GL InspectionsFinal 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 of Purchase and Sale is there and working, that any agreed repairs are done, and that there are no new leaks or damage. If something is wrong, tell your lawyer right away, before closing.
Updated October 2026 · By Gerardo Lucero, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)
Before you go: get your paperwork ready
Many GTA agreements include a clause giving the buyer one or more visits before closing; check yours, and have your agent book the time with the listing agent. Bring three things: your Agreement of Purchase and Sale (especially the chattels and fixtures list and any repair clauses), your inspection report, and your phone for photos. Under the standard Ontario agreement, the property generally stays at the seller's risk until completion, which is why any new damage needs to reach your lawyer before closing day, not after.
The checklist
Outside
- Roof, gutters and downspouts look the same; no new missing shingles after a storm.
- No new damage to fences, decks, railings, garage door or windows from the move-out.
- Items the seller agreed to remove (old sheds, debris, firewood) are gone.
Kitchen and appliances
- Every appliance listed as a chattel is present: the same fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer, not swapped for older ones.
- Run the dishwasher briefly, turn on each burner, check the fridge is cold.
- Look under the sink for fresh water stains.
Bathrooms and plumbing
- Run every tap and shower, flush toilets, check that drains empty normally.
- Check ceilings below bathrooms for new stains.
- Locate the main water shut-off and confirm it's accessible.
Electrical, heating and cooling
- Lights and fixtures included in the sale are still installed (sellers sometimes take a dining room chandelier that was supposed to stay).
- Turn the heat or A/C on and confirm it responds.
- Smoke alarms are on every storey and outside sleeping areas, and CO alarms are present if the home has fuel-burning appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage, as Ontario requires. Test them after you move in.
Basement
- With furniture gone, look at walls and floors that were hidden during your inspection: new cracks, efflorescence, damp spots or a musty smell.
- Sump pump (if any) and floor drain are clear.
Repairs and paperwork
- Any repair the seller agreed to is done. Ask for receipts, warranties and permits, as your agreement requires.
- Rental equipment (water heater, furnace, A/C) matches what your lawyer was told.
- Manuals, garage remotes, keys, alarm codes and mailbox keys are noted for handover.
Timing tips
Book the visit as close to closing as practical, ideally after the seller has moved out, since furniture hides walls and floors. On closing day, keys are only released once the deal is completed through the lawyers, which can be late in the afternoon, so don't book movers or a condo elevator too early.
Want a professional second look?
A final visit is not a home inspection, but if the home changed a lot since your inspection, or you skipped one, I can do a full visual inspection before closing. As a carpenter who has framed and renovated GTA homes since 2009, I know what move-out damage and rushed pre-closing repairs look like. For new builds, see our new-home PDI and Tarion inspection; for resale homes, the homeowner inspection is also available after you move in. More reading in our guides.
General information, not legal advice; confirm with your agent and real estate lawyer.
Closing soon? Contact GL Inspections to book a pre-closing inspection.
Sources
More guides
- How much does a home inspection cost in Vaughan and the GTA?
- Home inspection condition in Ontario: how many days do you have?
- Pre-offer inspection or conditional inspection: which should I do in the GTA?
- Should I be at the home inspection? What should I bring and ask?
- The home inspection found problems. What are my options?
Questions people ask
what to check on final walk through ontario
Same condition as when you bought, all chattels and fixtures present and working, agreed repairs done, and no new leaks or damage.
how many visits before closing ontario
It depends on your agreement. Many GTA offers include a clause allowing one or more visits; check with your agent.
seller took the light fixture what do i do
Tell your agent and lawyer before closing. Fixtures generally stay with the house unless the agreement excludes them.
found damage before closing
Take photos and call your lawyer right away. The property is generally at the seller's risk until completion under the standard Ontario agreement.
when do i get the keys on closing day
Once the deal is completed through the lawyers, which can be late in the afternoon.
Contact us today
Book in minutes
Tell me what you need and I'll confirm timing and price, usually within the hour.