Thermal imaging with a Greely home inspection: included or extra?

Ask, because it varies by inspector. We found no regulator or government guidance on thermal imaging in home inspections, and too few independent published prices to show a range for it as an add-on. Whether it is in the base fee or charged extra is a question for each inspector you call.

The useful question is what it is used for in their report. Ontario.ca describes a home inspection as "an on-site, in-person examination of a home's condition and structure" and "a visual inspection of major elements and systems", and the federal Office of Consumer Affairs says a report is limited to the areas the inspector can see or has access to. Ask how any thermal images fit into that, and what the inspector writes beside them.

On the base 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. For larger homes the price is set by size, so ask for a written quote.

Before you book:

• Ask whether thermal imaging is included in the quoted fee or priced separately, and get that in writing.
• Ask for a sample report that shows how thermal images are presented.
• Ask what the images are used to note, in the inspector's own reports.

Ontario.ca also suggests getting quotes from more than one inspector, which is the simplest way to compare what each one includes.

When you compare quotes for the Greely house, put the thermal imaging line side by side, included or extra.