Home Inspection Checklist for Ontario Buyers: What Should You Look For?

by Ana Bastas

Home Inspection Checklist for Ontario Buyers: What Should You Look For Before Buying a House?

A Beautiful Home Can Still Have Problems You Can't See

You walk into a home and love it.

The kitchen is renovated.

The floors are beautiful.

The backyard is perfect.

You're already imagining where your furniture will go.

But while you're looking at finishes, there are other questions we need to consider:

How old is the roof?

Has there ever been water in the basement?

What type of electrical system does the property have?

How old are the furnace and air conditioner?

Are there visible signs of moisture?

Are there structural concerns?

Have renovations been completed properly?

A home inspection can be an important part of a buyer's due diligence—but buyers also need to understand what an inspection can and cannot tell them.

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What Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is generally a visual assessment of accessible components and systems of a property performed by a home inspector.

The inspector may examine areas such as:

Roof and exterior
Foundation
Structure
Electrical
Plumbing
Heating and cooling
Attic
Insulation
Windows and doors
Interior
Basement or crawlspace
Visible drainage and moisture concerns

The exact scope depends on the inspector, property and inspection agreement.

A home inspection is not a guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong with the house.

It's a due-diligence tool designed to help you better understand the property you're considering purchasing.

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1. Roof

The roof can represent a significant future expense, so we want to understand its apparent condition.

An inspector may look for things such as:

Missing or damaged shingles
Visible deterioration
Flashing concerns
Signs of previous repairs
Drainage issues
Gutters and downspouts
Evidence of moisture penetration

Ask about the approximate age of the roof where that information is available.

But remember:

An inspector generally isn't removing materials or opening the roof to see what is underneath.

2. Foundation and Structure

Structural issues can be intimidating for buyers, but not every crack automatically means there is a major structural problem.

The important issue is understanding what you're looking at and whether further investigation is recommended.

An inspector may observe:

Foundation cracks
Settlement
Uneven floors
Movement
Visible structural modifications
Water penetration
Signs that warrant specialist review

If something falls outside the inspector's expertise, the appropriate next step may be an engineer or another qualified professional.

3. Basement and Moisture

Basements deserve careful attention.

Look for signs such as:

Water staining
Efflorescence
Musty odours
Visible mould-like growth
Damaged drywall
Freshly repaired areas
Cracks
Sump pump systems
Drainage concerns

A finished basement can make inspection more difficult because walls and ceilings may conceal portions of the structure, plumbing and electrical systems.

This is important:

A home inspector can only inspect what is reasonably accessible and visible.

No inspection can eliminate every unknown.

4. Electrical System

Electrical systems can vary considerably depending on the age of the home and previous renovations.

An inspector may evaluate accessible components such as:

Electrical panel
Wiring
Outlets
Grounding
GFCI protection
Visible electrical deficiencies
Potential safety concerns

Certain electrical systems or modifications may warrant further assessment by a licensed electrician.

Electrical characteristics can also sometimes affect insurance, which is another reason buyers shouldn't wait until the last minute to arrange coverage.

5. Plumbing

Plumbing issues can range from a dripping faucet to much more significant concerns.

An inspector may look at:

Visible supply piping
Visible drainage
Water pressure
Fixtures
Toilets
Faucets
Leaks
Water heater
Signs of previous water damage

Depending on the age and type of property, further investigation may sometimes be appropriate.

6. Furnace, Air Conditioning and Mechanical Systems

Ask about the approximate age and apparent condition of major mechanical equipment.

This may include:

Furnace
Air conditioner
Hot water system
Heat pump
Boiler
Humidifier
Other mechanical systems

A system can be functioning on inspection day and still be older.

That's why buyers should distinguish between:

“It works today”

and

“It has many years of expected life remaining.”

They are not necessarily the same thing.

7. Attic and Insulation

The attic can reveal information that isn't obvious from the beautifully staged rooms downstairs.

An inspector may look for:

Insulation
Ventilation
Moisture
Visible staining
Roof structure
Signs of leakage
Other visible concerns

Accessibility can vary considerably from property to property.

8. Windows and Doors

Windows can be expensive to replace throughout an entire home.

Look at:

General condition
Operation
Damaged seals
Visible moisture
Drafts
Frames
Exterior condition
Door operation

Older windows aren't necessarily defective.

But their age and condition may be something you should factor into your future maintenance budget.

9. Exterior Drainage and Grading

Water should generally be directed away from the house, not toward it.

Inspectors may comment on visible grading and drainage conditions.

Look at:

Downspout direction
Grading around the foundation
Window wells
Exterior drains
Patios or walkways sloping toward the home
Visible pooling areas

Water management is particularly important because seemingly small exterior issues can contribute to larger moisture problems.

10. Renovations and Alterations

A newly renovated home can still require due diligence.

New doesn't automatically mean properly completed.

Pay attention to:

Removed walls
Finished basements
Added bathrooms
Electrical changes
Plumbing changes
Additions
Decks
Structural modifications
Secondary suites

Depending on the work, permits or other documentation may be relevant.

Your Realtor can ask the seller/listing brokerage for available information, but legal and building-compliance questions may require further investigation with the appropriate professionals or municipality.

11. Signs of Water Damage

Water is one of the things I want buyers paying attention to during every showing, not just during the inspection.

Look at:

Ceilings.

Baseboards.

Basement corners.

Around windows.

Under sinks.

Around showers and tubs.

Sometimes there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for staining.

But the question should still be asked.

12. Potential Environmental Concerns

Depending on the age, location and characteristics of the property, buyers may encounter questions regarding matters such as:

Asbestos-containing materials
Mould
Radon
Lead
Underground fuel tanks
Other environmental concerns

A standard home inspection may not definitively identify or test for these issues.

If a concern arises, specialized testing or assessment by an appropriately qualified professional may be required.

For example, a home inspector seeing a material they believe could contain asbestos is very different from laboratory testing confirming whether asbestos is present.

What a Home Inspection DOESN'T Do

This is one of the most important sections for buyers.

A home inspection should not be treated as a guarantee, warranty or certification that the property has no defects.

There may be:

Concealed conditions
Inaccessible areas
Latent defects
Seasonal issues
Problems hidden behind walls
Systems that fail after closing
Conditions outside the inspector's scope

Buying a resale home means accepting that homes require maintenance and unexpected repairs can occur.

The purpose of due diligence is to reduce uncertainty—not pretend we can eliminate it entirely.

Should You Attend the Home Inspection?

Whenever practical, I generally encourage buyers to attend.

You aren't simply paying for a written report.

You're getting an opportunity to walk through the property with someone who is specifically examining its systems and condition.

Ask questions.

Take notes.

Understand:

What needs attention immediately?

What is routine maintenance?

What should be monitored?

What may become a future expense?

That information can be valuable long after closing.

What Happens if the Inspector Finds Something?

First:

Don't panic.

Almost every resale home has something in an inspection report.

The question isn't:

“Did the inspector find anything?”

The better questions are:

“What did they find?”

“How serious is it?”

“What does it cost to address?”

“Do we need another professional to investigate?”

“Does this change our decision about the property?”

A loose railing and a major foundation concern should not be treated the same way.

Can You Ask the Seller to Fix Something After an Inspection?

Potentially, depending on the terms of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and the circumstances.

However, a home inspection should not be viewed as an opportunity to produce a long list of minor maintenance items and automatically expect the seller to repair everything.

Our job is to help you distinguish between:

Routine homeownership → maintenance → material concern → potential deal issue.

If something significant is discovered, we'll review the options available under your agreement.

Should You Include a Home Inspection Condition?

That depends on the transaction.

In some situations, buyers include an inspection condition in their offer.

In others, a buyer may arrange a pre-offer inspection where possible.

Market conditions, competition, the property and the buyer's risk tolerance can all affect strategy.

The important point is:

Removing an inspection condition isn't simply an offer tactic. It's a risk decision.

You need to understand what you're giving up before deciding to do it.

Don't Confuse a Competitive Offer With a Reckless Offer

Buyers sometimes believe that winning a house means removing every condition.

That's not automatically true.

Our objective isn't simply to have your offer accepted.

Our objective is to help you successfully purchase the right property while understanding the risks you're accepting.

Sometimes that means conditions.

Sometimes it means completing due diligence before offering.

Sometimes the circumstances support another strategy.

Every transaction needs to be evaluated individually.

Home Inspection Checklist for Ontario Buyers

Before completing your purchase, consider whether you've appropriately investigated the following areas:

Roof
Foundation
Structure
Basement
Moisture/water penetration
Electrical
Plumbing
Furnace
Air conditioning
Hot water equipment
Attic
Insulation
Windows
Doors
Exterior
Drainage/grading
Renovations
Permits where relevant
Environmental concerns where relevant
Property-specific systems

Important:

This checklist is not a substitute for a professional home inspection and isn't intended to represent the complete scope of an inspector's work.

Use it as an educational starting point.

Buying a Home in Ontario?

Don't evaluate a property based solely on how it looks.

The Ana Bastas Real Estate Team helps buyers throughout Georgetown, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Niagara, the GTA and Ottawa evaluate properties, understand due diligence and coordinate with the appropriate professionals before making major decisions.

Love the House. Understand the House. Then Decide.

BOOK A BUYER STRATEGY CALL →

FAQ SECTION

Should I get a home inspection when buying a house in Ontario?

A home inspection can provide valuable information about the visible and accessible condition of a property. Whether to include an inspection condition or use another due-diligence strategy depends on the particular transaction.

How long does a home inspection take?

Inspection time varies depending on the size, age, condition and complexity of the property and the inspector's scope of work. Ask your chosen inspector what to expect for the particular property.

Does a home inspection check for asbestos?

A standard visual home inspection does not necessarily confirm whether a material contains asbestos. If suspected materials are a concern, specialized assessment and laboratory testing may be necessary.

Does a home inspector check for mould?

An inspector may identify visible conditions or moisture concerns, but specialized mould assessment or testing may fall outside a standard inspection. Confirm the scope directly with the inspector.

What if the home inspection finds problems?

The appropriate response depends on the nature of the issue and the terms of your purchase agreement. It may involve obtaining further information, specialist assessment or considering contractual options available to you.