Quick answer: Ontario does not license home inspectors. The Home Inspection Act, 2017 was passed but never proclaimed into force, so there is no provincial licence, no mandatory training, and no required insurance. Vetting is on the consumer. Check which standard the inspector works to (CSA A770 is the Canadian national standard), whether they carry errors and omissions plus general liability insurance, what association they belong to, and ask to see a full sample report before booking.
Here is something that surprises almost every buyer in this province.
There is no home inspector licence in Ontario. None. Ontario passed the Home Inspection Act, 2017, which would have created licensing, mandatory insurance, minimum standards for contracts and reports, and a code of ethics with a discipline process. It was never proclaimed into force. Years later, it still has not been.
British Columbia licenses home inspectors. Alberta licenses home inspectors. Ontario, with roughly 1,500 people working in the field, does not. Which means the person you hire could have 20 years of trade experience and a stack of certifications, or a business card printed last Tuesday, and the province draws no distinction between them.
So the vetting is yours to do. It is not complicated, but it does have to be done.
1. Ask which standard of practice they work to
This is the fastest way to separate a professional from a hobbyist, because a professional will answer immediately.
CSA A770 Home Inspection is the Canadian national consensus standard, developed by CSA Group with input from inspectors, regulators, consumer groups, and technical specialists. The current designation is CSA A770:16, reaffirmed in 2026. It sets out which systems and components must be inspected, general inspection methods, and minimum reporting requirements. Some Ontario associations require their members to work to it.
Association standards of practice from CAHPI, OAHI, OntarioACHI, and InterNACHI cover similar ground.
The point is not which one. The point is that there is one, that the inspector can name it, and that the inspection agreement you sign references it. An inspector working to no defined standard is deciding the scope of your inspection privately, on the day.
2. Confirm insurance, in writing
With no legal requirement to carry it, insurance becomes a real differentiator.
Ask for two things: errors and omissions insurance, which responds if the inspector misses something they should have caught, and commercial general liability insurance, which responds if something is damaged during the inspection. Most reputable associations require E and O coverage as a condition of membership.
Ask for a certificate. An inspector who carries coverage will have no trouble producing it.
3. Look at credentials, then look past them
Association memberships and designations are useful signals. Registered Home Inspector, Canadian Certified Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector, Certified Master Inspector, and similar designations each carry education, examination, or experience requirements that go beyond the zero that the province requires.
They do not tell you everything. What they tell you is that the person invested in training and agreed to be accountable to a body with a code of ethics. Combine that with relevant background. Someone who spent years in construction, HVAC, or the electrical trades brings a different depth to a panel or a mechanical room.
Also ask a boring but revealing question: how many inspections have you personally performed, and how many in properties like this one? A century home in Riverdale, a 2019 Markham build, and a 14 unit commercial plaza are not the same job.
4. Read a full sample report before you book
Not the summary page. The whole thing.
You are buying a document as much as you are buying a few hours of someone's attention. A good report:
- Is organized by system, so you can find things later
- Uses photographs of the actual finding, not stock illustrations
- Describes the condition, why it matters, and what the next step is
- Distinguishes safety issues, items needing further evaluation by a specialist, and maintenance
- States clearly what was not inspected and why, such as snow cover, locked areas, or stored belongings
- Is written in language you can hand to a contractor or a lawyer
Reports that are a checklist of ticked boxes with no photographs and no explanation are hard to use and worth less to you in a negotiation. Ask 360 Inspection for a sample report before you decide.
5. Understand the scope, and the limits
A standard home inspection is a visual, non-invasive review of the readily accessible systems and components on the day of the inspection. It is a snapshot of condition, not a prediction, a warranty, or a code compliance certificate.
It does not include opening walls, lifting flooring, dismantling equipment, moving stored items, or evaluating anything concealed. It does not include environmental testing unless you add it. Wells, septic systems, pools, and wood-burning appliances typically require their own scope.
An inspector who tells you they will find everything is telling you something useful about themselves.
6. Ask what the price actually includes
360 Inspection residential pricing starts at $350. Final pricing is confirmed before the appointment based on property type, size, age, location, inspection scope, accessibility, and any specialty services added. Commercial properties are quoted individually because the scope depends on the building, use, systems, and client requirements.
Price moves with square footage, age, complexity, accessibility, and any specialty services added, such as thermal imaging, radon testing, mould inspection, or a drone roof inspection.
Then ask what is included beyond the walkthrough. Report turnaround time. Whether you can call afterward with questions about the findings. Whether the inspector will speak to your contractor. Those things have real value and vary a lot between providers.
The cheapest inspection in a transaction this size is rarely the thing to optimise. A $150 saving means nothing against a roof you did not know about.
7. Questions worth asking before you book
- Which standard of practice do you follow, and is it named in the agreement?
- Do you carry errors and omissions and general liability insurance? Can I see a certificate?
- How long will the inspection take for a property this size?
- Can I attend and follow along?
- When will I receive the report, and can I see a full sample first?
- What is specifically excluded from the scope?
- Do you offer the additional services this property may need?
- Are you available for questions after the report is delivered?
An inspector who answers all eight clearly and without irritation is generally the one to hire.
A note on who refers whom
Agent referrals are often excellent, because a good agent has seen dozens of inspectors work and knows who is thorough.
Still, remember whose interests are whose. Your inspector should have no stake in whether the transaction closes. If you feel any pressure toward speed or a soft touch, get your own. It is your money and your roof.
Frequently asked questions
Are home inspectors licensed in Ontario?
No. The Home Inspection Act, 2017 was passed but never proclaimed into force, so there is no provincial licensing requirement, no mandatory minimum training, and no required insurance for home inspectors in Ontario. Voluntary association membership and private insurance are the credentials available to check.
What is CSA A770?
CSA A770 Home Inspection is Canada's national consensus standard for home inspections. It sets out the systems and components that must be inspected, general inspection methods, and minimum reporting requirements. The current designation is CSA A770:16, reaffirmed in 2026.
How much does a home inspection cost in Toronto?
360 Inspection residential pricing starts at $350. Final pricing depends on property type, size, age, location, inspection scope, accessibility, and any added services such as radon testing, thermal imaging, mould inspection, or drone roof review.
How long does an inspection take?
Two to three hours is typical for an average home. Larger, older, or more complex properties take longer.
Can a home inspector guarantee there are no problems?
No. A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive review of accessible components on the day it is performed. Anything concealed, inaccessible, or intermittent may not be identified, and no inspection is a warranty of future performance.
Should I still get an inspection on a new build?
Yes. New homes commonly have deficiencies, and Ontario's warranty process runs on strict deadlines. See our guide to Tarion warranty inspections.
