If you need a home inspector in North York, look for someone who knows how varied the area’s housing is: 1950s planned homes in Don Mills, post-war bungalows in Willowdale, Bathurst Manor and Downsview, larger custom homes in York Mills and Bayview, new infill houses replacing older bungalows, and the condo towers along Yonge Street from Sheppard to Finch. Golden Home Inspections inspects all of them. Your inspector is Certified and Registered Home Inspector Yama Nehan, with about 15 years of home inspection experience and a place among the top home inspectors in Ontario. Every inspection follows the InterNACHI (NACHI) Standards of Practice and ends with a written report with photos. To book in North York or nearby Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham, call 647-704-7100.
Key takeaways
- Most original North York houses date from the 1950s to the 1970s, so wiring, plumbing, roofs, furnaces and basement moisture get extra attention.
- New infill homes are not automatically problem-free; drainage, flashing, ventilation and finish work still need checking.
- Homes near the Don River ravines need a careful look at grading, retaining walls and signs of movement.
- Ontario does not currently regulate home inspectors through provincial legislation, so check certification, experience, standards of practice and insurance before you book.
- Book as soon as your offer is accepted, because conditional periods in Toronto are often short.
What does a home inspector check in North York?
A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive review of the home’s major systems. Golden Home Inspections checks the roof, exterior, grading and drainage, foundation and structure, basement, attic and insulation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, windows and doors, and interior finishes, plus smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. For the full scope, see our guide to what a home inspection includes in Ontario.
How do North York home types compare?
The age and style of the home change where an inspector spends the most time. This table shows what we commonly focus on in North York.
| Home type | Common areas | What a home inspector looks for |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s bungalows and storey-and-a-half homes | Willowdale, Bathurst Manor, Downsview, Wilson Heights | Original or mixed wiring, galvanized supply pipes and clay drain lines, foundation cracks, basement moisture and attic insulation |
| Planned 1950s and 1960s homes | Don Mills, Parkwoods, Bayview Village | Flat or low-slope roofs on some designs, original windows, aging furnaces and air conditioners, and electrical panel condition |
| Larger custom homes | York Mills, Bridle Path, St. Andrew-Windfields | Complex roofs and flashing, multiple heating and cooling systems, additions, pools and decks, and drainage around the lot |
| New infill homes | Willowdale, Newtonbrook, Bayview Woods | Grading and drainage next to older neighbours, roof and window flashing, attic ventilation, and workmanship on finishes |
| Condos and stacked towns | Yonge and Sheppard, Yonge and Finch, Bayview Village, Don Mills | The unit’s windows and balcony door, plumbing fixtures, electrical, heating and cooling equipment, and signs of leaks from above |
Is a new infill home in North York still worth inspecting?
Yes. Many Willowdale and Newtonbrook bungalows have been replaced with large new houses, and a new build can still have problems that are easy to miss in a showing. A home inspector looks at how the lot drains, especially where the new house sits higher or lower than its neighbours, roof and window flashing, attic ventilation and insulation, the heating and cooling setup, and the quality of finish work. If the home is still under the Tarion new home warranty, a written report helps you list issues before warranty deadlines. Ask the seller for permits and any warranty paperwork.
What should you know about homes near the Don River ravines?
Homes backing onto the East and West Don River ravines can have beautiful lots, but slopes add risk. A home inspector looks at how water drains across the lot, the condition of retaining walls and decks, foundation cracks, and doors or windows that stick, which can point to movement. Work near ravines can fall under City of Toronto ravine rules and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), so ask them before you plan an addition, pool or new deck.
How do you choose a home inspector in North York?
Because Ontario does not currently regulate home inspectors through provincial legislation, almost anyone can advertise inspections. Ask these questions before you book:
- What certification do you hold, and which standards of practice do you follow?
- How many years have you been inspecting homes?
- Do you carry liability and errors and omissions insurance?
- Can I attend the inspection and ask questions?
- What does the report look like, and when will I get it?
- Will you answer questions after the inspection?
Golden Home Inspections answers yes to each of these. Yama Nehan is a Certified and Registered Home Inspector with about 15 years of inspection experience, the inspection follows the InterNACHI Standards of Practice, and you get technical support for as long as you own the home. Read more about Yama Nehan or see our FAQs.
Checklist: before your North York home inspection
- Book right after your offer is accepted and confirm your condition deadline.
- Ask your agent to make sure the electrical panel, furnace, water heater, attic hatch and any crawlspace are 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 whether the basement has ever leaked and whether a backwater valve or sump pump was installed.
- For a new infill home, ask for permits, the builder’s name and any Tarion warranty paperwork.
- For a condo or townhouse, order the status certificate and review it with your lawyer.
- Plan to attend so you can see any issues in person.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a home inspection take in North York?
Most inspections take two to four hours. A large custom home takes longer than a condo or townhouse.
Do you inspect condos at Yonge and Sheppard?
Yes. Golden Home Inspections offers condo inspections across North York, Toronto and the GTA. See our guide to condo inspections in North York, Markham and Richmond Hill.
Do you also work in Vaughan and Richmond Hill?
Yes. North York borders Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham, and we inspect homes across all of them. See our guide to home inspectors in Vaughan, Woodbridge, Maple and Thornhill.
Can a home inspector test for radon?
A standard home inspection does not include a radon test. Health Canada recommends testing every home for radon over at least three months, and sets its guideline at 200 becquerels per cubic metre.
What do I get after the inspection?
You get a written report with photos, as a hard copy or by email, and technical support for as long as you own the home.
Buying or selling in North York? See our home inspections page, read about older home inspections in Toronto, or book an inspection. You can also call 647-704-7100 or email contact@goldenhomeinspections.ca.
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