Haystack Home Inspections

"Chris is extremely detailed oriented and pointed out issues that needed to be addressed in both my home purchases. He is diligent and provides very thorough reports when it comes to pre-purchase inspections. He is approachable and accurate in his assessments. Highly recommend his services."

"Chris was awesome to work with. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, a clear communicator, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He went above and beyond, accommodating a weekend inspection, returning to the property the next day to double-check a concern, and continuing to answer follow-up questions even after the inspection. His thoroughness and integrity gave me real confidence in my purchase. Highly recommend."

"Chris was referred to us by our realtor and we couldn't be happier that he did. Chris was professional, prompt and extremely thorough. The process was smooth and professional. We would recommend Chris to anyone who is looking for an inspector!"

"Every tradesperson we have hired for our renovation post-subject inspection has said that Chris' report is the most thorough report they have ever seen by an inspector. Not only do you get peace-of-mind for your purchase but you likely save time and headache because you can use the document to explain what you need done. A++++"

"We hired this inspector for a condo purchase and initially had a very positive impression. He was friendly, professional, and seemed thorough. He pointed out concerns within the unit, took photos, and flagged a few items to review in the building’s deficiency report. The price felt fair, and the final report was clear and well organized. However, a major issue was missed with the fireplace. During the inspection, he turned it on and I noticed a strong chemical smell, which I raised at the time. I was told it was likely dust burning off, despite the seller indicating recent use. An unrelated burning smell from the oven (an item left inside by seller) seemed to overshadow the concern, and the only recommendation noted was cleaning and possible asbestos testing, no safety issues were identified. After moving in, we arranged a professional inspection before winter. Three separate fireplace companies confirmed a gas leak and gas burn off and advised us to stop using the unit immediately. The gas was shut off, and this was identified as the source of the smell we had originally flagged. To his credit, the inspector returned after we reported the issue. He explained that he does not use a gas detection device and only performs a visual inspection. However, once the fireplace was opened, multiple visible cracks in the gas plate were found…something that, in our view, should have been identified during a more thorough inspection. We have since spent over $1,700 addressing this safety issue, which we would have factored into our purchase had it been identified earlier. While communication was professional and responsive, this experience raised concerns about the scope of fireplace recommendations and the lack of clear limitations communicated upfront as we would have asked that the sellers have a proper inspection done. Overall, a positive experience in terms of professionalism and reporting, but the missed safety issue makes it difficult to rate higher. Learning lesson for myself to do my own research and follow up if I have concerning reports that I feel need to be addressed."

"Nov 2025. I had Haystack perform a home inspection for my new condo unit. Chris, the Haystack home inspector, was very thorough in his approach and carried out a very detailed inspection job. His infectious enthusiasm for his craft also got me pumped during the inspection and I was also able to identify a few things. This helped make the most of the one hour that was allotted for the home inspection. Even after the job was complete, Chris was always available to answer questions and help out to the extent possible. I give my highest recommendation for Chris. If you employ him for your home inspection job, you can rest assured that you will be paid back multi-fold when the identified deficiencies are corrected by the seller."

"We were in a tight spot with a short inspection window, and Chris was incredibly accommodating. He was able to schedule us with very little notice, which was a huge relief. His rates were also more affordable than other quotes we received, and his on-site inspection process was notably efficient because he completes the full report afterward. However, the final report lacked the level of detail we needed. The biggest issue was the photography; the pictures were taken on a phone (as Chris forgot his Camera at home), and many were too blurry to clearly document potential issues for our repair requests. We also ran into a limitation with the roof inspection. Chris couldn't fully assess it due to a coated surface that posed a slipping hazard. While we absolutely understand prioritizing safety, we were hoping he might have access to modern equipment, like a drone, that other inspectors sometimes use to navigate these kinds of challenges. Overall, we were very grateful for Chris's promptness and flexibility. He offers a great service for anyone who needs an inspection done quickly and on a budget. However, we felt it wasn't as thorough as we had hoped, especially regarding the photo quality and the use of technology to overcome inspection obstacles."

"Amazingly efficient and knowledgeable service. I first encountered Haystack as a renter for a place being sold while I lived there. He was so kind and understanding that I had to go with him when I got my own place. Highly recommend."

"Chris is a wealth of information and experience as well as courteous and honest. By far a huge asset to anyone needing a full comprehensive inspection and detailed report."

"Can't say enough about Chris and his services. Easy to schedule and able to complete the inspection on a tight timeline with a comprehensive report available the next day. My partner was a little nervous about information overload but Chris was timely, kind, respectful and communicated clearly about the priorities that were relevant to our closing. Thanks again Chris!"