Pre-Listing Inspection

A seller can order an inspection before listing. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs says "some sellers do this to share with prospective buyers", and ontario.ca says an inspection can help the seller determine the value of their home.

It does not replace the buyer's own. Ontario.ca: "Although seeing a current inspection report can be helpful, buyers should have their own home inspection done too." RECO notes that the information in a seller's property information statement "is based only on their personal knowledge".

Ontario.ca is plain about the limits: "A home inspection is not a pass or fail test. It doesn't assess if a home meets zoning or building codes." An inspector cannot see or find everything (it gives mould and a snow-covered roof as examples) and does not provide warranties or guarantees on a home's condition.

After an inspection, ontario.ca lists the buyer's usual options as asking the seller to make certain repairs, accepting a defect, asking for a price adjustment, or not buying. Knowing the findings before the house is listed lets a seller think about those requests ahead of time.

Ontario passed a Home Inspection Act in 2017, but it has not been brought into force, so there is no provincial licence today. Ontario.ca says: "At this time, Ontario does not have mandatory requirements for home inspectors." Ontario.ca suggests asking for a copy of the report the inspector uses, whether they have experience with the type of home, whether they choose to have insurance, what training and experience they can show, and for references; it also says to get a written contract and quotes from more than one inspector.

Ontario.ca puts home inspection fees at $350 to $600, and says they may be higher depending on the size and condition of the home.