Buying a home can be an exciting experience; however, once closed, if unforeseen issues arise, that excitement can quickly turn into buyer’s remorse. Many buyers attempt to save money by skipping the professional home inspection process and instead attempting to inspect the home themselves. Still, they learn sometimes far too late why problems that weren’t immediately visible are now in their line of sight down the line.
At Building Insights, we’ve helped many clients on the brink of losing their hard-earned money simply because they thought it was better to rely on personal non-expert assessment. For example, I had a client in Guelph who was about to buy what he deemed a flawless property. After thermal imaging attached to my services, he discovered that we found concealed water damage within his walls, which could have resulted in an extensive repair fee exceeding $8,000+. This is one of many reasons we believe a home inspection is critical.
So how does a DIY check compare to a formal assessment from a trained eye? Let’s find out.
What You Miss When You DIY
While walking through your prospective property, you assess the obvious—it has cracked walls, leaking pipes or flickering lights. These are decent assessments but barely scratch the surface.
A trained home inspector doesn’t just assess what’s on the surface; they assess what’s behind walls, beneath floors and within systems that people would never think to check. For example:
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Electrical issues: You’ll check several outlets to see if they work, but will you know if too little or too much wiring was done? Bad electrical can cause fires down the line and re-wiring an entire house can cost thousands.
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Unsafe conditions: Some things are so annoying they’ll cost you extra but also endanger your life. For example, during a DIY assessment, you may miss:
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Faulty wiring which could cause a fire.
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Structural issues: A simple crack in your basement floor seems like a crack, but it is probably foundation shifting which will cost you more than $10,000 to fix in the long run.
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Water issues: A leak behind the wall is something no one can see because it’s not visible unless you’re actively checking the drywall. But with that, mold and rot can happen before anyone realizes it’s there.
Even if you’re the best handyman on the street, with so much going on in the interior and exterior of a house, what you don’t know could certainly end up hurting you financially.
What a Professional Inspector Finds (That You Won’t)
1. Unsatisfactory Conditions That Are Too Costly To Let Slip By
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Carbon monoxide hazards from unvented appliances
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Decks or railings that can be loose and fall
These aren’t repairs you’ll have to do—they’re risks.
2. The True State of Important Systems
It’s one thing to turn on a furnace to see if it works; it’s another to know if it’s on it’s last leg. HVAC systems are expensive to install (5,000–5,000–12,000) and unless you’ve got an eye for these things, you’d never know you’re about to buy a house that needs one sooner than later.
The same goes for plumbing. You can check the water pressure, but an inspector will see if there are galvanized pipes (which degrade over time) or potential sewer line backup hotspots—problems that cause flooding or backups.
3. Defects That Even The Seller Doesn’t Know Are There
No, sellers conceal all defects—some defects come to light as a surprise to sellers, too. For example, we’ve completed inspection services where roof leaks, mold behind walls or termite issues have been surprises to the current owners of the property. A professional inspection service is the best way to ensure no shocks happen down the line for both parties.
When Is An At-Home Inspection Good?
An at-home inspection isn’t for naught—it just shouldn’t be the only avenue taken. It’s good for:
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Deductions of houses when searching (if you see something catastrophic right away you can eliminate that house)
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Regular maintenance checks (seasonally checking gutters or assessing roofing during the winter months)
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Easier access for future repairs (attic, electrical panel, crawl space).
But when it comes to buying a home with safety and reliability in mind, then nothing compares to the services of a professional home inspector.
The Importance of Professional Home Inspections For Guelph Buyers The Guelph market is very competitive and buyers often feel inclined to omit an inspection to make their offer more appealing. But this is a big mistake. The other day I was called out to a home where buyers thought they could do their own inspection. Yet they failed to notice the roof decking failing, which would have cost them upwards of $15,000. Because I caught it before they purchased, I provided them with my report to give to the seller to negotiate necessary repairs. Had they done their own inspection, they would have had to pay the full amount themselves.
The Value
A professional inspection costs a fraction of hidden repairs. For 400-400-600, you get:
✅ A professional assessment of the true condition of your new home
✅ A detailed report and priority for repairs post-inspection
✅ Peace of mind that you’re making the right investment*\
Don’t Gamble—Get a Professional Evaluation
If you’re buying a Guelph home, don’t gamble. Let our licensed and insured inspectors uncover what’s hiding behind your walls, under your floors, and within your systems.
📞 Call Building Insights now at (519) 766-7286 to schedule your inspection—typically within 24-48 hours!
🔗 Learn more about our residential home inspections or reach out with any questions.
What’s in a Name? Building Insights We provide objective and thorough house inspections in Guelph and the surrounding areas with fast turnaround times and a Satisfaction Guarantee. We aim to protect your investment so you can proceed with confidence!
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