Question 1

Do I need an inspector at my PDI in St. Catharines?

Accepted Answer

You are not legally required to bring an inspector, but it is one of the most valuable steps you can take in a new home purchase in St. Catharines. The builder's PDI representative is employed by the builder — their role is to facilitate a smooth handover and process paperwork, not to advocate for your interests or help you find deficiencies. An independent ASADS inspector attends as your advocate: systematically documenting deficiencies in every room, ensuring each item is properly recorded on the builder's official PDI form before you sign, and capturing photographic evidence of every finding. First-time buyers without an inspector typically document 5–15 items; our inspectors typically document 30–80.

Question 2

What is covered under Tarion warranty in St. Catharines?

Accepted Answer

Tarion administers Ontario's mandatory new home warranty for all new homes built by registered builders in St. Catharines. The warranty provides: 1 year of coverage on workmanship and materials (items must be submitted on the PDI form or the 30-day and 1-year forms); 2 years on electrical, plumbing, and heating distribution systems, water penetration of the building envelope, and certain structural elements; and 7 years on major structural defects. Tarion also provides deposit protection up to $60,000. Warranty claims are only accepted if submitted in writing within the correct window — items discovered but not documented in time become the homeowner's responsibility, which is why independent inspection at every milestone is essential.

Question 3

How many deficiencies are typical in a St. Catharines new home PDI?

Accepted Answer

ASADS inspectors typically document 30–80 deficiency items in a new construction home in St. Catharines at PDI. The range depends on builder quality control, subcontractor management, and the complexity of the home. Common findings include: drywall nail pops, tape separation at wall-ceiling joints, window hardware that doesn't operate correctly, HRV duct balancing incomplete, exterior grading that pitches toward the foundation, caulking gaps at plumbing and electrical penetrations, garage-to-house fire separation issues, and minor HVAC commissioning deficiencies. Every item documented at PDI costs the builder to fix. Every item missed becomes your out-of-pocket expense after closing.

Question 4

How much does a PDI inspection cost in St. Catharines?

Accepted Answer

PDI inspection in St. Catharines starts from $349 for a standard single-family detached home. Townhomes and semi-detached homes typically run $299–$349. Condo unit PDIs are priced from $279. Larger custom homes or those with complex mechanical systems may be quoted higher based on size and scope. The inspection includes our inspector attending your full PDI walkthrough with the builder, systematic deficiency documentation with photos, and a same-day written report with all findings. Considering that each documented deficiency item costs the builder to fix — not you — the PDI inspection fee typically saves ten to fifty times its cost in avoided post-closing repairs.

Question 5

Can I use ASADS for Tarion 30-day and 1-year inspections too?

Accepted Answer

Yes — ASADS provides PDI, 30-day Tarion, and 1-year Tarion warranty inspections throughout St. Catharines. Booking all three milestones with the same inspector provides valuable continuity: your inspector knows the specific deficiencies documented at PDI, can verify which items were repaired by the builder, identify new deficiencies that have emerged in the first year, and ensure your warranty claim submissions are complete and correctly timed. The 30-day form is your first post-possession submission window; the 1-year form is your final opportunity for workmanship and material claims before the 2-year envelope and mechanical window begins. Missing either deadline has real financial consequences.

PDI Inspection St. Catharines | Pre-Delivery Inspection |...