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Home inspection guides
Straight answers to the questions buyers and homeowners ask most in Vaughan and the GTA.
Buying a home
How much does a home inspection cost in Vaughan and the GTA?At GL Inspections a full home inspection costs $450 for a condo, $500 for a townhouse, $550 for a semi-detached and $600 for a detached house, flat…
Home inspection condition in Ontario: how many days do you have?There is no fixed number in Ontario law: the inspection condition is negotiated in your offer, and it is most often 3 to 5 business days. The exact…
Pre-offer inspection or conditional inspection: which should I do in the GTA?If the home has an offer date and you expect competing offers, a pre-offer inspection lets you submit a firm offer knowing the home's condition. If…
Should I be at the home inspection? What should I bring and ask?Yes, if you can. You don't need to follow the inspector for the full 2 h 30 min, but being there for the walk-through at the end is the most valuable…
The home inspection found problems. What are my options?First separate normal wear from major or safety issues; almost every report has a long list. If you still have an inspection condition, you can…
Final walk-through before closing in Ontario: what should I check?On your final visit, confirm the home is in substantially the same condition as when you bought it, that every chattel and fixture in your Agreement…
Do I need a home inspection for a condo in Ontario?It isn't legally required, but it is a smart move. The status certificate (reviewed by your lawyer) tells you about the condo corporation's finances…
Is a pre-listing inspection worth it for sellers in the GTA?For many GTA sellers, yes. A pre-listing inspection shows you problems before buyers find them, so you can repair them, get quotes or price them in…About the inspection
What does a home inspector actually check?A home inspector does a visual, non-invasive check of the home's major systems: roof, exterior and grading, foundation and structure, heating,…
What don't home inspectors check?A home inspection doesn't cover hidden areas (inside walls, under flooring, buried pipes), lab or environmental testing (mould, radon, asbestos, air…
How long does a home inspection take, and when do I get the report?With GL Inspections, the on-site inspection takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, followed by a walk-through of the findings. Your photo report is…
Do home inspectors need a licence in Ontario?Not yet. Ontario passed the Home Inspection Act, 2017, which would require inspectors to be licensed, but as of October 2026 it has not been…
Home inspection vs appraisal vs WETT inspection: what's the difference?A home inspection tells you the physical condition of the house, an appraisal tells your lender what the house is worth, and a WETT inspection checks…
Can you do a home inspection in winter?Yes. Most of a home can be inspected normally in an Ontario winter, and the heating system is tested under real conditions. The main limits are a…Red flags in older homes
What is Kitec plumbing and why does it matter when buying in Ontario?Kitec is a flexible PEX-aluminum-PEX water pipe with brass fittings that was installed in many GTA condos and some houses between roughly 1995 and…
Aluminum wiring and knob-and-tube: what are the risks and what should I do?Both can be safe when properly maintained, according to Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), but both need an assessment by a Licensed…
What electrical panel red flags does a home inspector look for?I look for signs of overheating (scorching, melted insulation, a hot smell), water or rust inside the panel, open breaker slots, breakers that look…
Foundation cracks: when should I worry?Thin vertical or hairline cracks in poured concrete are usually shrinkage and are common, even in new homes. Worry more about horizontal cracks,…
What are the signs of water in the basement when buying a home?Look for white chalky deposits (efflorescence) on concrete, tide-line stains, a musty smell, rust on appliance legs or nails, peeling paint and…
Vermiculite and asbestos in older homes: what should buyers know?Vermiculite is a loose, pebble-like attic insulation, much of it sold as Zonolite from a Montana mine that operated until 1990, and Health Canada…Roof, attic, HVAC and new homes
How long does a roof last in Ontario, and how do I know it needs replacing?Most asphalt shingle roofs in Ontario last about 15 to 20 years with basic 3-tab shingles and roughly 22 to 30 years with architectural (laminated)…
What causes attic problems like ice dams, frost and mould?Most attic problems in Ontario homes come from three things working together: warm, moist air leaking up from the house, insulation that is thin or…
How old is too old for a furnace, A/C or water heater, and what about rental contracts?As a rough guide, gas furnaces often last 15 to 25 years, central air conditioners 7 to 15 years and conventional tank water heaters 6 to 12 years.…
How do gutters, downspouts, grading and a sump pump keep water out of my basement?Keeping a basement dry is mostly about moving water away from the house before it reaches the foundation: eavestroughs that don't overflow,…
What should I check at my new-home PDI with the builder?At the Tarion pre-delivery inspection (PDI), the builder walks you through the new home before possession, and anything damaged, incomplete, missing…
What's different about inspecting a townhouse or semi-detached home?A townhouse or semi-detached inspection covers everything a detached-house inspection does, plus the shared (party) wall, the fire separation in the…Contact us today
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