Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
A standard home inspection in Ontario costs about $350 to $600, according to the Government of Ontario, and more for large or older homes. In the GTA, condos often cost $300 to $450 and large detached homes up to about $1,000. Add-ons like a sewer scope or radon test cost roughly $150 to $400 each.
This is for anyone buying a house, townhouse or condo in Toronto, Brampton or anywhere in the GTA who wants to know what a home inspection will cost in 2027 and whether it is worth it. You will get price ranges by home type, the extra tests that cost more, what an inspection misses, and how to pick an inspector in a province that does not license them.
How much does a home inspection cost in Ontario?
Expect to pay about $350 to $600 for a standard home inspection in Ontario. That is the range the Government of Ontario gives on its home-buying page, and it notes the fee can be higher depending on the size and condition of the home. Ask whether a quote includes HST.
A 2026 price guide from RenoQuotes, a renovation quote site, puts the Ontario average at about $430, with a range of $260 to $610, and the Toronto average at about $492, with most Toronto inspections between $400 and $650. GTA prices tend to sit at the higher end because homes are larger, older or both.
The fee depends on four things:
- Size: more square feet and more rooms take more time.
- Age: older homes can have dated wiring, plumbing and possible asbestos, so the inspector spends longer.
- Type: a condo apartment is quicker than a detached house with a basement unit.
- Extras: sewer camera scans, radon tests and mould sampling cost more.
What does a home inspection cost by type of home?
RenoQuotes published typical costs by property type. These are national figures, not Ontario-only, so treat them as a guide and get quotes from local inspectors.
| Property type | Typical cost | Typical time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Condo or apartment, under 1,000 sq ft | $300 to $450 | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Townhouse or duplex | $400 to $550 | 2 to 3 hours |
| Detached, under 2,000 sq ft | $450 to $650 | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
| Detached, 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft | $550 to $900 | 3 to 4 hours |
| Detached over 3,000 sq ft or with a suite | $850 to $1,200 | 4 hours or more |
Source: RenoQuotes, Home inspection cost in Canada 2026 price guide (updated October 1, 2026). National figures; Ontario page range is $350 to $600.
For a typical GTA purchase, that means a downtown condo might cost $300 to $450 to inspect, while a large detached home in Brampton, Vaughan or Oakville with a basement apartment could run close to $1,000.
What extra inspections might you need, and what do they cost?
A general inspection does not include every test. These add-ons are common in the GTA, especially for older homes.
| Add-on | Typical cost | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer camera scope | $150 to $400 | Older homes with mature trees, or any home with past basement water |
| Radon testing | $150 to $400 | Any home with a basement or ground-floor living space |
| Mould inspection and sampling | $200 to $500 | Musty smells, stains, or past leaks |
| Asbestos inspection | $150 to $800 | Homes built before 1990 with original materials |
| Oil tank scan | $150 to $350 | Older homes that once had oil heat |
| Thermal imaging | $100 to $300, often included | Finding hidden moisture and heat loss |
Source: RenoQuotes 2026 price guide. Prices vary by company and home.
The sewer scope is often the best value on an older city lot. RenoQuotes estimates that replacing a collapsed or root-filled sewer line costs $10,000 to $30,000, far more than the scan.
Radon is different. Health Canada says a reliable test must run for at least 91 days, ideally during the heating season, and the Canadian guideline is 200 becquerels per cubic metre. You cannot finish a proper radon test inside a normal five-day inspection condition. Plan to test after you move in, and budget for fixing it if the level is high.
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What does a home inspection cover, and what does it miss?
The Government of Ontario describes an inspection as a visual, in-person check of the home’s main systems. That includes the foundation, roof, outside walls, attic, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, insulation, ventilation, drainage and overall structure. In a condo it also covers common areas.
It has clear limits:
- It is not a pass or fail test.
- It does not check zoning or building code compliance.
- The inspector cannot see behind walls, so things like hidden mould or a roof under snow can be missed.
- Inspectors do not give warranties or guarantees.
We wrote a full list of what a home inspection does not cover in Ontario.
Are home inspectors licensed in Ontario?
No. The province says Ontario has no mandatory requirements for home inspectors at this time. Inspectors are not legally required to carry insurance either, though many carry general liability or errors and omissions coverage. That means you have to vet the inspector yourself. Our post on why home inspection in Ontario is not regulated explains how that happened.
Questions to ask before you book:
- What training and association membership do you have?
- Do you carry errors and omissions insurance, and how much?
- How many homes like this one have you inspected?
- Can I see a sample report?
- Can I attend, and when will I get the written report?
- What is included in the fee, and what costs extra?
The cheapest inspection is often the shortest. A $300 inspection on a 60-year-old detached house probably means a rushed visit. Ask how long the inspector will spend on site. If it is under two hours for a full house, find someone else.
How much does a house inspection cost in Brampton?
I have not found a Brampton-only price survey, so expect the Ontario range of about $350 to $600 for a typical townhouse or detached home, and more for a large home with a basement unit. From January to October 2026, the median detached home in Brampton sold for $950,000 and the median semi-detached for $790,000, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. Spending $500 to $900 to check a purchase that size is a small cost.
Brampton has one extra issue: basement apartments. The City of Brampton says additional residential units must be registered to be legal, and it publishes a map and list of registered properties. If a home has a second unit:
- Look up the address on the City’s registered units map before you firm up.
- Ask your inspector to pay attention to fire separation, exits, smoke alarms and the electrical panel in the unit.
- Ask the seller for permits and any Electrical Safety Authority certificate of acceptance for past electrical work. ESA calls that certificate important for insurance and resale.
More on local prices is in our Brampton housing market 2027 outlook.
Is a home inspection worth it in the GTA in 2027?
Yes, and 2027 makes it easier to get one. In March 2022, TRREB reported that GTA homes sold in an average of just 8 days on the market, which left little time to inspect. Today homes take longer to sell, which gives buyers that time.
| City | Avg days on market, detached, 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Brampton | 22 | 30 |
| Mississauga | 22 | 31 |
| Vaughan | 21 | 30 |
| Oakville | 24 | 33 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2024 (average days on market).
The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) warns buyers that skipping an inspection condition is a significant risk that needs careful thought. In most markets in 2027 you can include a condition, or inspect before an offer date. Learn how to write it in our guide to the home inspection condition in Ontario.
Who pays for the home inspection, the buyer or the seller?
In the deals I work on, the buyer almost always orders and pays for their own inspection, because the inspector then works for the buyer. Some sellers order a pre-listing inspection and share the report. That is useful, but it was paid for by the other side, so read it as a starting point and consider your own. If the inspection finds a problem, you may be able to ask for a price cut or credit before you firm up.
What if the inspection finds problems?
Almost every report lists issues, so do not panic over a long list. Sort the findings into three groups: safety items such as wiring or gas, big-ticket items such as the roof, foundation or sewer line, and normal wear. Get a contractor quote for anything in the first two groups while your condition is still open. Then you can firm up, ask the seller for a lower price or a credit, or walk away if the condition allows it. Our guide on how to negotiate after a home inspection walks through each option.
On a home that costs close to a million dollars, a $500 to $900 inspection is the cheapest insurance you will buy. For any house built before the 1980s, I tell my clients to add a sewer scope. For condos, pair a basic unit inspection with a careful read of the status certificate, because the building’s finances matter as much as the unit.
What to do next
- Get two or three quotes, and ask each inspector the six questions above.
- Book a sewer scope for older homes and any add-ons the listing suggests.
- Include an inspection condition in your offer, or inspect before the offer date.
- Attend the inspection and ask questions on site.
- Use the report to decide whether to proceed, renegotiate or walk away.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
How much is a home inspection in Ontario in 2027?
About $350 to $600 for a standard home, according to the Government of Ontario, and it can cost more for large or older homes. A 2026 RenoQuotes guide puts the Ontario average near $430 and Toronto near $492. Extras such as a sewer scope or radon test typically add about $150 to $400 each.
How much does a condo inspection cost in Toronto?
Usually $300 to $450 for a condo apartment under 1,000 square feet, based on a 2026 RenoQuotes price guide, and it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. In Toronto, also review the condo’s status certificate, because the building’s reserve fund and fees can matter more than the unit itself. Prices vary by inspector.
How much is a house inspection in Brampton?
Expect about $350 to $600, the Ontario range, for a typical Brampton townhouse or detached home, and more for a large home with a basement unit. Brampton’s median detached price was $950,000 from January to October 2026, per TRREB data via REALM. Check the City’s map of registered additional residential units if the home has a basement apartment.
Do home inspectors need a licence in Ontario?
No. As of 2026 the Government of Ontario says there are no mandatory requirements for home inspectors, and inspectors are not legally required to carry insurance. Ask any inspector about their training, association membership and errors and omissions insurance, and ask for a sample report before you book.
Is a sewer scope worth it when buying a house in Toronto?
Yes, for most older Toronto and GTA homes. A sewer camera scope costs about $150 to $400, while replacing a collapsed or root-damaged sewer line can cost $10,000 to $30,000, according to a 2026 RenoQuotes guide. It is most useful on homes with mature trees or any history of basement water.
Can I test for radon during a home inspection in Ontario?
Not reliably. Health Canada says a radon test should run at least 91 days, ideally in the heating season, and the Canadian guideline is 200 becquerels per cubic metre. A five-day inspection condition is too short. Most Ontario buyers test after moving in and budget for mitigation if levels are high.
Who pays for a home inspection in Ontario, the buyer or seller?
The buyer usually pays for their own inspection in Ontario, so the inspector works for them. Some sellers pay for a pre-listing inspection and share it with buyers. That report is helpful, but in 2027 most buyers still benefit from hiring their own inspector, especially for older homes.
How long does a home inspection take?
About 1.5 to 2 hours for a small condo and 2.5 to 4 hours for most detached houses, based on a 2026 RenoQuotes guide. Larger homes or homes with a basement suite can take four hours or more. If an Ontario inspector plans less than two hours for a full house, ask why.
Should I waive the home inspection to win a bidding war?
Usually no. RECO warns that skipping an inspection condition is a significant risk buyers need to weigh carefully. In 2026 GTA homes sold slower than in 2024, with detached homes in Brampton and Mississauga averaging 30 or more days on market, so most 2027 buyers can inspect before or after offering.
Sources
- Government of Ontario: What to know before buying a home (updated July 28, 2026)
- RenoQuotes: Home inspection cost in Canada, 2026 price guide (updated October 1, 2026)
- Health Canada: Guide for radon measurements in residential dwellings
- City of Brampton: Registered additional residential units
- Electrical Safety Authority: Notifications and inspections
- RECO: Competing offers, information for buyers
- TRREB Market Watch (REALM year-to-date figures are TRREB MLS data)
Related reading
- Biggest Condo Developers in Toronto: Track Records Buyers Should Check
- Is It a Good Idea to Buy a Condo in Toronto in 2027?
- Buying a House in Ontario on a Work Permit (2027): What the Foreign Buyer Ban Allows
- Can You Buy a House With No Down Payment in Ontario?
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.