Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Yes, in most cases your buyer’s agent should attend the home inspection, and so should you. Ontario’s government tells buyers to be there to ask questions and see issues first-hand. Your agent’s job is access, timing and turning findings into next steps. The inspector, not the agent, judges the home’s condition.
This guide is for buyers in Toronto and across Ontario who have booked, or are about to book, a home inspection and want to know who should be in the room. You will learn what your agent should do on inspection day, what they should not do, who else may attend, and how to use the time well.
Should your real estate agent be at the home inspection?
In most cases, yes. A buyer’s agent who attends can manage access to the home, keep the inspection inside your condition deadline, hear the inspector’s concerns first-hand, and help you decide what to do next. If your agent hears a problem directly, they can explain it accurately to the seller’s side later, instead of passing along a summary of a summary.
There is no Ontario rule that says your agent must attend. It is a matter of service and good practice. Some buyers prefer to go with only the inspector, and that is your choice. But if you are paying a brokerage to represent you, ask before you sign whether attending the inspection is part of the service.
The bigger question is not your agent. It is you. Read on.
Should the buyer be at the home inspection?
Yes. The Ontario government’s guide for home buyers says plainly that if you are the buyer, you should be there for the inspection, so you can ask questions and see issues for yourself. The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), which regulates agents, says many inspection companies encourage buyers to attend. RECO also notes the decision is yours, but that attending leaves you better informed about upgrades or repairs you may face.
Being there matters because an inspection report is written for the record. It lists items, but it rarely tells you how worried the inspector really is. Standing in the basement while the inspector points at a crack and says “watch this” or “this is normal” is worth more than any photo. Plan to stay for the whole inspection, and block off enough time that you are not watching the clock.
What does a buyer’s agent do at a home inspection?
A good buyer’s agent has a practical, not technical, role. On inspection day I expect my team to:
- Arrange access with the listing side, confirm the time, and make sure utilities are on so the furnace, water and electrical can be tested.
- Protect the deadline. Your inspection condition has a fixed end date. If the report is late or something needs a second look, your agent needs to know at once.
- Listen and take notes on the items that could change the price or the decision to buy.
- Ask about cost and urgency. Is this a now problem or a five-years-from-now problem? The inspector may suggest you get a contractor’s quote, which your agent can help you arrange quickly.
- Check the listing claims. If the listing said “new roof” or “updated wiring”, your agent should ask the inspector whether what they see matches.
- Plan the next step with you: waive, ask for a price change or credit, or walk away.
The final step is where an agent earns their fee. My guide on how to negotiate after a home inspection covers credits, repairs and walking away.
What should your agent not do at the home inspection?
Your agent is not your inspector. RECO makes this point directly: an agent may have the experience to spot visually obvious defects, but underlying problems can exist. That is why you hire a qualified inspector.
On inspection day, your agent should not:
- tell you a defect is “nothing” or “normal for the age” when the inspector has flagged it
- hurry the inspector or cut the inspection short
- answer technical questions that only the inspector, an electrician, a roofer or an engineer can answer
- argue with the inspector’s findings in front of you
- pick the inspector for you without giving you other names
An agent only gets paid if the deal closes. A good agent puts that aside and makes sure you hear the bad news clearly. If your agent seems to be playing down every problem, take that as a warning sign. You can, and should, speak to the inspector alone.
Home inspectors are not licensed in Ontario. The province says it has no mandatory requirements for home inspectors at this time, and that inspectors are not required by law to carry insurance. Ask any inspector, including one your agent suggests, about training, insurance and a sample report before you book. My guide to why home inspectors are not regulated in Ontario explains the gap.
Should the seller or the listing agent be at the inspection?
In my experience in the GTA, the listing agent or the seller often arranges access, and some listing agents stay for the inspection. Sellers usually leave the home. There is nothing wrong with a listing agent being present, but remember who they work for. Anything you say out loud, such as “we would still buy it at this price,” can reach the seller.
A few simple habits help:
- Save your reactions and your budget talk for after you leave the house.
- Ask the inspector to send the report to you, not to the other side.
- If the same brokerage represents both you and the seller, ask before inspection day how it will handle what it sees and hears.
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How much does a home inspection cost in Ontario, and who pays?
The buyer usually books and pays the inspector, because the inspection is done for the buyer’s protection. Published ranges:
| Source | Home inspection fee range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Ontario | $350 to $600 | May be higher for larger homes or homes in poor condition |
| RBC (Canada-wide) | $300 to $500 | Depends on home size and location |
| Scotiabank (Canada-wide) | $300 to $1,000 | Depends on size and location of the property |
Source: Ontario, What to know before buying a home (updated 28 July 2026); RBC and Scotiabank closing cost guides.
Ask what the fee includes. Specialist checks, such as a sewer camera scope, a wood-burning fireplace or chimney review, or a well and septic check outside the city, may be separate. The CMHC home buying guide advises an inspection by a professional inspector whether the home is new or resale.
What should you ask the inspector while you are there?
Ontario suggests asking an inspector, before you hire them, to show you a sample report, confirm their experience with your type of home, explain their insurance and accreditation, and provide references. On the day, these questions work well:
- Which three items worry you most, and why?
- Is this a safety issue, a repair, or normal wear?
- Roughly how much life is left in the roof, furnace and air conditioner?
- Is there any sign of past water in the basement or attic?
- What could you not see or test today, and who should look at it?
The last question matters. The province reminds buyers that an inspection is visual, is not a pass or fail test, and does not check whether the home meets zoning or building codes. An inspector cannot see everything, and may not find mould or inspect a roof under snow. Read what a home inspection does not cover to see who to call for the gaps.
What happens after the home inspection?
Ontario’s guide lists four choices after the results come in: ask the seller to make repairs, accept the defect and deal with it, ask for a price adjustment, or not buy the home. Which one fits depends on your condition wording and your deadline.
Your agent should help you sort the report into three groups: items that change the price, items to fix after closing, and normal maintenance. Then they put your decision in writing before the condition expires. If you go ahead, keep the report. It becomes your repair plan and helps with the final walk-through before closing.
What if you cannot make your offer conditional on an inspection?
In competitive situations, a seller may refuse conditional offers. Ontario notes that some sellers order their own inspection before listing. A seller’s report can help, but the province says buyers should still get their own inspection.
Your options are to inspect before you offer, if the seller allows it, or to write a short, clear inspection condition. The wording matters more than most buyers think. See my guide to home inspection condition wording in Ontario.
Go to the inspection, bring your agent, and give the inspector room to work. Ask your agent to stay quiet during the walk-through and save their advice for afterward, when you can talk freely. The best inspection days I have seen end with a short list of real issues, a rough cost for each, and a calm decision made before the deadline.
What to do next
- Before you sign with an agent, ask whether they attend inspections and how they handle findings.
- Get two or three inspector quotes, and ask each for a sample report and proof of insurance.
- Book the inspection early in your condition period, and plan to attend the whole time.
- Write down your questions in advance, including what the inspector could not check.
- Meet your agent after the inspection to decide whether to waive, 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
Does my real estate agent need to be at the home inspection in Ontario?
No Ontario rule requires your agent to attend, but most buyers benefit when they do. A buyer’s agent who attends can manage access and the condition deadline, hear concerns directly from the inspector, and turn them into a repair request or price change. Ask any agent before you hire them whether attending inspections is part of their service.
Should I go to my own home inspection?
Yes. The Government of Ontario’s home buying guide tells buyers to be there for the inspection so they can ask questions and see issues first-hand. RECO also notes that many inspection companies encourage buyers to attend. A written report rarely shows how serious the inspector thinks a problem is, so hearing it in person helps you decide.
Can the seller be present during a home inspection in Ontario?
It depends on what the two sides arrange, but in my experience most GTA sellers leave and let the listing agent handle access. If the seller or listing agent stays, keep your comments about price and budget until after you leave. Anything you say during the inspection can reach the seller and weaken your negotiating position.
Who pays for the home inspection in Ontario, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer usually pays for the home inspection in Ontario, because it is done to protect the buyer. The Government of Ontario puts typical fees at $350 to $600, and higher for large homes or homes in poor condition. A seller may pay for a pre-listing inspection, but the province says buyers should still get their own.
Are home inspectors licensed in Ontario?
No. As of November 2026, the Government of Ontario says it has no mandatory requirements for home inspectors, and inspectors are not required by law to carry insurance. The province notes that many training programs and courses exist for inspectors. Before you hire one, ask for a sample report, proof of training, references and whether they carry errors-and-omissions insurance.
Can my real estate agent recommend a home inspector?
Yes, and RECO suggests buyers can ask their broker or salesperson for information about inspectors. Still check the inspector yourself, because home inspectors are not licensed in Ontario. Ask for a sample report, their training and accreditation, references and whether they carry insurance. The province also recommends getting quotes from more than one inspector.
Can a home inspection fail in Ontario?
No. The Ontario government says a home inspection is not a pass or fail test. It is a visual check of the home’s main systems and structure, and it does not test zoning or building code compliance. The report lists the condition of each system and any safety issues, and you decide what the findings mean for your purchase.
What should a buyer’s agent do after the home inspection?
After the inspection, a buyer’s agent should help you sort the findings into price-changing items, later repairs and routine upkeep, then put your decision in writing before the condition deadline. In Ontario your choices are to waive the condition, ask for repairs, ask for a price adjustment, or not buy the home.
Should my agent talk during the home inspection?
Your agent should ask practical questions about urgency and cost, but should not answer technical questions or play down the inspector’s findings. RECO notes that agents can spot obvious defects but underlying problems can exist, which is why a qualified inspector is hired. The inspector judges condition; your agent helps you decide what to do next.
Sources
- Government of Ontario: What to know before buying a home
- RECO: Home inspections
- RECO: Information for buyers
- CMHC: Homebuying Step by Step guide (2026)
- Scotiabank: Understand closing costs in Canada
- RBC: First-time homebuyers, don’t overlook these budget-busting costs
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.