What Does a Home Inspector Check in Ontario?

An Ontario home inspector checks the visible, accessible parts of a home's major systems: the structure and foundation, roof, exterior and grading, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, insulation and ventilation, and the interior. The inspection is visual and non-invasive, so the inspector doesn't open walls or move the seller's belongings. You get a report that ranks what needs attention now, soon, and over time.

What Standards Do Ontario Home Inspectors Follow?

Most Ontario home inspectors who belong to a professional association follow the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) National Standards of Practice. CAHPI's inspector standards page lists four documents members work from: the CAHPI National Standards of Practice, the CSA A770 home inspection standard (CAN/CSA-A770-16), a Code of Ethics, and National Occupational Standards.

The Standards of Practice set the minimum scope. According to CAHPI's 2023 National Standards of Practice:

Inspections are visual and cover systems and components that are readily accessible, defined as "Available for visual inspection without requiring moving of personal property, dismantling, destructive measures."
Inspections "are not technically exhaustive" and "will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects."
A visual inspection is not an evaluation of compliance with codes, regulations or insurability standards.

Ontario has no provincial licence for home inspectors in force as of October 2026. CAHPI's licensing page says "Currently anyone in Ontario can call themselves a home inspector," so it's worth checking whether yours follows a published standard. Harjot Grewal at Quality Inspections is a Registered Home Inspector (RHI) and CAHPI member C2100887. The RHI guide explains the designation.

What Does a Home Inspection Cover, Area by Area?

A home inspection covers nine main areas, from the foundation to the roof. This is what a Quality Inspections pre-purchase inspection looks at, and the issues we see most often in GTA homes.

Area	What's checked	Common issues in GTA homes
Structure and foundation	Visible foundation walls, beams, posts, floor framing	Foundation cracks, past water entry, sagging beams
Roof	Covering, flashing, chimneys, gutters and downspouts	Worn shingles, failed flashing, short downspouts
Exterior and grading	Siding, brick, windows, doors, decks, grading	Grading that slopes toward the house, rotted deck framing
Electrical	Service, panel, visible wiring, outlets, GFCIs	Older wiring types, overloaded or double-tapped panels, missing GFCIs
Plumbing	Supply and drain lines, water heater, fixtures	Older supply pipe materials, slow drains, aging water heaters
Heating and cooling	Furnace, air conditioner, ducts, venting	Equipment near end of life, missing service records
Insulation and ventilation	Attic insulation, ventilation, bathroom exhaust	Thin attic insulation, bath fans venting into the attic
Interior	Walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, windows, doors	Water stains, cracked or failed window seals, loose railings
Basement	Walls, floor, moisture signs, sump pump	Dampness, efflorescence, unpermitted finishing

What Does the Inspector Check in Each System?

The inspector checks each system against the CAHPI Standards of Practice, which list what must be inspected and what's excluded. The summaries below draw on CAHPI's 2023 National Standards of Practice.

Structure and Foundation

The inspector looks at the visible foundation and framing, and reports how the attic and any crawl space were inspected. In a finished basement, much of the foundation is hidden behind drywall, so the inspector relies on clues: cracks at the wall–floor joint, stains on finishes, efflorescence (white mineral deposits) and moisture readings. Engineering opinions on structural adequacy are outside a home inspection.

Roof

The inspector checks roof coverings, roof drainage, flashings, skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations, and describes the type of roof covering. The report states how the roof was inspected. Antennas, satellite dishes and chimney flue interiors are excluded.

Exterior and Grading

The exterior check covers wall coverings, flashing, trim, exterior doors, decks, balconies, stairs, porches, guards and handrails, eaves, soffits and fascia, grading and surface drainage, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, fences and attached garages with their doors and openers. Detached garages, geological conditions and recreational facilities are excluded. Grading that slopes toward the house is one of the most common causes of basement water. See the basement flooding warning signs guide.

Electrical

The inspector checks the service entrance, panel interior, grounding, overcurrent protection (breakers or fuses), a representative sample of lights, switches and receptacles, GFCIs, AFCIs, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The 2023 standards say inspectors are not required to measure amperage, voltage or impedance, or to operate or test smoke and CO alarms. The earlier 2012 CAHPI standards specifically called for reporting aluminum branch wiring. If the panel or wiring raises concerns, the next step is a licensed electrical contractor. The knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring guide explains what those wiring types mean for insurance and repairs.

Plumbing

The plumbing check covers interior water supply and distribution, fixtures and faucets, drain, waste and vent piping, water heaters and their venting, fuel distribution, sump pumps and backflow preventers. The report describes the piping materials, the water heater's energy source and the location of the main water and fuel shut-offs. Wells, water treatment, private septic systems, irrigation and water quality are excluded. The drain line underground isn't visible, so a sewer camera scope by a drain specialist is a separate service. For older Toronto homes, the lead water pipes guide covers the supply line.

Heating

The inspector operates installed heating equipment using normal controls and checks the venting, flues, chimneys and fuel distribution. Heat exchangers and flue interiors are excluded, as is judging whether the system is properly sized. A furnace near the end of its service life gets flagged in the report.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves

The inspector looks at fireplace and solid-fuel appliance components, venting and chimneys. Inspectors don't light fires, assess draft or inspect flue interiors. If you have a wood stove or wood fireplace, your insurer may want a WETT inspection; WETT Inc. is the non-profit association that trains and certifies those professionals.

Air Conditioning

The inspector checks permanently installed air conditioning equipment. Portable units are excluded, and so is judging whether the system is properly sized or balanced.

Insulation and Ventilation

The inspector checks insulation and vapour retarders in unfinished spaces like the attic, and describes the types found. Inspectors don't disturb insulation. Ventilation covers the attic, mechanical ventilation, and exhaust in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Bathroom fans that vent into the attic instead of outdoors are a common source of attic moisture. The 2012 CAHPI standards also called for reporting vermiculite, a loose insulation that may need specialist testing.

Interior and Basement

The interior check covers walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, guards and handrails, a representative sample of countertops, cabinets, doors and windows, the gas-proofing between the house and an attached garage, and fire separations. Household appliances, central vacuums and decorative finishes are excluded. In basement apartments, fire separation and exits matter. See the basement apartment inspection guide.

What Tools Does a Home Inspector Use?

A home inspector uses a moisture meter, a thermal imaging camera and an outlet tester, along with the home's normal operating controls. Each tool has a specific job:

Moisture meter. Measures moisture in drywall, trim and flooring. A high reading near a window, tub or foundation wall confirms a suspected leak.
Thermal imaging camera. Shows temperature differences on surfaces, which can point to missing insulation, air leaks or wet areas. It points to where to look; it doesn't see through walls.
Outlet tester. Plugs into receptacles to check wiring polarity, grounding and GFCI function on a representative sample.

A pre-purchase inspection of a typical GTA house takes 2–4 hours. The inspector:

Walks the exterior, grading and roof (from the roof, a ladder or the ground, depending on safety and access).
Checks the attic where there's safe access.
Opens the electrical panel cover and tests a sample of outlets.
Runs water at fixtures and checks drains, the water heater and visible supply lines.
Operates the furnace and air conditioner using normal controls.
Goes room by room through the interior and basement, looking for water, structural and safety issues.

What Doesn't a Home Inspection Cover?

A home inspection doesn't cover hidden conditions, environmental testing, code compliance or repair costs. The CAHPI standards say inspectors are not required to move "personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris," to determine "compliance with regulatory requirements," to determine the "presence of any environmental hazards," or to determine "methods, materials, or costs of corrections."

In practice, a home inspection doesn't include:

Opening walls, lifting carpets or moving furniture and stored items
Testing for asbestos, radon, lead or mold species (a mold and moisture assessment is a separate service)
Sewer line camera inspections
Pools, hot tubs, irrigation and security systems
Code compliance or permit checks (your lawyer and the municipality handle permits)
Cost estimates for repairs (get contractor quotes for anything major)

If the inspector sees signs of a problem in one of these areas, the report will say so and recommend a specialist. Quality Inspections doesn't offer radon testing, sewer scopes, asbestos or lead testing, or ESA electrical inspections.

Concern	Covered by the home inspection?	Who to call
Radon gas	No	A C-NRPP certified radon professional
Main sewer line condition	No	A drain or plumbing specialist with a camera
Wood stove or wood fireplace certification	No	A WETT-certified professional
Asbestos or lead in materials	No	A qualified environmental consultant
Electrical code compliance	No	A licensed electrical contractor; ESA for permits
Visible mold and moisture	Yes, reported; species not identified	Mold and moisture assessment
Building permits for past work	No	Your lawyer and the municipality

Radon needs its own timeline. Health Canada's long-term test instructions call for a test of at least 3 months, with action within 1 year if the level is 200 Bq/m³ or higher. The radon testing guide explains how to plan for it.

How Do Weather and Seasons Limit an Inspection?

Weather can limit what an inspector can safely see or operate, and the report should say what wasn't inspected and why. The CAHPI standards say inspectors are not required to perform any procedure that "will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be hazardous" to people or property. They also require the report to list systems that were present but not inspected, with the reason.

In the GTA, that usually means:

Snow and ice on the roof. The inspector can't see shingles under snow, and inspectors aren't required to move snow or ice. A wet or icy roof is often viewed from a ladder or the ground instead.
Air conditioning in cold weather. If outdoor conditions could damage the equipment, the inspector may not run the air conditioner and will note it. CAHPI's standards don't set a specific temperature, so the call is made on site.
Snow-covered grading. Slope and drainage around the foundation are harder to judge in winter. Look at the basement for past water signs instead.
Dry weather. A roof or basement leak that only shows during heavy rain may not be visible on inspection day, which is why moisture readings and staining matter.

If something couldn't be checked, ask whether you can return before closing, or ask the seller for service records.

How Do Condo and New-Home Inspections Differ?

A condo inspection covers only the unit, and a new home inspection focuses on builder defects. A condo inspection covers the unit's electrical, plumbing, in-suite HVAC, windows, balcony and any signs of water damage. The CAHPI standards exclude common areas in multi-unit housing. The building's roof, structure and common elements belong to the condo corporation, and the status certificate covers those. The status certificate vs. condo inspection guide explains how to use both.

A new home warranty inspection looks for builder defects to report to your builder and Tarion before your warranty deadlines. See the Tarion warranty deadlines guide.

How Are Findings Prioritized in the Report?

Findings are ranked by priority so you can see safety issues first, then repairs to plan soon, then maintenance. CAHPI's standards require inspectors to report significant deficiencies and components near the end of their service lives, the implications of each, and "recommendations to correct, repair, or refer for further evaluation."

You get a digital report from Quality Inspections within 24 hours with:

Photos of each finding
Findings ranked by priority: safety issues, items to repair soon, and maintenance to plan for
Plain-language explanations and recommended next steps

Read the report with your realtor and lawyer before your condition deadline. Use the high-priority items to decide whether to negotiate, ask for repairs, or walk away. The home inspection red flags guide covers the findings that most often change a deal, and home inspection costs in the GTA covers pricing.

What Ontario and GTA Rules Show Up in an Inspection?

Ontario Fire Code alarm requirements are the provincial rule that most often shows up in an inspection report. Brampton Fire and Emergency Services says all Ontario homes must have "a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas." The Town of Oakville says that, effective January 1, 2026, homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages need carbon monoxide alarms "adjacent to sleeping areas and on every storey of the home." An inspector reports missing alarms, though CAHPI's standards don't require testing them. Test them yourself when you move in.

Housing stock also shapes what an inspector spends time on in each city. Older homes in Toronto and Burlington are more likely to have older wiring, older supply pipes and layered renovations. Brampton and Mississauga have many basement units, which bring fire separation and second-unit questions. Newer builds in Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill bring Tarion deadlines. Quality Inspections serves Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Oakville and Burlington.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a home inspector check for mold?

A home inspector reports visible mold and signs of moisture. Identifying mold species or measuring air quality is part of a separate mold and moisture assessment.

Do home inspectors go on the roof?

Inspectors look at the roof from the roof surface, a ladder or the ground, depending on pitch, height, weather and safety. The report states how the roof was inspected.

Will a home inspector check if renovations had permits?

No. Inspectors can point out work that looks unprofessional or unsafe, but permit history comes from the municipality. Ask your lawyer to check.

Does a home inspector test for radon?

No. Radon needs a test of at least 3 months according to Health Canada, so book a C-NRPP certified radon professional, usually after you move in.

Can a home inspector see behind walls?

No. Thermal imaging and moisture meters can point to likely problem areas, but the inspection is visual and doesn't open walls or find concealed defects.

How long does a home inspection take?

Most pre-purchase inspections take 2–4 hours. Condo inspections take 1–2 hours.

Should I be at the home inspection?

Yes, if you can. You'll see issues in person and can ask questions as the inspector goes.

Sources

Book an Inspection

Call (416) 899-8116 or book online. See pre-purchase inspection pricing, or the condo inspection page for units.