They are contracted by homeowners who want to improve their homes or by renovators on behalf of their clients, people building new homes, and home buyers and sellers. Home inspectors are generally called to assess homes after buyers have made an offer to purchase a property or before closing the deal. Most people hire a home inspector to check the exterior, foundation, basement and aboveground structure for defects and the plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for mechanical problems. Energy technicians and inspectors both identify problems by conducting a visual inspection. Professionals in each field have strong backgrounds in all areas of residential construction and provide unbiased opinions based on their expertise.
Home inspectors produce written reports or checklists of their findings to homeowners.
Energy technicians use energy analysis software to model a home's energy systems, evaluate its energy performance and calculate an EnerGuide for Houses rating. They also supply a formal written report for homeowners with detailed energy efficiency recommendations. EnerGuide for Houses energy technicians are professionally affiliated with the EnerGuide for Houses Program , and Canadian home inspectors are affiliated with the Canadian Association of Home Inspectors . An EnerGuide for Houses energy evaluation is provided as a stand-alone service, but some home inspectors may offer energy evaluations.