Question 1

Is an inspection booked online covered by Ontario consumer law?

Accepted Answer

When you book a home inspection through a website, the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 may apply to that transaction, but whether it does depends on how the agreement is classified, and that is a question for a lawyer rather than something this site can settle for you.

Question 2

What does CSA A770 mean for a home inspection in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

CSA A770 is a national home inspection standard that CSA Group, a non-profit standards organization, published in 2016 for voluntary use by home inspectors. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs suggests asking a prospective inspector whether they will apply it, but it is not required by law in Ontario. Ontario passed a Home Inspection Act in 2017, but it has not been brought into force, so there is no provincial licence today and no mandatory standard an inspector must follow.

Question 3

What belongs in a written home inspection contract in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

We found no Ontario rule in force on what a home inspection contract must contain; the Home Inspection Act, 2017 would require a written contract, but it has not been brought into force. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs advises asking for a written contract before work starts that spells out the items to be inspected, the report deadline, and the total cost.

Question 4

Why ask a Barrhaven inspector for a sample report first?

Accepted Answer

A sample report shows you exactly what you will get before you commit to anything. Ontario passed a Home Inspection Act in 2017, but it has not been brought into force, so there is no provincial licence today, and ontario.ca says Ontario does not have mandatory requirements for home inspectors. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs puts it plainly: ask for a sample report before hiring.

Question 5

Signed an inspection contract at the house in Orleans: can I cancel?

Accepted Answer

A contract signed in person at the property for more than $50 may be a "direct agreement" under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, 2002, which can give you a 10-day cancellation right after you receive a written copy of the agreement. Whether your inspection contract qualifies depends on how the agreement was formed and what it contains, and that is a question for a lawyer rather than something this site can answer definitively.

Question 6

Should I get quotes from more than one inspector in Kanata?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ontario.ca suggests getting quotes from more than one inspector, and the federal Office of Consumer Affairs suggests a written contract before the work starts. Kanata is in the City of Ottawa service area, so the same Ontario rules apply as anywhere else in the city.

Question 7

Where do I complain about a home inspector in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Start with ontario.ca's consumer complaint page. Ontario passed a Home Inspection Act in 2017, but it has not been brought into force, so there is no provincial licence today and no licensing body for home inspectors. Ontario.ca links complaints about a home inspector or a home inspection to its general consumer complaint process.

Question 8

Are references worth checking for an Orleans home inspector?

Accepted Answer

References can tell you things that no credential or association membership will: whether the inspector communicated clearly, whether the report was readable, and whether anything was missed that showed up later. Ontario passed a Home Inspection Act in 2017, but it has not been brought into force, so there is no provincial licence today, so the checks are the ones you make.

Question 9

Which questions does ontario.ca suggest putting to an Ottawa home inspector?

Accepted Answer

Ontario.ca suggests five questions to put to a home inspector before you book: - May I see a copy of the inspection report you use? - Do you have experience inspecting the type of home I am considering? - Do you have insurance? - May I see accreditation that shows what kind of training and experience you have? - Can you provide references? Ontario.ca also says to get quotes from more than one inspector and to ask whether they choose to carry insurance.

Question 10

Does experience with century homes matter for a Glebe inspection?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is worth asking. One of ontario.ca's suggested questions for any inspector is: "Do you have experience inspecting the type of home that I'm considering?" For a century home in the Glebe, that is the question to put first. Ontario.ca describes a home inspection as a visual inspection of major elements and systems.

Hiring an Inspector