Updated September 2026
A home inspection is your chance to learn what you're buying before you're committed to it. No home is perfect, and most reports list plenty of small items. Here are the findings Ontario buyers should take seriously, and what to do when one comes up.
When the inspection happens in Ontario
Most buyers make their offer conditional on a satisfactory home inspection, giving them a few days after acceptance to inspect. When there's a set offer date and competing buyers, many buyers inspect before they submit their offer so they can make a firm one. Some sellers also provide an inspection report they had done before listing. Our guide to making an offer covers these choices.
Choose an experienced inspector, ask to see a sample report, and go to the inspection if you can.
1. Water in the basement and poor drainage
Water is the most common source of expensive problems. Watch for stains, efflorescence (white, chalky deposits on foundation walls), musty smells, fresh paint on one patch of basement wall, and soil that slopes toward the house. Ask how the basement has been used, whether it has ever leaked, and whether there's a sump pump and backwater valve.
2. Foundation and structural movement
Hairline cracks are common as concrete cures. Wider cracks, horizontal cracks, bowing walls, sloping floors and doors that no longer close properly can point to movement that needs a structural engineer's opinion before you firm up.
3. Older wiring
According to Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), knob-and-tube wiring can be safe if it's properly maintained, but many insurers won't cover a home with it or will require it to be replaced. Homes built between the mid-1960s and late 1970s may have aluminum wiring, which is safe with proper connections, though some insurers want it inspected first. If the inspector finds either one, call your insurance company before your condition expires, and consider an assessment by a licensed electrical contractor.
Also watch for scorched outlets, a panel that's full or undersized, and amateur wiring.
4. Roof, windows and major systems near the end of their life
A worn roof, an old furnace or air conditioner, or a failing water heater isn't a reason to walk away, but it's a cost you should plan for. Ask for the age of each and any service records, and factor replacement into your budget and your offer.
5. Vermiculite insulation
Some vermiculite insulation sold before 1990 may contain asbestos. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety says it shouldn't be a concern while it stays undisturbed in the attic or walls, but it should be tested by a qualified professional before any renovation that would disturb it. If you plan to renovate, get advice on testing and removal costs.
6. Radon
Radon is an invisible gas that can seep into basements. Health Canada recommends taking action if the average level is above 200 Bq/m³, and testing for at least three months, including the heating season. That means a proper test usually can't be done during a short condition period. Plan to test after you move in; if levels are high, mitigation systems are available.
7. Signs of pests
Look for droppings, gnaw marks and damaged wood in the attic, basement and garage. Carpenter ants and mice are common in our area, and some older neighbourhoods in Ontario have termites. A pest control company can tell you how serious it is.
What to do when the report turns up a problem
Get a specialist's opinion on anything serious, such as a structural engineer, a licensed electrician or a roofer, while you're still within your condition period.
Negotiate. You can ask the seller to repair the problem before closing, reduce the price or give you a credit on closing.
Walk away if the problem is too big, as long as your condition hasn't been waived.
Your agent should help you decide which findings are routine and which ones matter. Call us at (905) 830-9111.
