A general home inspection is the minimum. Depending on the age and type of home, a few extra inspections can save you tens of thousands of dollars. This checklist covers what GTA buyers should test, when each one matters and roughly what to ask for.
1. General home inspection
A certified inspector checks the structure, roof, attic, windows, electrical panel, plumbing, heating and cooling, grading and signs of water. Attend in person, ask questions and read the full report, not just the summary. Expect about two to three hours for a typical house.
2. Sewer camera scope
Older Toronto and Mississauga homes often have clay or cast-iron sewer lines that tree roots can crack. A camera scope runs a few hundred dollars and can reveal a repair that costs $10,000 or more. Worth it for any home built before about 1980, or any home with large trees near the front yard.
3. Electrical: knob and tube and aluminum wiring
Homes from before the 1950s may still have knob and tube wiring, and some 1960s and 70s homes have aluminum branch wiring. Many insurers will not cover either without an electrician’s report or upgrade. Ask your inspector to look, and get an insurance quote before you firm up.
4. WETT inspection for wood stoves and fireplaces
If the home has a wood-burning stove or fireplace, most insurers require a WETT inspection. It confirms the unit and chimney are installed safely.
5. Basement water and grading
Look for efflorescence (white powder) on walls, stains, a musty smell, fresh paint in one corner and a sump pump that runs often. Check whether the home has a backwater valve, which the City of Toronto and several Peel municipalities have subsidized in flood-prone areas.
6. Hazardous materials
- Vermiculite insulation in the attic may contain asbestos.
- Asbestos can be present in older tiles, pipe wrap and plaster.
- UFFI (urea formaldehyde foam insulation) was used in some 1970s homes.
- Former grow operations can leave mould and wiring damage. Ask the seller directly and look for patched vents and unusual electrical work.
7. Roof and attic
Ask the age of the shingles and look for curling, missing granules and staining in the attic. A roof near the end of its life should be part of your price negotiation. See our guide to roof replacement costs in Toronto.
8. Basement units
If you are counting on rental income, confirm the second unit is registered with the City and has proper fire separation and egress. An unregistered unit can mean fines and insurance trouble.
9. Rented equipment and permits
Water heaters, furnaces and air conditioners are often rented in the GTA and the contract transfers to you. Ask your lawyer to search for open building permits and work orders.
Condos and new homes
For a condo, the inspection focuses on the unit, and the status certificate covers the building. For a new home, your pre-delivery inspection with the builder and the Tarion warranty forms play the role of the inspection. More in our new vs resale guide.
Buying in the GTA? We can recommend inspectors who know older Toronto and Peel homes. Contact us. HomeLife Landmark Realty Inc., Brokerage.