So here’s the deal. Everyone asks me about timing since I started this whole home inspection thing this year.
Look, I’m not gonna lie to you. Timing can save you thousands. Or it can screw you over big time.
I learned this lesson the hard way when I bought my place in Kensington a few years back. Trust me on this one.
Calgary’s weather is nuts. Our housing market is even crazier. Homes are selling in 26 days right now. That’s insane, right?
You can’t just wing it with inspection timing. Your gonna need a plan.
Spring: Holy Crap, Everyone Wants an Inspection
Spring is when I loose my mind with bookings. I mean, my phone doesn’t stop ringing from April through June.
But there’s good reasons for it.
Last month I did this inspection in Hillhurst. The winter had beat the hell out of this house. The buyers thought they found a gem. Wrong.
Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the foundation. Two big cracks. Would’ve cost them eight grand to fix. Maybe more.
The Alberta Professional Home Inspectors Society talks about this all the time. Spring shows you what winter tried to hide.
Here’s the problem though. Good luck getting a decent inspector during peak season. I’m talking at least a week wait. Sometimes two weeks if you want someone who knows what there doing.
Costs go up too. I’ve seen guys charging 600 bucks in May. Just because they can.
My advice? Book early. But don’t stress if you can’t get spring timing. Sometimes the best deals happen when everyone else is fighting over the same three inspectors.
Summer: Actually My Favorite (Don’t Tell Anyone)
I love summer inspections. Weather’s cooperating. I can get on roofs without risking my neck. You can see everything clearly.
Plus, no snow covering up problems. You know?
Did this place in Eau Claire last July. Gorgeous condo. But the AC was completely shot. Previous inspector missed it because they couldn’t test it in March.
Cost the buyers thirty-two hundred to replace. At least they knew before signing papers.
The City of Calgary actually recommends summer for major stuff when possible.
Summer storms are a whole other thing. Had a client in Marda Loop call after that crazy hail storm. Thought their roof was fine.
I found fourty-seven impact points. Would’ve leaked like crazy come winter. Insurance covered everything because we documented it right.
Fall: When Smart Buyers Show Up
Here’s what I’ve noticed. Fall is when the really smart buyers come out.
Less competition. Contractors are still available. You’ve got time to fix stuff before winter hits.
I remember this investment property in Inglewood. October inspection. Guy was buying it as a rental.
We found the furnace was dying. Like, barely hanging on.
Because it was fall, he could negotiate the price down. And get it replaced before winter. Try doing that in January when everyone’s scrambling for heating repairs.
The Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors talks about seasonal planning all the time. They’re right. Fall gives you options.
Winter: Tricky But Not Impossible
I’ll be straight with you. Winter inspections suck sometimes.
But sometimes you don’t have a choice. And that’s okay. I’ve gotten better at working around Calgary weather.
Did this place in Bridgeland in February. Heating bill was through the roof. Like, crazy high.
My thermal camera showed exactly why. Insulation gaps everywhere. The buyers negotiated four thousand off the purchase price for energy upgrades.
Never would’ve caught that in summer.
Safety’s my biggest worry though. I’m not climbing on icy roofs to check gutters. Some stuff has to wait. Buyers need to understand that.
Transaction Timing: Where People Screw Up
Here’s where everyone messes up. They think they have all the time in the world.
Wrong.
Calgary’s market moves fast. Your inspection period is usually five to seven days. That’s it.
I tell every client the same thing. Call me the day your offer gets accepted. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t think about it over the weekend.
Just call.
I’ve seen deals fall apart because buyers couldn’t get an inspector scheduled. The Alberta Building Code doesn’t care about your timeline.
Neither do foundation cracks or electrical problems.
Why I Started This Business
Look, I started Singh Home Inspections for one reason. I got tired of wondering who to trust with this stuff.
When I was house hunting, I felt like I was flying blind. Every inspector had different opinions. Different prices. Different availability.
So I got certified. Bought the equipment. Thermal cameras are expensive, by the way.
Started learning from every single inspection.
I’m not gonna pretend I’ve been doing this for decades. I haven’t. But I’m local. I care about getting it right. And I’m not trying to rush through your inspection to get to the next one.
The Safety Codes Council requires ongoing training. Which honestly keeps me sharp. Every month I learn something new about Calgary’s building problems.
Don’t Let Timing Stop You
Here’s what matters most. Getting the inspection done. Period.
I’d rather do a winter inspection than no inspection. I’d rather work around spring chaos than have you buy blind.
But if you’ve got flexibility? Fall and summer are great. Spring works if you plan ahead. Winter’s totally doable with the right person.
What my clients say:
Jennifer from Airdrie: “Singh fit us in during that crazy May rush. Everyone else was booked solid. Found problems that would’ve cost us six grand later.”
Dave from Cochrane: “Did our inspection in November. Perfect timing to get repairs done before winter.”
Ready to Get Your Place Inspected?
Don’t stress about timing. Whether it’s spring madness or dead of winter, I’ll work with your schedule and Calgary’s crazy weather.
Your home’s probably the biggest thing you’ll ever buy. Don’t you want someone local checking it out? Someone who actually gives a damn?
Call Singh Home Inspections:
- Phone: (403) 861-7100
- Email: info@singhhomeinspections.ca
- Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and everywhere in between
Because honestly? Your peace of mind shouldn’t depend on what month it is.