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A home inspection takes about 1–2 hours for a condo and 2–4 hours for most houses, depending on the size, age and condition of the property. With Quality Inspections, you get the full digital report with photos within 24 hours of the inspection. That leaves time to act before a typical conditional deadline.
How long does each type of inspection take?
Inspection time depends mostly on the type and size of the property: a condo unit takes 1–2 hours, a house up to 2,000 sq ft takes 2–3 hours, and a 2,000–3,000 sq ft house takes 3–4 hours. Larger, older or multi-unit homes take 4 hours or more.
| Property type | Typical inspection time | Report delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Condo apartment | 1–2 hours | Within 24 hours |
| New home warranty inspection | 1–3 hours | Within 24 hours |
| House up to 2,000 sq ft | 2–3 hours | Within 24 hours |
| House 2,000–3,000 sq ft | 3–4 hours | Within 24 hours |
| Larger, older or multi-unit home | 4+ hours | Within 24 hours |
| Mold and moisture assessment | 1–2 hours | Within 24 hours |
A condo is quicker because a condo inspection covers the unit, not the building's roof, structure or shared mechanical systems. A pre-purchase inspection of a detached or semi-detached house covers everything from the roof to the foundation, so it takes longer.
What happens on inspection day, step by step?
On inspection day, the inspector works through the home in a logical order: outside first, then the interior, the mechanical systems, the basement and the attic, and finally a walkthrough of the main findings with you. A home inspection is visual and non-invasive. The inspector looks at what's accessible, runs normal controls such as taps, fixtures and the thermostat, and doesn't open walls or move the seller's belongings.
The order varies with the house and the weather, but a typical sequence looks like this:
| Stage | What the inspector does | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Arrival | Confirms the scope and notes the weather, which affects what can be seen | Mention anything you flagged at showings |
| 2. Exterior and grounds | Grading, drainage, downspouts, walls, windows, doors, decks, driveway | Walk along and ask about drainage |
| 3. Roof | Roof covering, flashings, chimneys and gutters, from safe and accessible vantage points | Ask roughly how much life the roof has left |
| 4. Garage | Slab, door, and separation between an attached garage and the house | Note storage or access problems |
| 5. Interior rooms | Floors, walls, ceilings, windows, doors, stairs, a sample of outlets and switches | Note stains and cracks you want explained |
| 6. Kitchen and bathrooms | Plumbing fixtures, drains, visible leaks, ventilation, moisture readings | Ask where fans vent |
| 7. Electrical panel | Panel, breakers and visible wiring | Ask whether anything may matter to your insurer |
| 8. Heating, cooling and water heater | Furnace, AC, ductwork, water heater, visible venting | Photograph the rating labels |
| 9. Basement and foundation | Foundation walls, signs of water entry, sump pit if present, visible structure | Ask about past water |
| 10. Attic | Insulation, ventilation, roof framing, signs of leaks | Look at photos if the hatch is tight |
| 11. Wrap-up | Walks you through the main findings and answers questions | Ask which items to deal with first |
Harjot Grewal uses a moisture meter and a thermal imaging camera during inspections. Thermal imaging points to where to look more closely; it doesn't see through walls. For a full list of what's covered, see what a home inspector checks in Ontario.
What makes an inspection take longer?
Size, age, a second unit, poor access, utilities that are turned off and winter conditions are the main things that stretch an inspection past the typical range.
- Size. More rooms, bathrooms and roof area take more time.
- Age. Older homes have more to document: older wiring, past renovations, patched foundations.
- Basement apartments. A second unit is like inspecting part of a second home. See what to check in a basement apartment in Ontario.
- Access. Locked rooms, a full storage room or a blocked electrical panel slow things down. Ask the seller to clear access to the panel, attic hatch, furnace and water heater.
- Utilities off. If the power, gas or water is off, the systems that depend on them can't be run and tested. The inspector notes them as not inspected.
- Vacant and winterized homes. Vacant homes, including estate and power-of-sale properties, are sometimes winterized: the water is shut off and the lines drained. Plumbing can't be properly checked until someone on the seller's side restores the water.
- Snow and ice. Snow on the roof hides the shingles, and frozen ground or snowbanks hide grading and the base of the walls. Those areas get noted as limited.
- Your questions. Attending is worth it, and good questions add a little time.
If something can't be inspected on the day, the report says so. Ask your realtor whether you can arrange a return visit before your condition deadline.
How should buyers and sellers prepare for inspection day?
Buyers should book early, confirm access and bring their questions; sellers should clear access to the mechanical systems and make sure every utility is on. Small steps on both sides keep the inspection on schedule and reduce "not inspected" items in the report.
| Task | Buyer | Seller (through the listing agent) |
|---|---|---|
| Book and confirm the time | Book as soon as the offer is accepted; confirm with both agents | Confirm the time and how the home will be accessed |
| Utilities | Ask the listing agent to confirm power, gas and water are on | Keep all utilities on and pilot lights lit |
| Access | Ask for the attic hatch, panel and crawl spaces to be cleared | Clear the furnace, water heater, panel, attic hatch and storage rooms |
| Keys and locks | Ask about locked rooms, garages, sheds and the basement unit | Leave keys for locked areas, garage remotes and outbuildings |
| Documents | Ask for system ages, permits and receipts | Have receipts, warranties and permit records ready |
| Pets | Tell the inspector if pets will be home | Remove or secure pets |
| Questions | Bring the first-time buyer checklist | Note any known repairs or past issues for your agent |
When do you get the report, and what's in it?
Quality Inspections delivers the report digitally within 24 hours of the inspection. It includes:
- Photos of each finding
- Findings ranked by priority, from safety issues to routine maintenance
- Plain-language explanations and what to do next
How to read the priorities:
- Safety issues first. Anything that could cause injury, fire, shock or carbon monoxide exposure.
- Major repairs next. Items that could cost thousands or cause more damage if left, such as active leaks, a roof near the end of its life or signs of water in the basement.
- Specialist referrals. Items where the inspector recommends a licensed trade or specialist to evaluate further.
- Maintenance. Routine items for your first-year to-do list.
In a deal with a short conditional period, every day counts. Get contractor quotes on items in the first two groups before you decide anything.
What follow-up questions should you ask after reading the report?
After reading the report, ask follow-up questions that help you decide before your deadline: which findings matter most, who should look at them next, and what can wait. Write them down as you read, then call the inspector or raise them with your realtor.
- Which findings would you deal with before moving in, and which can wait a year?
- Is this item a safety issue or a maintenance item?
- Which trade should quote this: a roofer, electrician, plumber or drain contractor?
- Was anything noted as not inspected, and can it be checked on a return visit?
- Do any findings suggest a specialist test, such as a sewer scope or a WETT inspection?
- Is anything here likely to matter to my home insurer?
Keep the report after closing. It records the home's condition on the day you bought it and works as a first-year maintenance plan.
How does inspection timing fit your conditional period?
Your inspection condition is commonly a few business days, set in your offer, so a same-day booking and a 24-hour report leave you time to get quotes and decide. Ask your realtor and real estate lawyer to confirm your exact deadline. A typical timeline:
- Offer accepted. Book the inspection the same day.
- Inspection day. 1–4 hours, depending on the property.
- Report within 24 hours.
- Next 1–2 days. Get contractor quotes on major items, then talk to your realtor about next steps.
- Deadline. Waive the condition, renegotiate, or walk away.
If you're making a firm offer instead, book a pre-offer inspection before offer night, and read what you give up when you waive the inspection condition.
Which follow-up tests add time after the inspection?
Specialist tests add time after the inspection, and some take far longer than your conditional period. Quality Inspections doesn't do these tests, so plan for a separate specialist.
- Sewer camera scope. A drain specialist runs a camera through the main sewer line. It's worth considering in older homes; schedule it during your conditional period if you want it.
- Radon. Health Canada recommends radon tests run for 3 to 12 months, with at least 91 days during the heating season, and recommends corrective action if the average annual level exceeds 200 Bq/m³. A test that long can't fit inside a conditional period, so you'll usually test after moving in. Use a C-NRPP certified radon professional, and read radon testing in GTA homes.
- WETT inspection. If the home has a wood-burning fireplace or stove, a WETT-certified technician can inspect it. Check with your insurer about what they need.
- Electrical. If the inspector flags knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, a licensed electrical contractor can evaluate it. See knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring in Toronto.
How does timing work for a new build and Tarion?
For a new build, the inspection's timing is driven by Tarion's warranty forms rather than an offer condition. For homes with possession on or after May 1, 2024, Tarion replaced the old 30-Day Form with an Initial Form that submits on day 41, added a Mid-Year Form that submits on day 183, and the Year-End Form submits on day 365. Each on-time submission starts a 120-day period for the builder to repair or resolve the items, according to Tarion (as of October 2026). Homes with earlier possession dates still use the legacy 30-Day Form.
A new home warranty inspection takes 1–3 hours. Book it early in the 30-day window, or ahead of the year-end window, so the report arrives with time to fill in the form. See Tarion warranty deadlines for the full timeline.
How do GTA inspections differ by season and city?
GTA inspections take longer in winter, when snow hides roofs and grading, and in older housing stock, where there's more to document. Pre-1970s homes in Toronto's older neighbourhoods, and older areas of Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington, often have past renovations, older wiring and older water service lines. Newer homes in Brampton, Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill usually have less history to document, though a new home warranty inspection still matters for Tarion.
We inspect across the GTA Monday to Friday 8–6, Saturday 9–5, and Sunday by appointment. See our Toronto home inspection page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a home inspection take for a 2,000 sq ft house?
Usually 2–3 hours. Older homes or homes with a basement apartment can take longer.
How long does a condo inspection take?
Usually 1–2 hours, because the inspection covers the unit, not the building's roof or structure.
Can I get the inspection report the same day?
Reports are delivered within 24 hours of the inspection, often sooner.
Do I need to be at the inspection the whole time?
It's best to attend, at least for the last part of the inspection, when the inspector walks you through the main findings.
Can a radon test be done during my conditional period?
Not a full one. Health Canada recommends a test of 3 to 12 months, with at least 91 days in the heating season, so plan to test after moving in.
What happens if the water or power is off on inspection day?
Systems that need those utilities can't be tested and are noted as not inspected. Ask your realtor about a return visit once they're on.
How soon can I book an inspection?
Call (416) 899-8116 as soon as your offer is accepted, or before offer night for a pre-offer inspection. We inspect Monday to Saturday, with Sunday by appointment.
Sources
- Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings (Homes) — Health Canada
- How to make a warranty claim and what to expect — Tarion
- Customer Service Standard update (May 2024) — Tarion
- Regular claims process — Tarion
Book an Inspection
Send the property details or call (416) 899-8116. See all services and prices, or book a pre-purchase inspection directly.