Worth inspecting a Centretown condo apartment before buying?

A home inspection of a condo apartment is worth considering, and published Ottawa-area inspector pricing for a condo apartment runs roughly $350 to $470 plus HST. What you get for that fee is a visual examination of the unit itself, not the building as a whole.

Ontario.ca's general list of what an inspector will typically examine includes plumbing and electrical systems where visible, heating and air conditioning systems, ceilings, walls and floors, insulation where visible, ventilation, doors and windows, and common areas in a condominium. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs adds that the report is limited to areas the inspector can see or has access to, so if a mechanical room or storage area is locked, it stays uninspected. Before the inspection, it helps to confirm with the seller or agent that every space in the unit will be accessible.

What the inspection will not do is equally important to understand. Ontario.ca is clear that an inspection is not a pass or fail test and does not assess whether the home meets zoning or building codes. Ontario.ca also says an inspector cannot see or find everything, and gives the example that an inspector may not find mould. The inspector does not provide a warranty or guarantee on the unit's condition. And the federal Office of Consumer Affairs says an inspector should not give you estimates of repair or renovation costs; written quotes from the trades who would do the work are the right source for those numbers.

For a condo specifically, the unit inspection tells you about the condition of what is inside your four walls. It says nothing about the building's reserve fund, the status certificate, or what the condo corporation is responsible for maintaining. Those are documents your lawyer reviews, not your inspector. If the unit has a wood-burning fireplace or insert, WETT questions are covered on ottawafireplaces.com.

A few things worth asking before you book:

• May I see a sample report from a condo inspection?
• Do you have experience inspecting condo apartments specifically?
• Do you carry insurance, and can you give me the details in writing?
• Will you provide a written contract before the inspection starts?

Ontario.ca also suggests that if you are the buyer, you should be present during the inspection.

Local inspectors listed in the Ottawa Construction Network directory reply by email to requests sent through the form on this page.

Ask each inspector you call how much condo work they have done, and for a sample report from a condo apartment.