Canadian Home Inspections - Info on New Home Inspections

Before you buy a new home, you'll need to get a Canadian home inspection to protect yourself from costly problems or repairs in the future. It's not mandatory to have a new home inspection in Canada before you buy real estate, but why wouldn't you want to make sure that you don't end up with a leaky roof or a pest infestation down the road? It's always a good idea to schedule a Canadian home inspection before you buy.

How Can I Find a Reputable Inspector to Perform a Canadian Home Inspection?

Each province has a provincial Canadian home inspection association, with standards that have to be met by all members. Remember, while a home inspection can reveal potential issues with the house you are looking to buy, home sellers are also legally obligated to reveal any defects in the home. A home seller in Canada must fill out a disclosure form honestly, providing information about the structure of the home, heating and air conditioning systems, appliances and electrical systems.

What Will Be Checked During a Canadian Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a comprehensive assessment of all of the house systems, from the foundation to the floors. Beyond performing the the home inspection, your Canadian home inspector can help you understand how everything works, how long he or she expects parts to last and what type of repairs you might have to do in a few years.

Usually, a Canadian home inspection will not include any wood-burning appliances, such as a wood stove or fireplace. A home inspector must be WETT (Wood Energy Technology Training) certified before performing any new home inspections on wood-burning appliances.

During a new home inspection, the inspector will also check components like gutters, chimneys and downspouts. However, a home inspector only does a visual home inspection. If your inspection is done in the winter, a home inspector will not climb onto an icy roof to complete the new home inspection report.

If the home inspector does find defects during the inspection, he or she will write them down in a report, and give you an estimate of how much repairs or a replacement will cost. The inspector will provide you with a written home inspection report within 24 hours. The defect list is also given to the home seller after the Canadian home inspection, and can be used during price negotiations. The home seller may then lower the price of the home, or cover some of the repair costs revealed during the home inspection.

How Much Does a Canadian Home Inspection Cost?

A new home inspection usually costs around $300 and up, depending on the size of the home. A home between 1,800 and 2,200 square feet will usually cost about $500 and it will take about three hours to complete. If you have a small condo or a large property, the cost of a Canadian home inspection may be higher or lower.