HOME INSPECTOR

Certified, professional and thorough home inspections in the greater Annapolis Valley / County, NS. Make a confident, informed and fearless purchase by hiring a trusted inspector that is dedicated to his profession. Serving Digby, Annapolis, Kings County and beyond.

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THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY HOME INSPECTOR

Inspecting as if my mother was buying the home

Experience

Hiring the right home inspection company is critical; a reputable inspector is one of your best layers of protection. With over 18 years of building, renovating and maintaining houses in the Annapolis Valley, I know what works and what will fail over time. I take a holistic approach to inspections; looking at the home as a whole system while understanding its individual components are intimately interconnected.

Certification

As a Certified Professional Inspector I am held to a high standard and adhere to comprehensive standards of practice and code of ethics. ReHome Inspections is utterly devoted to integrity, honesty, objectivity and courtesy. My obligation rests solely with you and to impartially represent the best interests of the home itself. I work for you and with you, nobody else.

Thoroughness

My name is Phil. I speak house and am happy to translate for you. Walk and talk with me as I meticulously inspect the property from top to bottom and inside out; all house systems and hundreds of components are inspected – too many to list here (but I still tried at the bottom of this page). Protecting you from costly surprises is my driving force.

Credentials

Training from the most revered educators and an ongoing commitment to continued learning keeps me abreast with the home inspection industry, inspection tools, technology, and evolving building practices. Homes are complicated and the learning never stops for a good home inspector; I strive to gain credible knowledge and insight through whatever means are available.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Your home is as important as my own

What is a home inspection? It’s a professional evaluation of the current condition of a home’s major components. It is a mostly visual and non-invasive inspection of readily accessible areas in order to identify those components that are at (or near to) their end of life, are unsafe or show other signs of deficiency.

What it’s not. A home inspection is not intended to evaluate design considerations, cosmetic state, code violations and concealed conditions. It is not to be considered as a warranty or insurance policy, nor does it take the place of a professionally administered energy audit or environmental assessment.

Why get one? It is a prudent and inexpensive investment to avoid a costly oversight. In comparison to the price of the home it is a minuscule expenditure to assist you in understanding exactly what condition one of the biggest purchases of your life is in. A home inspection can quickly pay for itself by helping you to credibly negotiate for repairs. I routinely discover unknown/hidden issues that save my clients thousands off their original purchase offer.

Components included. The major house components observed are: roof, exterior, lot grading, structure, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, insulation, interior, and vapour barriers. I walk on roofs,  get dirty in crawlspaces and inspect everything in between (with the exception of concealed items and things that aren’t built into the structure, such as furniture and free-standing appliances).

THE REVIEWS ARE IN

Your trusted local inspector has your back

Certified Home Inspector (Annapolis Valley, NS) | ReHome Inspections
5440 Granville RoadGranville Ferry,Nova Scotia
9028400570 Overall rating: ★★★★★ 4.9 based on 259 reviews.
5 1

very knowledgeable. Honest, reliable
★★★★★
“ Phil is a great home inspector & very knowledgeable. Honest, reliable, would recommend.”
- Quinn Amero

Good honest inspection
★★★★★
“ Good honest inspections with very helpful tips to help new home owners”
- jesse shea

Efficient and to the point - Highly recommend
★★★★★
“ Really liked that Phil walked me through the house explaining all his findings. It made reading the report, which was clear and concise, less intimidating. Efficient and to the point---lots of photos as well. Highly recommend.”
- Catherine Banks

Phil was very thorough..
★★★★★
“ Phil was very thorough, he explained everything, answered all my questions. I received a detailed report and a list of actions - everything clear, well documented and easy to follow.”
- Alcor

extremely helpful in providing us with what we needed to make sound decisions
★★★★★
“ Re Home inspection service provided us with a complete inspection of a property we were looking to purchase. Phil scheduled and followed through with a full report in a timely manner. His findings were extremely helpful in providing us with what we needed to make sound decisions.”
- Private Verified User

professional and thorough
★★★★★
“ Phil was so friendly and helpful and took the time to explain everything to us as he went. We learned so much and his valuable advice will help us take care of our new home for years to come. He was professional and thorough and we highly recommend him to anyone needing a home inspection. Thanks Phil!”
- Lindsey Berryman

diligent, thorough, responsive...
★★★★★
“ We had a fantastic experience with Phil when purchasing our 100+ year old home. He was diligent, thorough, responsive, and we had a couple calls after we got his inspection report to follow up with questions which were useful in making our decisions. He's professional and approachable, his reports are turned around very quickly, and we will continue to refer to ours moving forward. We would recommend his services to anyone.”
- Thomas Armstrong

I would use Phil again!
★★★★★
“ Phil provided everything we needed to make an informed decision. He provided alot of pictures and insight in all the right areas. I would use Phil again!”
- Adamm in Halifax

10/10 experience!
★★★★★
“ Highly recommend Phil! He was very thorough and took the time to explain everything, left time for questions and made sure nothing was left unseen. Overall 10/10 experience!”
- Kayte Rose
LOAD MORE REVIEWS (only the 9 most recent shown above)

Your experience and satisfaction is my highest priority

Have you had an interaction with me? I’d love your feedback. Here are three very easy options to spread the word:

SAMPLE HOME INSPECTION REPORT

Informative, easy to read and understand; delivered to your inbox within 24 hours

The days of obsolete, hard to decipher and uninformative paper checklists are over! Choose a technology savvy certified inspector that is truly looking out for your best interests.

My reports are comprehensive, descriptive, organized and media rich. Supplementary to the report you will receive 200+ photos of the home stored in an online album; capturing almost every angle, nook and cranny.

Navigate the report quickly and intuitively via the home system tabs (roofing, exterior, structure, electrical, heating, insulation, plumbing, interior) at the top of each page. Download the sample report and have a look!

Download Sample (pdf)

THE ‘ACTION LIST’

Easily and quickly create your custom ‘repair’ list for the seller

Along with the detailed report you will be given access to a great new feature – the ‘Action List’. It’s a simple tool to help you quickly and professionally create a repair list that you can then send to the seller or the listing agent. How it works: all of my recommendations in the report are also shown in a separate concise list, simply select the items you wish to include, add your own comments, choose an action (repair, replace, etc), save it and send it. Quick, easy and professional.

Action List - ReHome Inspections

AFFORDABLE PRICING

Inspect with the best and invest with confidence

“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” ~ Red Adair

Considering the size of your investment not only is this a really good value but countless of my clients end up saving thousands off their original purchase offer. Hire me and you will learn crucial information about the home and I may just end up making YOU money!

Walk-through

300+ tax
  • Informal tour of the home
  • I walk and talk, you follow along and take notes
  • No report, photos, or special tools used
  • 1-2 hours on-site
CALL TO DISCUSS

Pre-purchase (buyers)

475+ tax
  • Detailed digital report within 24 hours
  • Online photo album (200+ photos)
  • ‘Action List’ for the seller
  • Lifelong post-inspection support
  • 2-4 hours on-site
BOOK ONLINE INSTANTLY

Other

  • Seller’s pre-listing inspection
  • Maintenance inspection
  • Thermal infrared assessment
  • New home warranty inspection
  • Post-repair inspection
  • Consultations
CALL TO DISCUSS

Credit cards accepted. Preferred method of payment is cash, cheque or e-transfer.

Certified and fully insured third-party service provider (TPSP) for Brookfields Relocation Services. Service area between Weymouth and Kentville.

There may be additional surcharges depending on the size/age/condition/location of the home. Thorough inspections of outbuildings are not included; a $50 minimum surcharge may apply. Depending on travel distance a mileage surcharge may apply. We can discuss additional costs at booking time.

  • Home built pre 1950’s = $75 surcharge
  • Home +2000 square feet = $75 surcharge
  • Home +3000 square feet = $125 surcharge
  • Outbuildings & attached garages = $50 surcharge min.

CONTACT ME TODAY

Mom & Dad would be proud you called

Call or text … any time

(902) 840-0570

Open 7 days a week ( 7am – 10pm )

BOOK INSPECTION ONLINE
CLICK TO CALL
CLICK TO TEXT

BOOK YOUR INSPECTION ONLINE

Reserve and secure your chosen time, instantly!

My online booking tool shows you in real-time what time-slots are available.
This may be a good option for you in case you cannot immediately reach me via phone
(I usually do not answer my phone during inspections).

BOOK NOW, INSTANTLY

CONTRACTOR DIRECTORY

Find the right help with over 200 listings

Need a professional? Take a look through my categorized contractor directory to find electricians, plumbers, arborists, WETT technicians, painters, glaziers, and many more.

Not all personally vetted; use with caution.
For advice on how to pick a contractor check out this article I wrote on my blog.

CONTRACTOR DIRECTORY
Over 200 listings of professionals throughout the Annapolis Valley.

INSPECTION GALLERY

The good, the bad and the … not so good

Don’t leave this ever-important and far-reaching decision to chance! I walk on roofs and leave no crawlspace unexplored.
Tall ladders, advanced mobile inspection software, thermal infrared camera, moisture meter, drone, etc,
and a fervor for thoroughness allow me to give you the crucial information you need and deserve.

LOAD MORE PHOTOS

HOMEOWNERS BLOG

Let’s talk homeownership

Head over to my blog to read articles on a wide range of homeownership topics.
Covering issues such as making decks safer, kitec plumbing, vermiculite, radon, and more.

HOMEOWNERS BLOG
ReHome Inspections Blog

RESOURCES

THE SAFE HOME BOOK (200+ PAGE PDF)
HOME MAINTENANCE BOOK (100+ PAGE PDF)
NSREC – PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SELLERS
NSREC – PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR BUYERS
NOVA SCOTIA WELL LOG DATABASE
NS WELL WATER RESULTS INTERPRETATION
VERMICULITE INSULATION
ALUMINUM WIRING
REPAIR COST ESTIMATES
KITEC PLUMBING
ASBESTOS
CIVIC SIGN SUPPLIERS
NS GOV’T GUIDE FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS
RECALLS AND SAFETY ALERTS DATABASE
UFFI – UREA FORMALDEHYDE FOAM INSULATION
INTERNACHI – STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
INTERNACHI – CODE OF ETHICS
NOVA SCOTIA INTERACTIVE RADON MAP

HOMEBUYER TIPS

Before you sign the dotted line …

Walk the neighborhood

Don’t just drive around in your car. Get out and walk it.

Even if you can’t get permission to enter the home on short notice, observe the exterior. Are the gutters and downspouts diverting water away from the home? What does the grading look like? Does the driveway slope away from the garage? How about the dirt road to the home – what does it look like in the rain?

Sellers are under no obligation to disclose problems they don’t know about – and how could they? For that reason, many sellers don’t want to know what is wrong with their house. Hire a certified home inspector to verify what the seller claims in the seller’s disclosure.

Is there a business nearby that creates emissions? Is the home under an airport route? Is there a train track nearby? How about horse stalls or commercial agriculture? Talk to the neighbours to find out. Visit the home in the middle of a business day. If possible, also park outside the home at night with your car windows rolled down to find out how busy or noisy the area is during the time when it should be most peaceful.

If you’re moving into a larger home, expect your utility bills to be higher. I can show you areas of improvement to help reduce energy consumption and lower those bills.

… agreement gives you the ability to back out of the deal if I find something horribly wrong. It should also require that your full deposit be returned to you if you decide not to buy the home because of something revealed in the inspection report.

Don’t be afraid to ask for anything when you make an offer on a home. Perhaps you want a certain closing date. Ask for that. Perhaps you want certain repairs made. Ask for them. Perhaps you want help with the closing costs. Ask for it. Perhaps you want the seller to leave the drapes or the couch. Ask for them to be left with the home. Don’t be shy. Buying a home is a business deal, and negotiating is a normal part of any business deal. And, of course, never assume that any personal property (such as appliances, curtain rods, swing sets, the dog house, etc.) will be left behind if you haven’t agreed in writing that they’re included as part of the sale.

Buying a home is probably the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection. The cost of a home inspection is very small relative to the value of the home being inspected. You’ve been recently crunching the numbers – shopping for a mortgage, adding up closing costs, and negotiating offers – and trying to get the best deals. The least expensive inspector is not the best deal. Do yourself a favour and pay a little more for the quality inspection you deserve so that you can make a confident decision with peace of mind.

Don’t make the mistake of not getting a home inspection on a newly constructed home. Houses aren’t created like new cars on an assembly line. Each home is hand-built by a variety of different tradesmen.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Should I attend the inspection?

Yes, I highly recommend it. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and learn about the home. You will also be better prepared to read the report. If you can’t make it – don’t worry – the report is very detailed and easy to read and you will also have hundreds of photos so that there are no surprises.

No, there is no pass or fail. A home inspection is intended to give you information about the current condition of the home. What you do with that information is up to you.

I accept credit cards online but the preferred payment methods are cash, cheque or e-transfer.

A typical home usually takes me 2-4 hours to inspect. If the home is very large or old it may take longer. Simply put, it takes as long as it takes until we’re all satisfied nothing has been overlooked.

Deficiencies, from minor to major, are frequently found. You should know that just because issues were discovered the onus does not automatically fall on the seller to fix it. You, the buyer, may choose to negotiate for the repairs as part of the final agreement. If the seller does not agree to manage the repairs you will have to handle it yourself or terminate the contract. However, now that you have a detailed home inspection report at your disposal you have a great bargaining tool to help with your possible negotiations. To help make it easier I provide you with the ‘Action List’ – your simple to create custom repair list that you can give to the seller or listing agent.

Absolutely! A new home does not mean that everything is working perfectly.  Many things can be built incorrectly and could cause premature failure of other components.  A new home is not built like a new car on an assembly line; many local tradesmen are involved in building a new home and the quality of workmanship can vary greatly. The sooner you spot the issues the better. A home inspection is highly recommended prior to a home purchase, new or old.

This is not recommended, unless of course you are a home inspector. Certified inspectors are specially trained to inspect all major components of a home.  Consider a home inspector like a family doctor, we are knowledgeable about the whole package but may not necessarily be specialists in any one specific field. There is a good chance a thorough home inspection done by a qualified professional would uncover a host of issues you may have missed.

SERVICE AREA

Informing homebuyers in the greater Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

Digby County

Mavilette, Meteghan, Saulnierville, Church Point, Weymouth, Plympton, Barton, Conway, Jordantown, Digby, Culloden, Smith’s Cove, Bear River …

Annapolis County

Cornwallis, Clementsport, Clementsvale, Lequille, Annapolis Royal, Port Royal, Granville, Bridgetown, Lawrencetown, Middleton, Margaretsville, Nictaux, Albany, Wilmot …

Kings County

Kingston, Greenwood, Aylesford, Berwick, Cambridge, Coldbrook, Kentville, Aldershot, Centreville, Canning, Port Williams, New Minas, Wolfville, Gaspereau, Grand Pre …

The beautiful Annapolis Valley is my main service area but I travel any distance as long as time permits (mileage charge may apply).

I also perform home inspections in Yarmouth County, Queens County, Lunenburg County, Hants County

I’M ALSO A REALTOR®, TOO

But I can only wear ‘one hat’ per client; you choose

To the best of my knowledge, I am the only Home Inspector + Realtor® combo in Nova Scotia. With that being said, I obviously have to tread carefully to avoid perceived conflicts of interest.  To accomplish this I do not perform inspections for my Realtor buyer clients, nor do I inspect any of my current listings. I always have my clients best interest at heart; whether I am representing you as a Realtor® or a Certified Home Inspector.  Which hat should I wear for you?

GO TO MY REALTOR WEBSITE
Phil Schnetzer, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Banner Real Estate

Some of the items that are inspected ...

ROOF roof-covering materials, gutters, eaves, downspouts, vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations   EXTERIOR wall-covering materials, flashing & trim, exterior doors , adjacent walkways & driveways, stairs, steps, stoops, ramps, porches, patios, decks, balconies & carports, railings, guards & handrails , eaves, soffits & fascia, windows, vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property  STRUCTURE basement, foundation, crawlspace, structure & framing, structural components   HEATING  heating system using normal operating controls, location of the thermostat, energy source, heating method   COOLING cooling system using normal operating controls, location of the thermostat, cooling method   PLUMBING main water supply shut-off valve, main fuel supply shut-off valve, water heating equipment, the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, interior water supply including all fixtures & faucets by running the water, toilets for proper operation, sinks, tubs & showers for functional drainage, drain, waste & vent system, drainage sump pumps with accessible floats, capacity of the water heating equipment   ELECTRICAL service drop, overhead service conductors & attachment point, service head, gooseneck & drip loops, service mast, service conduit & raceway, electric meter & base, service-entrance conductors, main service disconnect, panelboards & over-current protection devices, service grounding and bonding, switches, lighting fixtures & receptacles, arc-fault circuit interrupter, ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles, smoke & carbon-monoxide detectors, main service disconnect’s amperage rating, type of wiring   FIREPLACE readily accessible and visible portions of the fireplaces and chimneys, lintels above the fireplace openings, damper doors by opening and closing them, cleanout doors and frames, type of fireplace   ATTIC & VENTILATION insulation, ventilation, insulation in unfinished spaces, ventilation of unfinished spaces including attics, crawlspaces & foundation, mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms & laundry area, type of insulation, r-value   INTERIOR doors, windows, interior, floors, walls & ceilings, stairs, steps, landings, stairways & ramps, railings, guards and handrails, garage vehicle doors & the operation of garage vehicle door openers, door bell