Can a pre-listing inspection help price my Westboro house?

It can inform your price, but it does not set one. Ontario.ca says an inspection can "help the seller determine the value of their home", and the federal Office of Consumer Affairs notes that some sellers order one to share with prospective buyers and speed up the selling process.

What the report gives you

Ontario.ca's list of what a home inspector will typically examine covers the foundation, doors and windows, the roof if they are able and it is safe to do so, exterior walls, attics, plumbing and electrical systems where visible, heating and air conditioning, ceilings, walls and floors, insulation where visible, ventilation, drainage away from the building, and the overall structural integrity. It says the report will normally show the condition of every major system and component, anything unsafe or needing repair or replacement, anything not working properly, and any evidence of past problems.

Two limits matter for pricing. The Office of Consumer Affairs says a home inspector should not give you estimates of repair or renovation costs, either during the inspection or in the report, so any dollar figure for an item comes from written quotes by the trades who would do the work. And ontario.ca says a home inspection is not a pass or fail test and does not assess zoning or building codes.

Ontario.ca also says that although seeing a current inspection report can be helpful, buyers should have their own home inspection done too. A pre-listing report informs your decisions; it does not replace the buyer's.

On the fee: ontario.ca puts home inspection fees at $350 to $600, and higher depending on the size and condition of the home. Published Ottawa-area inspector pages put a detached or semi-detached house up to about 2,000 sq ft at about $450 to $640.

How the findings and any trade quotes feed into your list price is a conversation for your listing agent.