Buying a home in Ottawa is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make — and a professional home inspection is your best defence against costly surprises. But if you've never been through the process before, it can feel a little daunting. What exactly gets inspected? What should you bring? What happens after?

This comprehensive checklist from the team at Property Inspection Network walks you through every step — before, during, and after your home inspection — so you can approach the process with confidence.

Before Your Home Inspection: What to Do

Choose a Qualified Ottawa Home Inspector

Not all home inspectors are created equal. In Ontario, home inspectors are regulated under the Home Inspection Act, 2017 and must be licensed through the Ontario College of Trades. Before you book, verify your inspector is:

Licensed in Ontario (ask for their licence number)
Experienced with the type of property you're buying (residential, condo, commercial)
Local — an inspector with deep Ottawa knowledge will recognize issues specific to this region (clay soil foundations, Ottawa winters, older electrical systems common in pre-1980s homes)

Meet the Property Inspection Network team — our inspectors bring decades of Ottawa-area experience to every job.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Are you licensed in Ontario?
How many inspections have you done on homes of this age and type?
What does your report include (written? photos? video walkthrough?)
How long will the inspection take?
Can I attend the inspection in person?
Do you offer add-on tests like mold, air quality, or WETT?

Schedule Add-On Tests in Advance

If you want mold/air quality sampling or a WETT inspection (required for homes with wood-burning fireplaces), arrange these at the time of booking — not the day before. Read our full WETT inspection guide for Ottawa buyers to understand exactly what's involved.

See our guide on home inspection pricing in Ottawa for what each add-on test typically costs.

Review the Property Disclosure

Before your inspection day, request the seller's property disclosure statement if one was provided. This lists any known issues the seller is aware of. Share this with your inspector so they can pay extra attention to flagged areas.

The Home Inspection Checklist: What Gets Inspected

A standard home inspection covers all visible and accessible components of the home. Here is the full checklist of what Property Inspection Network's inspectors evaluate.

Exterior

Roof and Drainage

Roof covering (shingles, metal, flat membrane) — condition, age, visible damage
Flashings around chimneys, skylights, vents, and valleys
Gutters and downspouts — attachment, flow, discharge location
Soffits and fascia — condition and ventilation
Chimney — mortar, cap, crown, flashing

Foundation and Grading

Visible foundation walls — cracks, efflorescence, signs of water intrusion
Grading — does the land slope away from the home? (Critical in Ottawa's wet springs)
Retaining walls and walkways

Exterior Walls and Windows

Siding material condition (wood, vinyl, brick, stucco)
Window and door frames — seal condition, rot, damage
Caulking and weather stripping
Exterior lighting (operational check)

Garage

Automatic opener and safety reverse function
Door-to-house fire separation
Structural condition (walls, ceiling, floor)
Electrical outlets and GFCI protection

Interior — Room by Room

Basement

Foundation walls — full visual inspection for cracks or moisture
Floor drains and sump pump (if present)
Evidence of previous water infiltration (staining, efflorescence, mold)
Insulation and vapour barrier condition
Structural beams and support columns

Attic

Insulation levels (R-value estimation)
Ventilation — adequate intake and exhaust
Signs of condensation or ice damming (very common in Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycle)
Roof structure — rafters or trusses, any signs of deflection or damage
Penetrations through the air barrier

Kitchen

Appliances (function check — range, dishwasher, built-in microwave)
Exhaust fan — operational and vented to exterior
Under-sink plumbing — leaks, drain condition
GFCI protection at countertop outlets near sink

Bathrooms

Exhaust fans — operational and vented to exterior
Toilet — secure, operational, no leaks at base
Tub/shower — tile condition, caulking, grout, signs of water intrusion
GFCI protection at outlets near water sources

Bedrooms and Living Areas

Ceiling and wall surfaces — cracks, stains, water marks
Windows — operation (open, close, lock), seal integrity
Floors — condition, squeaking, soft spots
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — placement and function
Electrical outlets and switches

Plumbing System

Visible supply lines (material — copper, PEX, CPVC — and condition)
Drain waste and vent lines (visible portions)
Water pressure and flow
Water heater — age, condition, safety controls, venting
Shut-off valves — accessible and operational
Signs of active leaks or previous water damage

Plumbing Red Flags Common in Ottawa Homes

Galvanized steel pipe (found in homes built before the 1970s — prone to corrosion and restricted flow)
Poly-B pipe (installed 1978–1995 — prone to failure, now considered a defect)
Lead service lines (found in some pre-1950s Ottawa homes — a health and safety issue)

Electrical System

Main electrical panel — amperage, breaker condition, labelling, signs of overheating
Wiring types visible — copper (standard), aluminum (flagged in certain configurations), knob-and-tube (flagged as aging)
Outlets — proper grounding, GFCI protection in wet areas
Smoke and CO detectors — placement per current code
Exterior outlets and lighting

Electrical Issues Common in Older Ottawa Homes

Knob-and-tube wiring (found in homes built before the 1950s — not inherently dangerous but often flagged by insurers)
Aluminum wiring (found in homes built 1965–1975 — manageable with proper connections, but requires disclosure)
Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels (older panel brands with known reliability issues)

Heating and Cooling Systems

Furnace — age, condition, filter, heat exchanger (visual inspection)
Air conditioning — condition, operation (seasonal; may not be operable in cold weather)
Ductwork — visible condition, signs of leaks or disconnections
Exhaust and combustion air
Thermostat operation

Fireplaces and Wood-Burning Appliances

If the home has a wood-burning fireplace, stove, or insert, a standard inspection will note it — but a separate WETT inspection is required for a complete assessment. This is not optional if you plan to use the appliance; it's also required by most insurers and lenders.

Learn more about WETT inspections in Ottawa and why they matter for Ottawa homebuyers — or read the complete guide: WETT Inspection Ottawa: Everything You Need to Know.

During the Inspection: What You Should Do

Be There in Person

This is the single most valuable thing you can do. Walking through the home with your inspector gives you context you simply cannot get from a written report. You'll see issues firsthand, ask questions in real time, and understand what's urgent versus what's normal wear and tear.

Take Your Own Notes and Photos

Your inspector will document everything in a detailed report with photos, but your own notes help you remember what was discussed during the walkthrough. Note anything the inspector flags verbally, including maintenance recommendations.

Don't Panic at Every Finding

Every home — even a brand-new one — will have findings. The goal is not a perfect report; it's an accurate report. Your inspector will prioritize findings so you know what needs immediate attention versus what's normal maintenance.

Ask Questions

Your inspector's job is to educate you, not just document problems. Ask things like:

"How urgent is this repair?"
"What would it cost to fix this?"
"Is this typical for homes this age in Ottawa?"
"What should I watch for after I move in?"

After the Inspection: What to Do with Your Report

Review the Full Report Carefully

Property Inspection Network delivers detailed written reports with photographs, priority ratings, and clear recommendations. Read it fully before making any real estate decisions.

Prioritize Your Findings

Work with your real estate agent to decide which findings are worth negotiating over. Focus on:

Safety issues — non-negotiable; address before closing
Major structural or mechanical defects — negotiate for price reduction or repair
Maintenance items — budget for these over the first few years

Request Specialist Quotes if Needed

For major findings, get quotes from licensed contractors before you close. This gives you real cost data for negotiations and helps you understand the true cost of ownership.

Consider a New Home Warranty Review

If you're buying a newer home still under the Tarion warranty, a new home warranty compliance review from Property Inspection Network can ensure all defects are properly documented before your warranty expires.

Special Inspection Types to Know About

Pre-Listing (Seller's) Inspection

Sellers can commission a home inspection before listing the property to identify and address issues in advance. This removes uncertainty for buyers, speeds up the sale, and can support a higher listing price. Learn more about our pre-listing inspection service.

Commercial Property Inspection Checklist

Buying commercial real estate in Ottawa? Commercial inspections are more complex and include additional assessments of HVAC, life safety systems, roofing, and structural components. Learn more about our commercial property inspection services.

New Construction Inspections

New homes are not immune to defects. A pre-delivery inspection (PDI) before your closing date ensures that deficiencies are documented and addressed by the builder while the warranty is still in effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most standard residential inspections take 2.5 to 4 hours depending on the size and age of the home. Larger or older homes may take longer. Plan to be present for the full duration.
Yes — new homes can and do have defects. A pre-delivery inspection ensures all issues are documented while the builder is still responsible under the Tarion warranty. See our new home warranty compliance review service.
There is no "pass" or "fail" in a home inspection. The purpose is to document the condition of the property as accurately as possible so you can make an informed decision. Every finding is presented with context, not a verdict.
You have options: renegotiate the price, request repairs before closing, ask for a credit at closing, or — in extreme cases — walk away if your offer included an inspection condition. Your real estate agent can guide you through the options.

Ready to Book Your Ottawa Home Inspection?

Property Inspection Network offers 24/7 online booking for residential and commercial inspections across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

👉 Book your inspection online now

👉 Learn about our residential inspection services

👉 See how much a home inspection costs in Ottawa

👉 Meet our certified Ottawa inspectors

Related Services

WETT Inspection Ottawa — Required by insurers for homes with wood-burning appliances
Mold Inspection Ottawa — Identify hidden mold and moisture issues
Air Quality Testing Ottawa — Test for VOCs, mold spores, and more
Pre-Listing Home Inspection Ottawa — Sellers: know your home's condition before listing
Commercial Property Inspection Ottawa — For office, retail, industrial, and multi-unit buildings

Serving Ottawa and Eastern Ontario for over 30 years. About Property Inspection Network.

Home Inspection Checklist: What to Expect (Ottawa Edition)