Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make. A home inspection is simply a checkup for the house, done before you fully commit to buying it. A trained inspector walks through the home, top to bottom, and tells you what shape it is really in, not just how pretty it looks on showing day.
What does the inspector check?
In plain words, the inspector looks at the parts of the house that cost real money to fix:
- The roof, and whether it is leaking or near the end of its life
- The foundation and structure, the bones of the house
- The electrical system, including the panel and the wiring
- The plumbing, the pipes, the water heater, and water pressure
- The heating and cooling systems
- The insulation, windows, and doors
- Visible signs of water damage or mould
The inspection usually takes 2 to 3 hours, and you can walk along with the inspector. That walk is worth it. You will learn how your future home works, where the shutoffs are, and what to watch over the years.
What an inspection does NOT do
An inspection is a visual check. The inspector does not open walls or tear anything apart, and no inspection can promise that nothing will ever break later. Think of it like a doctor's checkup: it finds what can be seen today, so you can decide with open eyes.
How much does it cost?
For a standard house in Ontario, a home inspection usually runs about $400 to $700. A condo usually costs less, around $300 to $450, because there is less to inspect. The price depends on the size and age of the home. Extra tests, like radon testing, a sewer camera check, or a mould test, cost extra and are priced separately. Ask for the total price up front, so there are no surprises.
One thing most buyers in Ontario do NOT know
Ontario does not have a mandatory licence for home inspectors. A law to license them was passed in 2017, but it was never put into force, and Ontario's own website confirms there are still no mandatory requirements today. That means anyone can call themselves a home inspector. So choosing well matters a lot. Before you hire one, ask about:
- Their training and designation, for example Registered Home Inspector (RHI), National Certificate Holder (NCH), or Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)
- Whether they belong to a professional association
- Whether they carry insurance
- A sample report, so you can see how clearly they explain things
- References from past clients
A good inspector welcomes these questions. Walk away from anyone who does not.
What happens after the inspection?
You get a written report with photos, what was found, and what should be fixed first. If the report shows a big problem, you usually have three options, as long as your offer included an inspection condition: ask the seller to fix it, ask for a price change, or walk away and keep your deposit. The exact wording of your offer matters here, so your lawyer is the one who explains your options for your specific case.
Can you skip the inspection to win the house?
In a hot market, some buyers skip the inspection to make their offer look stronger. We understand the temptation, but here is the plain truth: if you skip it, you buy the problem too. A leaking roof or a cracked foundation does not go away because you did not look at it. In London right now, with almost 6 months of homes for sale, buyers have time and choice. Use that time to inspect.
A home inspection is a few hundred dollars that protects a purchase of hundreds of thousands. It is one of the smartest dollars you will spend in the whole process.
Questions about buying in London? Jose Ramirez and I explain everything in plain words, no jargon, no pressure. Message us and we will walk through it together.
— Paola Cano & Jose Ramirez, Thrive Realty Group Inc., Brokerage, London, Ontario.