A home inspection gives you an independent look at the condition of a house, condo or townhouse before you commit to it. You can walk the property with the inspector, you hear the main findings before you leave, and you receive a written report within two days.
Why walking the home with us matters
A report is useful, but seeing a problem in person is better. When you walk through with the inspector, you can ask what a stain on the ceiling means, how old the furnace looks, or whether a crack in the basement wall is normal. You also learn where the main water shut-off, electrical panel and furnace filter are, which you will need on the day you move in.
At the end of the visit we go over the findings verbally, so you know the main issues right away. That matters when you are working to a condition deadline on an offer.
What we look at
- Exterior and site: grading and drainage, driveways and walks, decks, siding, windows, doors and visible foundation walls.
- Roof: roofing materials, flashing, chimneys, gutters and downspouts, inspected from the roof where it is safe or from the ground and ladder otherwise.
- Attic: insulation, ventilation, signs of moisture, frost or past leaks, where there is safe access.
- Structure: visible framing, beams, posts, slabs and signs of settlement or movement.
- Heating, cooling and ventilation: furnace or boiler, air conditioning, heat recovery ventilator, exhaust fans and venting.
- Plumbing: supply and drain piping, water heater, fixtures, visible leaks and sump systems.
- Electrical: service, panel, visible wiring, outlets, GFCI and AFCI protection, and older wiring types.
- Interior: walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, windows and signs of water damage.
- Life safety: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and fire separation between an attached garage and the house.
How it works
- Book and tell us about the home. Let us know the address, type and age of the home, your deadline, and anything that already worries you.
- Inspection day. The inspector works through the home system by system. You are welcome to join for all of it or for the last part.
- Verbal findings. Before we leave, we walk you through the main findings and answer your questions.
- Written report. You receive a written report with photographs within two days.
- Follow-up questions. If something in the report is unclear, or your contractor or agent has questions, call us.
What you get
- A walkthrough of the property with the inspector
- Verbal findings on the day of the inspection
- A written report within two days, with photographs
- Findings grouped by urgency so you can see what matters most
- Clear notes on where a specialist, such as a licensed electrician or roofer, should take a closer look
Getting ready for inspection day
A lot of what an inspector can report depends on access. If the furnace room is full of boxes or the attic hatch is sealed behind a closet shelf, those areas get noted as not inspected. Before the visit, ask your agent to confirm with the seller that:
- Water, power and gas are on, and pilot lights are lit
- The attic hatch, electrical panel, furnace, water heater and sump pit can be reached
- Garage, sheds and any locked rooms will be open
- Pets will be out of the way or secured
- Any disclosure statement or renovation permits are available for you to bring
Bring your own list of questions, a notebook or phone for photos, and any reports from earlier inspections if this is a home you have seen before.
How the findings are grouped
Not every finding carries the same weight. The written report sorts items so you can see where to focus your attention and your budget.
| Group | What it means | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Could hurt someone; deal with it before or soon after moving in | Missing CO alarms, a double-tapped breaker, a loose stair railing |
| Repair | Something is failing or letting water in | Negative grading toward the foundation, a leaking trap, damaged flashing |
| Maintenance and monitor | Normal upkeep, or an item to watch over time | Dirty furnace filter, caulking at tubs and windows, a hairline foundation crack |
A typical inspection day
A couple is buying a 1970s bungalow with a finished basement and a condition deadline at the end of the week. The inspector starts outside and on the roof, then works through the attic, the main floor and the basement. In the attic, the insulation is thin in places and there is old staining on the roof sheathing near a plumbing vent. In the basement, the panel has some older breakers and one circuit with two wires under a single terminal, and the grading on one side slopes toward the house. At the end of the visit the inspector walks the buyers through these points, explains which ones call for a licensed electrician or roofer, and shows them the water shut-off and furnace filter. The written report arrives within two days, giving them time to get a quote and talk to their agent before the deadline.
What an inspection is not. A home inspection is a visual review of what can be seen and safely reached on the day. It does not include opening walls, moving the seller's belongings or testing for things like asbestos, mould or radon unless agreed separately. Where we see signs that point to a hidden problem, we say so and recommend the right next step.
Who it's for
- Buyers of resale houses, condos and townhouses
- Sellers who want to know about problems before listing
- Owners of new homes checking work before warranty deadlines
- Homeowners planning a renovation or wanting a baseline on an older house
- Landlords checking a rental between tenants
Learn more before you book
Our home inspection checklist for buyers explains what to bring and what to ask, and how to read a home inspection report helps you sort serious findings from routine maintenance. If you are selling, see pre-listing inspections for sellers, and if you are buying a newly built home in Alberta, read about new home warranty inspections. To book, call 1-833-888-0091 or email contact@ehzee.ca.
Common questions
Do I need to be there for the inspection?
You don't have to be, but we recommend it. Walking the home with the inspector is the quickest way to understand the findings, and you can ask questions on the spot.
When will I get the report?
You hear the main findings verbally before we leave, and the written report follows within two days.
Do you inspect condos?
Yes. For a condo we inspect the unit and the systems that serve it, and we can point out what to look for in the condo corporation's documents, since common elements such as the roof and exterior walls are usually the corporation's responsibility.
Can the inspection tell me if the home passes or fails?
No. Home inspections don't produce a pass or fail. They tell you the condition of the home so you can decide whether to proceed, negotiate or budget for repairs.