A good home inspection checklist helps Ontario buyers get more out of the inspection: you book on time, the inspector can reach every system, and you know what to do with the report before your condition deadline. This checklist is written by Golden Home Inspections for buyers in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and the rest of the GTA. Your inspector is Certified/Registered Home Inspector Yama Nehan, with about 15 years of home inspection experience and a place among the top home inspectors in Ontario. Questions? Call 647-704-7100.

Key takeaways

  • Book the home inspection as soon as your offer is accepted; conditional periods in the GTA are often only a few business days.
  • Make sure the electrical panel, furnace, water heater, attic hatch, and crawlspace can be reached on inspection day.
  • Attend the inspection, ask questions, and read the full report, not just the summary.
  • Ontario does not currently license home inspectors through provincial legislation, so check certification, experience, standards of practice, and insurance.
  • Talk to your real estate lawyer and agent before your condition deadline about repairs, price, or walking away.

What is a home inspection checklist?

It is a simple list of what to do before, during, and after a home inspection so nothing is missed. It is not a replacement for the inspection itself. A professional home inspector follows a written standard of practice; Golden Home Inspections follows the InterNACHI (NACHI) Standards of Practice. For the full scope of what gets inspected, see what a home inspection includes in Ontario.

Checklist: before the home inspection

  • Confirm the inspection condition and its deadline in your offer with your agent.
  • Book a home inspector right away, and confirm the address, home type, size, and age.
  • Ask what certification they hold, which standards they follow, how long they have been inspecting, and whether they carry liability and errors and omissions insurance.
  • Ask your agent to have utilities on, and to make the electrical panel, furnace, water heater, attic hatch, garage, and any crawlspace reachable.
  • Ask the seller for the age of the roof, furnace, air conditioner, and water heater, and whether the water heater is owned or rented.
  • Ask for permits and receipts for additions, finished basements, basement apartments, and major updates.
  • For a condo or condo townhouse, order the status certificate and send it to your lawyer.
  • For a newer home, ask whether the Tarion warranty still applies and when its deadlines fall.

Checklist: what the inspector looks at

This table shows the main areas of a standard home inspection and what you can ask about each one while you walk through with the inspector.

Area What the home inspector checks Good questions to ask
Roof and attic Shingles, flashing, gutters, visible roof deck, insulation, ventilation, signs of leaks How much life does the roof have left? Is the attic insulation adequate?
Exterior and grading Siding, brick, windows, doors, decks, driveways, and whether the ground slopes away from the house Is water being directed away from the foundation?
Foundation and basement Visible cracks, moisture, efflorescence, sump pump, and signs of past water entry Are these cracks typical, or should a specialist look?
Electrical Panel, breakers, visible wiring, outlets, GFCI protection, and signs of older wiring types Is any of the wiring older or a known concern?
Plumbing Supply and drain piping, fixtures, water pressure, water heater, and visible leaks How old is the water heater? Do I need a sewer scope?
Heating and cooling Furnace or boiler, air conditioner or heat pump, venting, and filters How old is the equipment, and when was it last serviced?
Interior Walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, windows, doors, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms Are there signs of past leaks or settlement?

Checklist: on inspection day

  • Plan to attend; most inspections take two to four hours.
  • Bring your notes, the seller’s answers, and any permits or the status certificate.
  • Walk the home with the inspector and ask them to show you anything serious in person.
  • Ask which items are safety concerns, which are repairs, and which are normal wear.
  • Note the locations of the main water shut-off, electrical panel, and furnace shut-off.
  • Take your own photos of anything you want to price out later.

Checklist: after the home inspection

  • Read the full written report with photos, not just the summary.
  • Sort findings into safety issues, major repairs, and minor maintenance.
  • Get quotes from qualified trades for major items before your deadline if you can.
  • Talk with your agent and lawyer about asking for repairs, a price change, or walking away.
  • If the home has a basement apartment, ask the city whether permits were issued; a home inspector cannot confirm whether a unit is legal.
  • Test for radon after you move in; Health Canada recommends a test of at least three months.
  • Keep the report as a maintenance plan for your first years in the home.

Does the checklist change for condos, new homes and commercial property?

Yes, a little. A condo inspection focuses on the unit itself, while the building’s common elements are covered by the condo corporation and the status certificate. A new home or pre-delivery inspection is about catching defects before Tarion warranty deadlines; see our guide to new home inspections. A commercial property inspection adds items such as rooftop equipment, larger electrical services, and tenant spaces.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a checklist instead of hiring a home inspector?

A checklist helps you prepare, but it cannot replace a trained inspector who knows what to look for in roofs, electrical, plumbing, heating, and structure. Use the checklist alongside a professional inspection.

When should I book a home inspection in Ontario?

Book as soon as your offer is accepted. If the market is competitive, a pre-offer home inspection lets you inspect before you submit an offer.

How much does a home inspection cost in the GTA?

It depends on the home’s size, type, and age. See our guide to home inspection cost in Toronto and the GTA, or call for a quote.

What if the inspection finds problems?

Most homes have some findings. Our guide on what to do when a home inspection finds problems walks through your options.

What do I get after the inspection?

Golden Home Inspections provides a written report with photos, as a hard copy or by email, and technical support for as long as you own the home.

Ready to book in Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Oshawa, or anywhere in the GTA? See our home inspections page or book an inspection. You can also call 647-704-7100 or email contact@goldenhomeinspections.ca.