Pre-purchase home inspection in Vaughan and the GTA

What I check

A pre-purchase inspection covers the whole house, from the roof to the foundation, following the InterNACHI® Standards of Practice:

• Structure: foundation walls, visible framing, beams and posts, signs of movement or water.
• Roof and exterior: shingles, flashing, gutters, chimneys, siding, grading, decks, porches and steps.
• Attic and insulation: ventilation, insulation depth, moisture and exhaust fans venting into the attic.
• Plumbing: supply and drain piping, water heater, fixtures and visible leaks.
• Electrical: service panel, breakers, wiring type, GFCI and AFCI protection, a sample of outlets.
• Heating and cooling: furnace or boiler, air conditioner, ducts and the age of the equipment.
• Interior: walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, stairs and railings.

Why it matters in the GTA

Inspection conditions here are often 5 business days or less, and in a competitive market buyers are tempted to skip them. A few hours of inspection can uncover a roof near the end of its life, a furnace that's 20 years old, or plumbing that insurers won't cover. That's money you can negotiate, or a house you decide to walk away from.

What you get

• A report with photos, usually within 24 hours
• Findings sorted by urgency: safety, major repairs, maintenance
• A plain-language explanation of what each repair usually involves, from someone who has done them
• Walk-through at the end, in English or Spanish