Almost every home inspection finds something. A resale semi in Scarborough, a 1990s detached in Pickering, and a brand-new townhouse in Ajax will all produce a report with findings. The real question is what to do next. If your home inspection finds problems, this guide explains how to sort the findings, what your options are under a conditional offer in Ontario, and how to make a calm decision before your condition date. Golden Home Inspections is led by Certified/Registered Home Inspector Yama Nehan, who has about 15 years of experience and is counted among the top inspectors in Ontario. Want to talk through your own report? Call 647-704-7100.
Key takeaways
- Finding problems is normal. The goal is to separate safety and major cost items from routine maintenance.
- If your offer is conditional on inspection, your options are usually to proceed, renegotiate, ask for a repair or credit, or let the condition lapse and walk away.
- Get specialist opinions and quotes for major items before your condition date, not after closing.
- Any change to price or terms should be put in writing through your realtor, with your lawyer’s input.
- Home inspections are not regulated by Ontario legislation, so the quality of the report you are relying on depends on who you hired.
Is it normal for a home inspection to find problems?
Yes. A home inspection is a visual assessment of the visible and accessible parts of a home on the day of the visit, and no house is perfect. Even new construction has findings such as missing caulking, grading that slopes toward the foundation, or an exhaust fan that is not vented properly. A long report does not automatically mean a bad house. It often means a thorough inspector. What matters is what kind of problems were found. For a full picture of what is checked, see what a home inspection includes in Ontario.
How do you sort home inspection findings?
Read the full report, not just the summary, and put each finding into one of these groups.
| Category | Typical examples | How much it should affect your decision |
|---|---|---|
| Safety items | Exposed or overheating wiring, missing smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, loose stair railings, gas appliance venting concerns | High. Raise these before firming up, even if they are cheap to fix. |
| Major cost items | Roof near end of life, active basement water entry, structural cracks, aging furnace or boiler, older wiring types | High. Get a specialist quote and factor the cost into price or terms. |
| Further evaluation | Items the inspector could not fully assess, such as a sewer line, a chimney flue, or a system that was shut off | Medium to high. Book the specialist the report recommends. |
| Maintenance items | Caulking, clogged gutters, minor drips, worn weatherstripping | Low. Add to your first-year to-do list. |
What are your options if the inspection finds problems?
If your Agreement of Purchase and Sale is conditional on a satisfactory home inspection, you generally have four paths before the condition deadline. Your realtor and real estate lawyer will guide the exact paperwork.
- Proceed as is. If the findings are mostly maintenance, you may decide to firm up the deal and handle items after closing.
- Renegotiate the price. For major cost items, buyers often ask for a lower price backed by a written contractor quote.
- Ask for a repair or a credit. The seller may agree to fix a specific item before closing or give a credit on closing. Repairs should be described clearly in writing, and you may want proof the work was done by a qualified trade.
- Walk away. If the condition is not satisfied or waived by the deadline, the deal may not proceed. Confirm the exact terms with your lawyer before relying on this.
Any agreed change to price, credits, or repairs should be added to the deal in writing through your realtor. A verbal promise from the seller is not enough.
What if you bought without an inspection condition?
In competitive markets in Toronto and the GTA, some buyers firm up without a condition, or book a pre-offer inspection instead. If you have already firmed up, you usually cannot renegotiate based on inspection findings, but a post-purchase inspection still gives you a clear repair and budget plan before you move in. Sellers can also get ahead of this with a pre-listing home inspection, which helps buyers feel confident without needing a long condition.
Which specialists should you call after a home inspection?
A home inspector is a generalist who identifies concerns. When a finding is recommended for further evaluation, a licensed specialist can confirm the issue and give you a price.
| Finding | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Older wiring, panel concerns, overheating | Licensed electrical contractor |
| Basement water entry, foundation cracks | Waterproofing contractor or structural engineer, depending on severity |
| Roof wear, flashing, chimney | Roofer or chimney professional |
| Furnace, boiler, air conditioner, gas venting | Licensed HVAC or gas technician |
| Slow drains, older supply lines, sewer backups | Licensed plumber, often with a sewer camera scope |
Many insurers in Ontario also ask about wiring type, roof age, and heating equipment, so it is worth calling your insurance broker early if the report flags any of these.
Checklist: what to do in the days after your inspection
- Read the full report and photos the same day you receive it.
- Call your inspector with questions about anything unclear.
- Highlight safety items and major cost items.
- Book specialists and request written quotes before your condition date.
- Call your insurance broker about any wiring, roof, or heating findings.
- Decide with your realtor whether to proceed, renegotiate, ask for a credit, or walk away.
- Get every agreed change in writing, reviewed by your lawyer.
Why the inspector you hire matters
Because home inspections are not regulated by Ontario legislation, two reports on the same house can look very different. Golden Home Inspections maintains InterNACHI membership, follows the NACHI Standards of Practice, and carries liability and errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance. You get a clear written report with photos, and you are welcome to attend and ask questions on site. Learn more about Yama Nehan and Golden Home Inspections or read our FAQs.
Where does Golden Home Inspections work?
We are based in Toronto and inspect homes across the east, north, and west GTA. In the east, that includes Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa. In Toronto, we cover East York, North York, and Etobicoke as well as the downtown core. We also work in Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill to the north, and Mississauga, Brampton, and Oakville to the west. East GTA buyers can read our Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa home inspector guide, or see our Toronto home inspection services.
Book a home inspection you can rely on
If you have an accepted offer, or you are about to make one, book early so there is time for specialists before your condition date. Call 647-704-7100, email contact@goldenhomeinspections.ca, or book an inspection online. You can also review our home inspection services.
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