The short answer is Y E S we always recommend having a home inspection by a qualified home inspector. They are an invaluable resource of information for many home buyers who do not possess the expert knowledge required to identify and assess the severity of potential problems with a home’s structural or mechanical components. Their assessments will not only assist the new home owners in understanding the current state of the property and its immediate needs; but they will also make recommendations to assist the home owner in developing a home maintenance program. This will keep the house and its’ mechanical systems in prime condition, protecting the value of the home. All of this knowledge is passed from the home inspector to the owners via an extensive report, outlining all major elements of the home, the current state of repair, immediate repairs required, as well as suggestions for on going maintenance.

The only time that we would agree you can get by without a home inspection is if your home in less than 2 years old. The reason for this is that many facets of your home are still covered under the home’s Tarion warranty. Tarion Warranty Corporation protects all new homes in Ontario with a mandatory warranty provided by the builder and guaranteed by Tarion. The warranty coverage is 7 years in length, with changes in what is covered occurring over the term of the warranty. In the first and second years the coverage protect against defects in work and materials. More specifically:

The one year warranty is provided by your builder and it requires that the home be:

• Constructed in a workmanlike manner and free from defects in material;

• Fit for habitation;

• Constructed in accordance with the Ontario Building Code; and

• Free of major structural defects.¹

The two year warranty is provided by your builder and covers:

• Water penetration through the basement or foundation walls;

• Defects in materials, including windows, doors and caulking, or defects in work that result in water penetration into the building envelope;

• Defects in work or materials in the electrical, plumbing and heating delivery and distribution systems;

• Defects in work or materials which result in the detachment, displacement or deterioration of exterior cladding (such as brickwork, aluminium or vinyl siding);

• Violations of the Ontario Building Code affecting health and safety (including, but not limited to, violations relating to fire safety and the structural adequacy of the home); and

• Major structural defects. ²

Years three through seven cover against major structural defects which are described as being:

• Any defect in work or materials that results in the failure of a load-bearing part of the home’s structure or materially and adversely affects its load-bearing function; or

• Any defect in work or materials that materially and adversely affects the use of the building as a home.³

It is the home owner’s responsibility to complete the required reports of required repairs prior to the end of the coverage period for them to be enforceable under the Tarion Warrantee. “Most issues related to the Statutory Warranty are resolved between builders and owners without the intervention of Tarion. When necessary, Tarion will help homeowners and builders interpret the limits of the Act, and will intercede to protect consumers when builders fail to honour warranty obligations”⁴

To learn more about Tarion Warranty coverage and find out if specific items are covered please CLICK HERE, to visit the Tarion website.