Why Every Home Buyer Should Get a Home Inspection Before Purchase

1) Uncover hidden and costly problems

A home may look perfect on the surface, but professional inspectors know where to look for trouble:

•     Structural issues such as foundation cracks, roof damage, or sagging floors.
•     Moisture problems that could lead to mold, rot, or pest infestations.
•     Aging or unsafe systems like outdated wiring, failing plumbing, or inefficient HVAC units.

    These problems often cost thousands of dollars to repair, and without an inspection you risk inheriting them without knowing.

2) Protect your safety

Inspections can reveal hazards that aren’t visible during a casual walkthrough:

•     Faulty electrical systems that could spark fires.
•     Gas leaks or improper venting that could lead to carbon monoxide buildup.
•     Mold growth in hidden areas that can cause serious health issues.

    Identifying these risks before moving in ensures you and your family are safe.

3) Gain negotiating power

An inspection report is a valuable bargaining tool. If problems are found, you can:

•     Request that the seller repair them before closing.
•     Negotiate a lower purchase price to offset repair costs.
•     Ask for credits or concessions at closing.

    Without an inspection, you lose this leverage.

4) Spot unpermitted or poor-quality renovations

Many homeowners renovate without permits or use unqualified labor. An inspector can spot telltale signs of unpermitted work or substandard craftsmanship. This matters because:

•     You could be forced to correct code violations.
•     Non-compliant work may reduce your home’s resale value.
•     Safety issues from amateur work may put occupants at risk.

5) Plan future maintenance and budgeting

Even if no major issues are found, a good inspection tells you:

•     The remaining life expectancy of systems like the roof, furnace, or water heater.
•     Which maintenance tasks will be needed soon.
•     Which upgrades could improve efficiency and comfort.

    This lets you budget for repairs before they become emergencies.

6) Meet insurance and financing requirements

Some lenders and insurers require certain issues to be addressed before they will approve your mortgage or policy. Without an inspection, these problems could surface after you’ve committed financially, delaying or jeopardizing the purchase.

7) Reduce legal and financial risk

In most regions, home buyers are expected to conduct due diligence before purchase. If you skip an inspection and discover defects later, you may have little legal recourse against the seller. An inspection creates a documented record of the home’s condition at the time of sale.

A home inspection is one of the least expensive yet most powerful safeguards you can use when buying a property. It protects your health, your wallet, and your legal position, while giving you critical knowledge about the place you’re about to call home. Skipping it is like buying a car without lifting the hood — you might get lucky, but the risk of an expensive surprise is too high.

If you are looking for a home inspector in Ajax, Pickering, Durham Region or the GTA consider contacting moffatinspections.ca.

Why? Because that old house may look good in photographs, but guaranteed it is not in perfect condition. The walls and roof might give you clues that it isn't in good shape, but a home inspection will tell you more about the foundation, wiring and plumbing.

How to Budget for Repairs After a Home Inspection

A home inspection is one of the most important steps in the buying process — it gives you a clear picture of your future home’s condition. But once you have that report in hand, the next challenge is figuring out how much to budget for repairs. Here’s a practical, step-by-step approach.

1. Separate Issues by Urgency

Not every problem needs fixing immediately. Go through the inspection report and sort repairs into three categories:

    Immediate & Safety-Related – Faulty wiring, gas leaks, roof leaks, structural damage.

    Near-Term – HVAC system at the end of its life, water heater showing signs of wear, small plumbing leaks.

    Long-Term Maintenance – Cosmetic updates, minor landscaping issues, older appliances still working fine.

2. Get Multiple Estimates

Inspection reports usually describe issues but don’t include costs. Contact at least two qualified contractors for each repair so you can get an accurate price range. Prices can vary widely depending on location, materials, and labor availability.

3. Add a Contingency Buffer

Unexpected problems often arise once repairs begin. Add 10–20% to your repair budget to cover hidden issues — for example, opening a wall to fix a small leak may reveal mold or structural damage.

4. Prioritize by Impact on Value

Focus first on repairs that:

    Protect the home’s structure and safety.

    Prevent further damage (like stopping water intrusion).

    Improve resale value or curb appeal.

5. Consider DIY vs. Professional Work

Some repairs (like painting or replacing cabinet hardware) can be done yourself to save money. But safety-critical work (like electrical, gas, or structural repairs) should be handled by licensed professionals.

6. Use Negotiation to Offset Costs

If you haven’t closed yet, your inspection report is a powerful bargaining tool. You can:

    Ask the seller to make repairs before closing.

    Request a price reduction equal to estimated repair costs.

    Ask for a credit at closing so you can handle the repairs yourself.

7. Create a Timeline

Spread out non-urgent repairs over months or years to avoid straining your budget. This also gives you time to save and shop for the best contractors and materials.

Bottom Line:

A thorough home inspection by a professional (eg. www.moffatinspections.ca) is just the starting point. By organizing repairs by urgency, getting accurate estimates, and building in a contingency, you can protect your finances, keep your home safe, and plan improvements at a comfortable pace.

And if your home is older there's going to be more frequent repairs needed, and likely more expensive repairs. Just look at the roof and the wall on the house below. It is going to need a long list of repairs, and due to the design of the roof they need to be done by a professional.