Question 1

Should I inspect a new home in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. New homes in Ontario are not defect-free — they simply have defects covered by warranty, but only if you document them within the correct Tarion deadline windows. Builder production timelines generate real deficiencies: attic insulation gaps, improperly balanced HRVs, grading that drains toward the foundation, nail pops, and incomplete caulking are common. An independent inspector at your PDI typically documents 30–80 items the builder is contractually required to fix. Missing that window means paying out of pocket for corrections after your warranty expires.

Question 2

When is the best time to inspect?

Accepted Answer

There are three critical windows for new home inspection in Ontario. First: before your PDI, so your independent inspector attends alongside you and the builder's rep, documenting deficiencies on the official form. Second: the 30-day form deadline, which is your first post-possession claim window for items that were missed or have emerged. Third: the 1-year anniversary form, your final opportunity to submit workmanship and material claims before the second-year envelope and mechanical warranty window opens. Each window is time-sensitive and non-negotiable under Ontario's Tarion program.

Question 3

What is Tarion warranty?

Accepted Answer

Tarion administers Ontario's mandatory new home warranty program, which applies to all new homes built by registered builders in Ontario and across the province. Coverage includes: 1 year on workmanship and materials; 2 years on electrical, plumbing, heating, water penetration, and building envelope defects; and 7 years on major structural defects. Tarion also provides deposit protection up to $60,000. Claims must be submitted in writing within the correct warranty window — items missed at each deadline become the homeowner's financial responsibility. Our inspectors help you identify and document every warranted deficiency before each submission window closes.

Question 4

What deficiencies do you commonly find in new Ontario builds?

Accepted Answer

The most frequent deficiencies our inspectors document in new Ontario homes include: negative grading that drains toward the foundation (a precursor to basement moisture problems), attic insulation coverage gaps along eaves and rim joists, HRV ductwork that is unbalanced or improperly connected, drywall nail pops and tape separation at wall-ceiling joints, window weatherstripping and hardware operation failures, exterior caulking gaps at penetrations, and garage-to-house fire separation deficiencies. HVAC commissioning issues — particularly improperly set furnaces and HRV fresh air intakes — are among the most consequential and frequently missed.

New Construction/PDI Inspection Ontario | Tarion Warranty