Assurance Inspections. On the job in local residences, he’s come across everything from amusing behind-the- scenes repairs (such as a dryer vent secured using tape branded with a hockey team logo) to urgent issues that should clearly be reflected in a home’s price. “During an inspection, I try to find things that weren’t constructed correctly, or that are failing--for example, weather damage or rot,” MacKinnon explains. “I try to give potential buyers an idea of what they’re getting into.” MacKinnon was a licensed carpenter and construction professional before becoming a certified home inspector and continues to accept occasional
carpentry and construction contracts through Assurance Inspections. “I’ve done construction since the late nineties, and I’ve worked on several new builds,” he says. “I think I’ve worked in almost every area of homebuilding. I had a great foundation.” That “great foundation” has provided MacKinnon with insight on the strengths and weaknesses of PEI homes, specifically. “Different regions have different building styles,” he says. “Houses in Alberta, for example, tend to be constructed differently than here. I enjoy educating clients about what’s typical, and what’s not.”
Island contains a variety of residences; a Charlottetown luxury condo varies wildly from a cottage or oceanfront bungalow. And buyers investing in a heritage property will probably already be planning an in-depth inspection. “I look for specific things in particular types of houses, based on their style, age or location,” MacKinnon confirms. By helping to build homes “from the ground up,” as he puts it, MacKinnon also gained a broad understanding of homebuilding outside carpentry. “When a different trade showed up onsite, I always wanted to know what they were doing, and how they were doing it,” he reminisces. That curiosity has served him well as a home inspector, providing him with a baseline ability to flag problems and hazards with plumbing and wiring. At the same time, his extensive professional network allows him to seek reassurance for clients. “If I come across something I haven’t seen before during an inspection, I call a tradesperson I’ve worked with and try and get an answer.” In past years, MacKinnon notes, Assurance Inspections’ packed autumn schedule has required clients to book further ahead; however, you may be able to arrange a same-week inspection if you’re buying or selling a home this summer.
Of course, while certain types of homes may be especially common on PEI, the
Assurance Home Inspections Bernard MacKinnon 902.940.5138 info@assuranceinspections.ca www.assuranceinspections.ca
SUMMER 2021 www.pei-living.ca
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