PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTIONS
ACROSS GREATER VANCOUVER
Home Inspection Services
A home is one of the largest investments you’ll make. A professional home inspection provides an independent assessment of the property’s observable condition, helping you understand its major systems, identify potential concerns and make a more informed decision.
Advanced Home Inspections provides professional home inspections throughout North Vancouver, West Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver area.
From condominiums and townhomes to detached homes and unique properties, our inspections are tailored to the property and performed in accordance with the agreed inspection scope.
Our inspections combine careful visual examination with modern inspection technology, including thermal imaging, moisture detection and drone-assisted inspection where appropriate. You’ll receive a detailed digital report documenting our observations, photographs and recommendations.
Whether you’re buying, selling or simply want to better understand the condition of a property, we’re here to help.
Residential Home Inspections
As a standard we use the most advanced equipment:
Every property is different. Our residential inspections are designed to provide a systematic visual assessment of the property’s readily accessible components and systems. Select your property type below to begin the booking process. Your inspection agreement will establish the specific scope of the inspection before the inspection takes place.
Detached Homes
Townhouse & Duplex
Condo/Apartment
Commercial Property Inspections
Commercial Inspections Tailored to the Property
Advanced Home Inspection was founded by Philip Tarrant. Prior to becoming a home inspector, Phil spent more than 15 years as a realtor on Vancouver’s North Shore and was involved in over 250 real estate transactions.
This experience provided Phil with firsthand insight into the significance and complexity of the decisions buyers and sellers face during a real estate transaction. Having guided clients through hundreds of purchases and sales, he understands the value of clear information, practical advice, and a thorough understanding of a home’s condition.
Phil brings this unique perspective to every inspection, helping clients make informed decisions with confidence.
Advanced Inspection Technology
Modern Tools. Better Information.
A professional inspection begins with experience, observation and a systematic approach. Modern inspection technology can provide additional information and help identify areas that may require further investigation. Technology is used where appropriate based on the property, conditions and accessibility.
Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging can identify differences in surface temperature that may indicate an area requiring further investigation.
Depending on the circumstances, thermal imaging can help identify potential:
• Moisture-related anomalies
• Missing or inadequate insulation
• Heat loss • Electrical anomalies
• Heating or cooling distribution concerns
Thermal imaging is a diagnostic tool and does not, by itself, establish the cause of a condition.
Advanced Moisture Detection
Moisture can sometimes exist without obvious visible signs.
Moisture detection equipment may be used where appropriate to investigate suspected moisture intrusion or areas of concern.
Elevated readings are interpreted in context with visual observations and other available information. Where appropriate, the report may recommend further investigation to determine the source or extent of a condition.
Drone-Assisted Inspection
Some roof and exterior areas can be difficult or unsafe to access.
Where conditions, weather and applicable regulations permit, drone technology may be used to provide an additional perspective of difficult-to-access exterior and roof areas.
Drone imagery is supplemental to the inspection and does not replace a physical examination of accessible components.
Detailed Digital Reports
Your inspection doesn’t end when we leave the property.
You’ll receive a detailed digital inspection report designed to be easy to navigate and understand.
Reports include:
• Clear descriptions of observed conditions
• Photographs & Videos
• Areas of concern
• Recommendations
• Conditions requiring further investigation
• Maintenance considerations
• Identification of applicable limitations and inaccessible areas
The purpose of the report is not simply to provide a list of problems. It’s to help you understand the observable condition of the property and determine which issues may deserve further attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the home inspection process look like?
From the client’s perspective
Once you’ve decided to have a home inspection, the process is fairly straightforward.
1. Book your inspection
You can book online through our scheduling system or contact us directly by phone.
2. Complete the inspection agreement
Before the inspection, you’ll receive an inspection agreement to review and sign. This is also a good time to let us know if there are particular concerns about the property or specific areas you’d like us to pay attention to.
3. Attend the inspection
A typical home inspection takes several hours, depending on the size, age and condition of the property.
You are welcome to attend the entire inspection. Many clients, however, choose to come toward the end so they can walk through the property with the inspector and discuss the important findings in person.
4. Receive your inspection report
After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed digital report with photographs, observations, recommendations and information about the home’s major systems and components.
Our goal is to give you something you can refer back to after the inspection rather than simply giving you a list of problems to remember.
What does a home inspector do before and during the inspection?
There’s more preparation involved in a home inspection than simply arriving at the property with a flashlight and starting the inspection.
Once the inspection is booked and the agreement is signed, we review the information available about the property. This can include the real estate listing, photographs and other information provided by the REALTOR®. We also use available municipal mapping and property information to better understand things such as water service, sanitary and storm connections and electrical infrastructure.
When we arrive at the property, we work through the home systematically.
We typically start outside, looking at areas such as the roof, exterior cladding, drainage, grading and other site conditions. From there, we work through the interior, generally moving from the lower levels upward and examining the home’s major structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical components.
We’re also looking for things that aren’t always obvious during a normal walk-through — moisture intrusion, leaks, inadequate ventilation, safety concerns, signs of deferred maintenance and other conditions that may warrant attention.
At the end of the inspection, we’ll walk through the property with you and discuss the significant findings. This is your opportunity to ask questions and make sure you understand the things we’ve identified.
After leaving the property, we complete the report back at the office. Your digital report, including photographs, findings and recommendations, is normally delivered within 24 hours.
Should I attend my home inspection?
Absolutely, if you’d like to.
There isn’t a requirement for you to stay for the entire inspection. In fact, many clients find that arriving toward the end works well. It gives the inspector enough uninterrupted time to work through the property while still allowing you to have a conversation and walkthrough once the inspection is finished.
You’re also welcome to attend the entire inspection. If you do, just keep in mind that the inspection is a working assessment of the property. We’ll need to stay focused on inspecting and documenting the home, so there may be periods when we’re moving through the property without stopping to explain every observation as we go.
At the end, we’ll walk through the home together, discuss the more significant findings and answer your questions.
If there are specific concerns you’d like us to look at, let us know before or during the inspection. That information can be very helpful.
When will I receive my home inspection report?
Your completed inspection report will normally be delivered within 24 hours of the inspection.
In many cases, the report is completed and sent the same day.
We understand that real estate transactions often involve tight timelines, particularly when you’re working toward a subject removal date. If you have a specific deadline, let us know when booking the inspection and we’ll do our best to work with your timeline.
What are some of the common problems found in North Vancouver homes?
The North Shore has a wide range of housing, from older homes and post-war construction to newer developments. The age and construction of a home can have a significant impact on the types of issues an inspector encounters.
Some of the things we commonly look for include:
Poly-B plumbing
Wolverine copper plumbing
Kitec plumbing
Underground or abandoned oil tanks
Asbestos-containing materials and vermiculite insulation
Aluminum wiring
Knob-and-tube wiring
Perimeter drainage and drain-tile concerns
Moisture intrusion
Aging retaining walls
Deck and balcony deficiencies
Ventilation problems
Mold and excessive moisture
Evidence of rodents, insects or other pests
This doesn’t mean that finding one of these materials automatically means there’s a serious problem with the home. The age, condition, installation and circumstances all matter.
One of the jobs of a home inspector is to identify these types of conditions and explain why they may deserve further investigation or attention.
Can a home fail a home inspection?
No. A home inspection isn’t a pass-or-fail test.
Virtually every home will have some deficiencies. That’s true whether you’re looking at a 100-year-old house, a 20-year-old townhouse or a brand-new property.
What matters is what was found, how significant it is, what may be required to address it and whether you’re comfortable with the condition of the property.
Two buyers can receive the same inspection report and reach completely different conclusions about the home. That’s ultimately their decision.
Our job is to provide objective information about the property so you have a better understanding of what you’re buying.
What happens if the home inspection finds major problems?
Finding a significant issue can be frustrating, particularly when you’ve already started picturing yourself living in the home.
The good news is that many problems found during an inspection can be repaired, although the cost and complexity can vary considerably.
If a major concern is identified, the first step is understanding exactly what has been found. Depending on the issue, that may mean recommending further evaluation by a qualified specialist or obtaining an estimate for the required work.
From there, you’ll need to decide what you’re comfortable with. Your REALTOR® can help you understand the implications for your transaction and the options available to you.
The purpose of an inspection isn’t to tell you whether you should buy the house. It’s to make sure you have better information before making that decision.
What should I expect from a home?
Buying a new home
It’s easy to assume that a brand-new home shouldn’t have anything wrong with it.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
New construction can have deficiencies, incomplete work, installation issues or components that weren’t installed as intended. A professional inspection can provide another set of eyes on the property before you take possession.
With a new home, the expectation is generally that the property has been constructed in accordance with applicable requirements and is ready for occupancy. An inspection can help identify areas that may need attention before or after possession.
Buying an existing home
An existing home needs to be viewed differently.
The roof, plumbing, electrical system, hot water tank, heating equipment and other components have been used for years, and their condition will reflect that age and use.
A system can be working properly today while still being well into its expected service life.
Building practices and standards also change over time. Materials that were commonly used decades ago may have known concerns today. Examples include Poly-B plumbing, certain older wiring methods and vermiculite insulation that may contain asbestos.
It’s normal for an inspection of an older home to identify items that will eventually need maintenance, repair or replacement.
That isn’t necessarily a reason to walk away from a property. It’s information you should have when deciding whether the home is right for you and when planning for future ownership costs.
What areas does Advanced Home Inspections serve?
We’re North Shore focused, with a particular focus on North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
We also provide home inspection services throughout the Greater Vancouver area, including:
North Vancouver
West Vancouver
Vancouver
Burnaby
Coquitlam
Port Moody
Sea to Sky communities
Other areas throughout the Lower Mainland
We also inspect properties that require a little more planning or specialized logistics.
That can include Bowen Island, Mount Seymour cabins, Sunshine Coast properties and more remote or difficult-to-access locations.
If your property requires ferry travel, off-road access or additional travel time, contact us before booking. With enough notice, we’re often able to accommodate these types of inspections.
If you’re unsure whether we service your location, just ask. It’s always worth checking.
Ready to Book Your Inspection?
Get the Information You Need Before You Move Forward
Whether you’re buying, selling, building or simply want to better understand the condition of a property, Advanced Home Inspections provides an independent assessment supported by modern inspection technology and a detailed digital report.