Congrats! You’ve found a home you like and have put in an offer. If you’re realtor’s done it right, they’ll have made the offer contingent on a satisfactory home inspection. That makes a home inspection in Edmonton one of the most important protections you have in the transaction.
You need to ensure that the property is:
- Worth the price you’ve offered to pay,
- Identify pain points (like that mouldy hot tub in the back),
- Ensure you are not surprised by faults and flaws if you decide to go ahead with the purchase.
Now let’s talk about the 10 things to keep in mind when you’re getting a home inspection in Edmonton (or anywhere in Alberta, frankly)–and avoid the mistakes far too many homebuyers make.
What is Involved in a Home Inspection in Alberta?
“A home inspection is a comprehensive assessment of a property’s condition, aimed at giving you a clear understanding of its strengths and potential problem areas,” says Shounak Mehta, Founder of Juriscorp Law.
Typically, home inspections are carried out after you have placed an offer on the property, though you can ask for one before putting in an offer, too.
During the inspection, a licensed home inspector carefully evaluates the major systems and components of the house. This includes a thorough check of the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, furnace, air conditioning, insulation, appliances, and the driveway. Inspectors will also examine the interior and exterior structure, such as windows, doors, walls, and ceilings, to identify any signs of damage, wear, or safety concerns.
The inspection should provide insight into the home’s overall maintenance needs, too. For example, the inspector might point out areas that require immediate repair, suggest future upgrades.
Finally, at the end of the process, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining the inspector’s findings. This typically includes photos, notes, and recommendations, giving you a clear picture of the property’s condition.
Not all home inspections are alike.
Home inspections can be comprehensive covering all of the above and more, while others can be short 1-hour affairs that only look at the major items.
10 Things to Know About Home Inspections in Edmonton
| Importance | Common Mistakes | |
| 1. What is Involved in a Home Inspection? | A detailed check of the property’s systems and structures with a formal report of findings and recommendations. | Not understanding what the inspection covers and assuming cosmetic flaws are included. |
| 2. Never Skip the Home Inspection | Skipping an inspection can lead to costly surprises and safety risks—always make it a priority. | Waiving the inspection to speed up the buying process or save money. |
| 3. The Home Inspection Has to Be Satisfactory for You | The inspection must meet your expectations—don’t hesitate to speak up or reconsider the deal. | Accepting issues without understanding their impact or cost to fix. |
| 4. Do Not Use a Home Inspector Your Realtor Suggests | Choose an independent inspector to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure unbiased findings. | Relying solely on a realtor’s recommendation without doing independent research. |
| 5. Make Sure the Home Inspector is Licensed | In Alberta, inspectors must be licensed and provide a formal, detailed report for accountability. | Hiring an unlicensed inspector or accepting an informal verbal assessment. |
| 6. How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost? | Expect to pay $250–$600. Avoid inspections that take less than an hour—they’re likely incomplete. | Choosing the cheapest option without considering the quality of the inspection. |
| 7. Don’t Scrimp on Your Home Inspection | Thorough inspections prevent hidden issues; spending more upfront can save thousands later. | Opting for a quick or “lite” inspection and missing critical issues. |
| 8. Be Present at the Property | Attend the inspection to ask questions and gain insights, but avoid interrupting the inspector. | Skipping the inspection and relying solely on the report without seeing issues firsthand. |
| 9. Don’t Accept Flaws—Have the Seller Fix Them | Negotiate repairs or solutions for issues identified during the inspection to protect your investment. | Ignoring flaws and proceeding with the purchase without negotiating fixes. |
| 10. Negotiate the Price Down | Use inspection findings to justify a lower price if major issues remain unresolved. | Failing to leverage the inspection report to negotiate a fairer price. |
- The Home Inspection Gives You Control in the Transaction
A home inspection is one of your last chances to assess every last detail of the property–and you should approach it with a fine-toothed comb. If there are major issues or “deal breakers”, the inspection will warn you of these.
You can walk away from the offer without liability. That makes the home inspection a sort of “get out of a bad deal for free” card.
- The Home Inspection Has to Be Satisfactory for You
The home inspection is about your peace of mind and financial security. You’re the one investing in the home, so the results of the inspection need to work for you.
If something doesn’t sit right with you, don’t hesitate to speak up, ask for clarification, or even consider walking away.
- Do Not Use a Home Inspector Your Realtor/Real Estate Agency Suggests
Think of a home inspector as an extension of you. They have to be on your team, batting for you, fighting to get you the best information.
If you decide to work with a home inspector through your real estate agent or realtor, you’re entangling yourself in a potential conflict of interest (even if everyone is ethical).
In such a situation the home inspector has competing responsibilities–ensuring you are adequately informed, but still ensuring that the sale doesn’t fall through else the realtor will lose their commission.
Do your research and choose a licensed, reputable home inspector with strong reviews or recommendations from people you trust.
Source: Freepik
- Make Sure the Home Inspector is Licensed (and Will Provide a Formal Report)
In Alberta, home inspectors are required to have a licence issued by the provincial government. This regulation ensures that inspectors meet the necessary qualifications, including formal education, passing exams, and holding errors and omissions insurance.
A licensed home inspector must also provide a formal, detailed report at the end of the inspection that holds the inspector liable. Do not accept images on WhatsApp and scattered comments on emails as replacements for a thorough report.
- How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost in Alberta?
In Edmonton, home inspection costs typically range from $250 to $600, depending on the size and complexity of the property. Smaller homes or condos are usually on the lower end of the spectrum, while larger homes with more extensive systems and components may fall toward the higher end.
The fees for a home inspection in Edmonton reflects its thoroughness. A comprehensive inspection generally takes 3 to 5 hours. If someone offers to complete an inspection in 45 minutes or less, consider it a red flag.
- Don’t Scrimp on Your Home Inspection, Check Everything
It’s a tale we hear far too often: “We got a ‘lite’ home inspection because it was just $150, but the inspector missed that the boiler was a rental. Now we’re stuck making monthly payments in a 15-year rental contract with a company that offers dreadful service.’
That’s actually one of the better outcomes of a rushed home inspection. Aluminium wiring, water damage hidden behind the baseboard, and doors that won’t close because the structure’s sagging are far worse.
The fees for a home inspection in Edmonton pays for itself.
Consider this: you may save maybe $200 on a less-than-comprehensive inspection, but you may have to spend $20,0000 to have a warped main beam replaced because it was missed in the quick inspection.
Source: Freepik
- Try and Book a Home Inspection in Edmonton Before You Put in the Offer
This is a slightly contentious one for homebuyers because inspections can cost hundreds of dollars each time and slow you down in a market where listings are sold in just 22 days on average. However, it’s something you should factor into your homebuying costs.
Far too many buyers shortlist properties based on staged photos and a superficial walkaround with a realtor. A pre-offer home inspection accomplishes three things:
- It encourages you to use your energies more efficiently, rather than getting stuck in the “love-at-first-sight” cycle.
- It reveals the condition of the property, its fixtures and fittings, allowing you to evaluate the asking price far more critically.
- It demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer, not just another “chancer” who will waste their time.
- You Should be at the Property When the Home Inspection is Carried Out
Being present during the home inspection is highly recommended. It’s your chance to get a first-hand understanding of the property’s condition and learn about any potential issues directly from the inspector.
During the inspection, you can ask questions, request clarification, and gain insights into the home’s maintenance requirements, instead of waiting for the final report to do so.
That said, don’t crowd your inspector. They’ll be following a detailed checklist and having to pause and answer questions every few paces will get in their way.
- Don’t Just Accept Flaws the Inspection Reveals–Have the Seller Address Them
If you discover serious issues and proceed with the purchase without corrective steps, you make the home inspection a worthless song and dance.
Use the findings to negotiate with the seller.
You can request that repairs be made, debris to be removed from the property, and have any oddities addressed. Don’t hesitate to stand your ground and insist that the seller takes responsibility for addressing major issues.
- Don’t Be Shy About Negotiating the Price Down if There Are Unaddressed Issues
Flaws reduce the property’s value and should be reflected in what you’re paying. Negotiating isn’t about being confrontational—it’s about ensuring you’re getting a fair deal based on the property’s actual condition.
Unaddressed issues are your responsibility once you close the deal, so don’t shy away from advocating for adjustments to the price to reflect those future costs.
The findings of the home inspection are objective as well as subjective. Things like broken furnaces, for instance, are objective issues. Others, such as bright mauve walls that will need repainting, are more subjective in nature.
Regardless, they give you a position to negotiate down the price.
Negotiating isn’t about being confrontational. It ensures you’re getting a fair deal based on the property’s actual condition. Unaddressed issues are your responsibility once you close the deal, so don’t shy away from advocating for adjustments to the price to reflect those future costs.
You Need a Proactive, Knowledgeable Team Behind You
A realtor who can negotiate hard on your behalf, a home inspector who can arm you with valuable insight, and a team of lawyers who will protect your interests every step of the way–that’s the holy grail of strong homebuying teams.
It’s why homebuyers and sellers in Edmonton turn to us for their property. We vigorously protect your interests while helping you maximize the value of your property.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your future home, understand the legal process involved, and learn about vital protections you should insist on. We handle all paperwork related to closing deals, mortgages and financing, insurance, and more.