Yes - if you would like to minimize the risks of buying a home, know better about its physical condition, plan for future expenses, and sleep better at night. In short, it’s a small investment for peace of mind.

Even if no major issues are found, a home inspection is a valuable on-site learning opportunity. You'll gain insights into how the house works, how to operate and maintain it properly.

For more reasons to get a home inspection, please read the article “Can a Buyer Inspect the Home Themselves?” or visit our “Photo Gallery” to see what an inspection may uncover.

A typical home inspection takes 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the size, age, condition of the property, as well as the number of questions you may have. Larger or older homes may require more time. As a courtesy, we shall notify the seller in advance about the estimated duration, so they can be prepared.

You are suggested to schedule an inspection right after the purchase agreement has been signed. This allows you a better opportunity to choose a time most convenient for you and your inspector. It is recommended that the inspection clause allows at least 3 business days to complete the process.

If you are unable to get a referral from someone who you trust, make sure your inspector is a Registered Home Inspector (RHI), like Mr. Sen Lin.

Please be aware: the home inspection industry in Ontario is still not regulated. Anyone can claim to be a home inspector, making the market quite chaotic and non-standardized. Clients should exercise caution when making their choice. To learn more about this subject, please read the featured articles: "What Qualifications Are Required to Practice as a Home Inspector? What is the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI)?"; "What Is a Registered Home Inspector (RHI)? How to Choose a Home Inspector?.

Yes, you must attend the inspection. You should accompany the inspector throughout the entire process and ask questions directly -- very important!

We will point out issues on-site, explaining: what the problems are; why they are problematic; potential consequences; the severity level; how to handle them. We’ll also demonstrate how to operate equipment and maintain the property, and suggest tailored improvements. You’ll learn a lot - not just about the disadvantages, but also about the advantages.

A home inspection is a complex information service. Some clients expect the inspector will simply tell whether the house is “good” or “bad”, “pass” or “fail”, but it doesn’t work that way. If you’re not present, reading the report alone will not give you a full and intuitive understanding of the property. In fact, the report may even seem confusing or lead to misinterpretation. It is in your best interest to attend the inspection.

We strongly prefer and request that the seller not be present during the inspection. This allows the buyer and inspector the necessary freedom and space to fully engage in the job. If the seller must remain in the home due to unavoidable circumstances, please ask them not to follow the inspector and buyer around, and refrain from interfering or engaging in the process.

However, we do not object to the seller’s agent being present, whether to offer necessary explanations at the beginning, to stay in an area of the property, or to maintain a respectful distance. However, they should refrain from interfering with the inspector's work, and avoid being within earshot of conversations between the inspector and the client.

For more information on the roles and expectations of all parties involved, please refer to the article "Guidelines for Buyers and Sellers During a Home Inspection".

You will typically receive a PDF version of the written report via email on the same day as the inspection, and no later than the following day. If requested in advance, we can provide the report immediately after the inspection – no waiting! Of course, since we continuously explain our findings to you throughout the inspection, you will already have a thorough understanding of the property's condition by the time we finish.

The inspection report and all related information are your private property, which were obtained through a service you paid for. They will only be provided to you or your representative. Without your explicit instruction, the report will never be shared with any other parties and will remain strictly confidential at all times.

Issues found during an inspection should be handled in accordance to the inspection clause in the purchase agreement. Please consult your representing agent for specific guidance. Different clients have varying levels of tolerance for the same issue, and their potential requests may differ based on their understanding, experience, and expectations of the property. The final resolution is influenced not only by the terms of the agreement, but also by the dynamics of the negotiation between the parties.

Although this matter falls under the purview of real estate agents, and not our scope of work, since we are frequently asked about it, we offer some general insights for your reference:

• No home is perfect, and it is not difficult for an inspector to find some defects or weaknesses in almost every property.
• For normal wear and tear or maintenance-related issues, which almost every property has, buyers generally understand, and are willing to address themselves after taking possession.
• For issues that were obvious before the inspection or had already been disclosed by the seller, it is generally difficult for the buyer to make any further demands.
• For unexpected problems, especially those that may lead to further damage, it is reasonable for buyers to feel concerned, and potentially request repairs or a price reduction from the seller. In such cases, buyers should consider: whether the seller may only perform temporary or superficial repairs; whether it would be better to handle the repairs themselves after closing to ensure quality and meet their own expectations; the likelihood of their request being accepted by the seller and the potential impact on the transaction.
• We recommend: for urgent issues that any responsible homeowner would address immediately upon discovery, such as a non-functioning furnace or active leaks in the basement or bathroom, it is reasonable to request repairs from the seller. And such requests are more likely to be accepted.

No. A home inspection is an objective assessment of the property's current condition. It is not an official code or bylaw compliance inspection, nor is it an appraisal of the home’s value. Therefore, there is no such thing as "pass" or "fail". An inspector will not, and cannot tell you whether the home has passed or failed the inspection, because no such standard exists. We also do not provide opinions on whether to buy it. No home is perfect - only you know what is acceptable, what is not, and what you are prepared to take on. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not to buy it.

Absolutely. Providing long-term consultation is part of our service. Whether during the inspection or afterward, you’re always welcome to reach out with any questions about the home’s condition, operation, maintenance, or improvements. We’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can.

We work exclusively for you - our client. Our only allegiance is to you.

We conduct our jobs independently, remain free from any external influences, and consciously keep at arms length from any party who may have interest in the real estate transaction.

While we do receive many referrals from agents, we do not offer nor accept any form of benefit in return. They refer us because, after comparing us with many other inspectors, they trust our expertise, judgment, integrity, ethical standards. They believe that our service provides the best protection for their clients' interests. We are honored to work with so many outstanding real estate professionals, with whom we share equal high standards of client care and work ethic. We believe, they will be grateful when we discover significant problems and provide accurate information to their clients.

Yes, we are fully insured. We carry both Professional Liability Insurance (Errors and Omissions) and General Commercial Liability Insurance. However, it’s important to understand that these policies are in place to protect us as inspectors - they are not designed to cover losses for clients. Clients should not assume that the insurance will compensate them for losses they believe were caused by inspector oversight. The inspector’s liabilities and limitations are clearly outlined in the inspection contract, which defines the scope of service.

No, it cannot and is not. Although a home inspection may discover a lot of problems and significantly reduce your purchasing risks, it can't detect all problems and eliminate all risks, as there are many limitations to the job. It is NOT any kind of guarantee or warranty. Some issues are difficult to be detected during limited 2~3 hours' inspection, and can only be found by living in a house. Things may change, and do change. An inspector cannot predict all future scenarios.

As such, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reminds the homebuyers: "A home inspection is not intended to provide warranties or guarantees. A home inspection is intended to help you make an informed decision about buying your home. A home inspection is not to be mistaken as a warranty on the house. " -- This is something that most home inspectors will acknowledge honestly and openly.

The inspection fee you pay is for the inspector’s time, labor, and expertise - not for an insurance policy.