Buying a condo in Markham, Richmond Hill or Vaughan means more than liking the kitchen photos. Before you book, ask clear questions about what the visit covers, how the report works and what stays with the corporation versus your unit. Golden Home Inspections is based in Toronto, Ontario. Your inspector is Yama Nehan, a Certified and Registered Home Inspector with about 15 years of home inspection experience and a construction engineering degree from George Brown (Building Renovations). Condo inspections start from $399; the final price depends on the property. Call 647-704-7100 or book an inspection online.
Key takeaways
- Ask what is included in the suite visit versus what belongs in the status certificate and corporation records.
- Confirm report timing (within 24 hours), photo documentation and whether you can attend.
- Clarify exclusive-use areas — balcony, locker, parking — and how they are checked when accessible.
- Choose your inspector carefully: ask about certifications, condo experience in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan, and a sample report.
- Condo inspections start from $399; the final price depends on the property. Book early enough for your condition date.
Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan have a dense mix of high-rises, mid-rises and condo townhouses — including pockets near Unionville, Thornhill and Maple. Sellers and agents can answer listing and document questions; your inspector answers how the unit and exclusive-use areas look and perform on inspection day. Use both. For city-specific service pages, see our Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan inspection pages, and our dedicated condo inspections overview.
Questions for your inspector vs questions for the seller or agent
| Ask your condo inspector | Ask the seller or agent |
|---|---|
| What systems and areas of the suite will you check? | What is included in the sale (appliances, locker, parking)? |
| Will you look at exclusive-use balcony, locker or parking when accessible? | Are there known leaks, special assessments or upcoming major work? |
| When will the written photo report arrive? | Can I review the status certificate and recent AGM / financial summaries? |
| Can I attend, and how long should I plan for? | Have renovations been done inside the unit, and were permits involved? |
| What is outside the scope of a unit inspection? | What are the condo fees and what do they cover? |
| What experience do you have with condos like this building type? | Are pets, rentals or short-term stays restricted? |
Keep those two lists separate. Mixing them leads buyers to expect the inspector to interpret reserve-fund politics, or the agent to open the electrical panel. Below are the condo inspection questions worth asking before you book in Markham, Richmond Hill or Vaughan.
10 condo inspection questions to ask before you book
1. What does a condo inspection cover in the unit?
Expect a systematic look at visible and safely accessible systems inside the suite: plumbing fixtures and shutoffs you can reach, electrical outlets and panel if accessible, windows and doors, heating and cooling that serve the unit, ceilings and walls for moisture clues, and general condition of finishes in context of performance and safety. Ask for a plain-language scope so you know what “full unit inspection” means for your appointment.
2. What is not covered — and how does that differ from the status certificate?
A unit inspection is not a legal or financial review of the condominium corporation. Reserve funds, bylaws, board minutes and planned common-element projects live in the status certificate and related documents. Ask your inspector to confirm that boundary up front, then use your lawyer and agent for the paperwork side while the inspection focuses on the suite.
3. Will you check exclusive-use areas like the balcony, locker or parking?
When those areas are exclusive-use and accessible on the day, they often matter as much as the living room. Balcony membranes, locker moisture and parking-spot water staining can show up later as owner costs. Ask whether access is expected and what happens if a locker or parking stall cannot be opened during the visit.
4. How long does the visit take, and can I attend?
Time varies with suite size, building type and access. Ask for a realistic window so you are not rushed against an offer deadline. Attending — or joining the wrap-up — helps you see moisture clues, panel access and balcony condition in person. If you cannot stay the whole time, ask whether a shorter final walkthrough is possible.
5. When do I get the report, and what will it include?
At Golden Home Inspections, clients receive the written report with photos within 24 hours. Ask any inspector you consider for timing, photo documentation and how issues are prioritized. You want enough clarity to decide on specialist follow-up (plumber, electrician, roofer for exclusive areas) while your condition window is still open.
6. What should I ask about building age and unit renovations?
Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan stock ranges from older towers to newer mid-rises and condo towns. Ask how the inspector approaches older wiring or plumbing clues versus newer finishes that may hide original systems. Renovated kitchens look sharp in listings; they do not prove the suite electrical or supply lines were updated. Pair that question with what the seller discloses about past work.
7. How do you handle high-rise versus condo townhouse layouts?
A stack in a Markham high-rise and a freehold-style condo town near Vaughan or Richmond Hill are not the same visit. Townhouses may have more exterior and roof-edge exposure on exclusive or limited-common areas; high-rises lean harder on interior systems and accessible exclusive spaces. Ask whether your inspector routinely works both types in this part of the GTA.
8. What certifications and experience should I look for?
Choose your inspector carefully. Ask about certifications, years of hands-on inspection experience and how many condos similar to yours they have inspected. Request a sample report. Name the certifying body if you want that detail on the call; experience with local building types and a clear report matter as much as the label on the business card.
9. What does the condo inspection cost, and what drives the final price?
Condo inspections start from $399. The final price depends on the property — mainly size, layout, age, access and any added services you request. Ask for a quote once you share the address, suite type and approximate square footage so there are no surprises on booking day.
10. If moisture, older insulation or other hazard questions come up, what is the next step?
A standard condo inspection notes visible clues; specialized sampling is a separate conversation. If you have concerns about mould-like growth, older insulation materials or radon curiosity after the visit, review how testing fits beside the inspection on our home hazard testing page, then decide with your agent what to pursue inside your timelines.
Checklist before you book a condo inspection
- Confirm the property is a condo suite or condo townhouse (not freehold) before you book
- Share the city and building type — Markham high-rise, Richmond Hill mid-rise, Vaughan condo town, and so on
- Ask what the unit visit includes and what stays with corporation documents
- Confirm exclusive-use access (balcony, locker, parking) for inspection day
- Ask about report timing, photos and whether you can attend
- Request certifications, condo experience and a sample report
- Get a quote; remember condo inspections start from $399 and the final price depends on the property
- Align the appointment with your offer condition date — leave time to read the report
- Have your agent or lawyer running the status certificate track in parallel
- Save booking contacts: book online or call 647-704-7100
Condo inspection questions FAQ
Do I still need a condo inspection if I already ordered the status certificate?
Yes. The status certificate addresses corporation documents and disclosures. A condo inspection focuses on your unit and exclusive-use areas you can access. Buyers in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan benefit from using both, not one instead of the other.
Should I book a condo inspection for a condo townhouse in Vaughan or Richmond Hill?
Yes. Condo townhouses still need a unit-focused inspection, and the visit may include more exterior or exclusive-use elements than a high-rise suite. Tell the inspector the property type when you book so the scope matches the layout.
How soon before my condition date should I book in Markham?
As soon as your offer is firm enough to schedule access. You want the visit completed with enough calendar time to receive the report within 24 hours, read it and arrange any specialist follow-up before the condition expires.
Who should I call to book with Golden Home Inspections?
Call 647-704-7100, email contact@goldenhomeinspections.ca or use the online booking form. We serve Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and the wider GTA.
Book a condo inspection in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan or the GTA
Golden Home Inspections is based in Toronto, Ontario, and serves Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and nearby communities. Call 647-704-7100, email contact@goldenhomeinspections.ca or book your inspection online. We’re open 9 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week.
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