Where does pre-purchase home inspection fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
Work planned around the house you live in, with the rest of the home kept livable where possible.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For an insurance claim: Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
We document the work so your insurer can see what was found and what was done.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial buildings: Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
Scheduled around an occupied business and built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For condos and multi-unit buildings: Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
Coordinated with the building, the board and the access rules.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For rental properties: Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
Planned for durability, tenant turnover and a schedule that keeps the unit available.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
Know what you are buying before you sign. A clear report on the structure, systems and problems that matter.
What it is
A pre-purchase inspection is a visual check of the home by someone who looks at buildings for a living. It covers the structure, the roof, the basement and the main systems, and it flags problems that could cost you later.
It does not replace your own decision, but it gives you facts to negotiate with and plan around.
How it works
- Book the visitSend us the address and the timing. We confirm the visit and what is included.
- Walk the propertyWe inspect the structure, roof, basement, exterior and accessible systems.
- Test where it mattersMoisture and other checks are done where the signs point to a problem.
- Get your reportA clear written report with photos and what to do next.
What we look at
Structure and foundation
Cracks, settlement, sagging and signs of water in the foundation.
Roof and exterior
Age, condition and water entry points.
Basement and moisture
Dampness, staining and the signs of mould or water migration.
Decision 1: Where a pre-purchase inspection is used
A pre-purchase inspection is used for houses, condos and small commercial buildings before an offer is firm. It shows the condition the price should reflect.
| Property | What matters most | Typical concern |
|---|---|---|
| Detached and semi-detached houses | Structure, roof, basement, systems | Foundation, moisture, roof age |
| Condos and townhomes | Building envelope, common areas, unit systems | Shared building issues, moisture |
| Small commercial | Structure, roof, systems, fire separation | Code, roof, drainage |
Our pick: Inspect before the offer goes firm. The findings are the basis for the negotiation.
Decision 2: Structure and foundation
The structure is checked for cracks, settlement, sagging and the signs of water in the foundation. These are the findings that change the price most.
| Sign | What it may mean |
|---|---|
| Horizontal crack in the foundation | Soil pressure, may need engineering |
| Stepped crack in brick | Settlement or movement |
| Sagging floor or beam | Overloaded or failed support |
Our pick: A structural sign changes the price. It needs an engineer before the offer is firm.
Decision 3: Roof and exterior
The roof and the exterior are checked for age, condition and the places water enters. The roof age alone affects the budget.
| Element | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Roof covering | Age, curling, missing shingles |
| Flashing | Chimney, vents, valleys |
| Cladding and windows | Joints, sills, staining |
Our pick: Roof age is a budget item. A roof close to the end of its life is a negotiation point.
Decision 4: Basement and moisture
The basement is checked for dampness, staining and the signs of water or mould. Moisture is one of the most common issues in older homes.
| Sign | Check |
|---|---|
| Damp walls or floor | Moisture meter and source |
| Efflorescence or staining | Water path through the wall |
| Musty smell | Hidden moisture or mould |
Our pick: Moisture in the basement is the finding that most often changes the offer.
Decision 5: Systems: electrical, plumbing and heating
The visible systems are checked for condition and safety. Older systems are flagged so the buyer knows what may need replacing.
| System | What is noted |
|---|---|
| Electrical panel and wiring | Age, type, obvious faults |
| Plumbing supply and drains | Material, leaks, pressure |
| Heating and cooling | Age, condition, service record |
Our pick: Note the age and the condition of each system. Replacement cost is a negotiation item.
Decision 6: Limitations of the inspection
A visual inspection cannot see inside every wall or under every finish. The report states what was and was not checked, so the limits are clear.
| Limit | What it means |
|---|---|
| Inside walls | Not visible without opening |
| Behind finishes | Not checked unless opened |
| Underground services | Not visible; need a separate scope |
Our pick: Read the limits in the report. What was not checked is part of the decision.
Decision 7: Reporting and the negotiation
The report is written so the buyer can use it in the negotiation. Each finding has a photo, a location and a plain-language note.
| Report item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Photos and locations | Show where each finding is |
| Plain-language note | Explain what the finding means |
| Priority | Mark what needs attention before the offer |
Our pick: Use the priority list in the negotiation. The most urgent findings come first.
Decision 8: Timing and the offer
The inspection is booked before the offer is firm, so the findings can change the offer. Timing decides whether the findings can be used.
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| Before the offer | Book the inspection |
| After the report | Use the findings in the offer |
| After the offer is firm | Findings become harder to use |
Our pick: Book the inspection before the offer goes firm. The findings are only useful before the commitment.
Decision 9: After the inspection
The report is the starting point for the next steps: the specialists, the repairs and the plan for the systems that need attention.
| Next step | When |
|---|---|
| Specialist report | For structural or moisture findings |
| Repair planning | For the priority items |
| Maintenance plan | For the systems and the roof |
Our pick: Act on the priority items first. A plan for the next five years is the most useful thing the report can give.
Questions
Is this the same as a home inspector?
We are a construction and restoration team, so we look at the building from the trades side. Ask us what we cover before booking.
Should I inspect before making an offer?
Yes, if you can. Some problems change the price you should pay, and it is easier to ask before you are committed.
Will you tell me the house is fine?
We report what we find, including the things we cannot see. If something needs a specialist, we say so.
Related: Inspect & TestMould RemediationAll restoration