Aftermath Costs from a Canadian Neighbour: In one Vancouver case, a buyer who didn’t get an inspection was faced with $26,000 in repairs, including flooding issues, asbestos, and exposed wiring. Read the full story.
    • Unusual Finds by Calgary Home Inspectors: Fellow local inspectors have shared stories of discovering bizarre and dangerous defects, from hidden electrical hazards to infestations, showing how much can go wrong without a professional inspection. Check out the full article here.

I recently had my own unusual infestation find – dead bugs hidden behind the hood fan exhaust cover. See for yourself in these photos below.

A hood fan cover; hiding defects from a local Calgary home inspector.
A hood fan cover removed; ready for further inspection.
Further inspection of the hood fan area reveals a hidden dead bug infestation to the professional home inspector.
A close up of the dead bug infestation that was only revealed by savvy buyers who chose not to skip a home inspection.

How a Home Inspection Saves You Money in the Long Run

 A home inspection doesn’t just provide immediate benefits—it also helps you plan for the future. By identifying potential issues early, you can establish a cycle for maintenance and upkeep, ensuring that your home remains in good condition for years to come.

1. Renegotiations and Adjustments: In many cases, a home inspection can lead to renegotiations with the seller. If significant issues are found, these will be documented in the home inspection report. The seller may then agree to lower the price or cover the costs of repairs. This not only saves you money but also gives you peace of mind knowing that major issues are addressed before you move in.

2. Future Planning: One of the long-term benefits of a home inspection is that it helps homeowners plan for future maintenance. Knowing the findings of the home inspection whether it be the condition of the roof, plumbing, HVAC, or other critical systems allows you to budget for maintaining or replacing them over time. This proactive approach can prevent small issues from becoming major problems.

3. Home Insurance Savings: By providing accurate details on the age and condition of your home’s systems (like the roof, furnace, or electrical system), a home inspection can lead to savings on home insurance premiums. Insurance companies assess risk based on the likelihood of claims, and identifying recently upgraded or well-maintained systems can lower your risk profile, potentially qualifying you for lower premiums.

A Calgary home inspector is testing the kitchen sink for safe water temperatures and possible signs of leaks.
A close-up of the kitchen cabinet shows the home inspector revealing water from a kitchen sink leak with his flashlight.
By not skipping a home inspection; it was revealed that the kitchen sink was the source of a significant leak.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Take Unnecessary Risks by Waiving Inspections

Buying into Calgary Real Estate is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. With that comes a significant amount of risk, especially if you’re unaware of the potential issues hiding beneath the surface. Omitting a home inspection contingency might seem like a way to save money, but it’s a gamble that can have serious financial and safety implications.

 

Is it risky to skip a home inspection?

  • Yes, forgoing a home inspection leaves you vulnerable to unseen risks. Whether it’s a plumbing leak, roof damage, or electrical issues, these hidden problems can lead to unexpected and expensive repairs. A professional home inspection reduces these risks by giving you a clear understanding of the property’s condition before you finalize the purchase.

How can a home inspection contingency save money and protect you?

  • Only with a contingency in place can you actually use the inspection contingency to back out of a home purchase if major issues are found. Doing so avoids costly repairs. It protects you from buying a home with expensive, unforeseen problems. This gives you the flexibility to walk away from a bad deal without financial loss.

Don’t Waive a Home Inspection, Book a Home Inspector Today

Don’t keep your home purchase in the dark. Work with your real estate agent to include a home inspection condition when making an offer on a home. Follow that up by booking your inspection online or by contacting us to ensure you’re making a sound investment. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just want peace of mind, having a quality home inspection done is the best way to protect your home.

For any inquiries or to schedule an inspection, feel free to email us at chris@calgaryhomeinspector.ca, text 825-863-2372, or book a time slot online.

We’re proud to extend our services beyond Calgary. We offer home inspection services in Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane, Okotoks and more!