Is a home inspection a condition of sale in Alberta?
A home inspection is optional in Alberta. It becomes part of the deal only if you write it into your offer. Here is how inspection conditions work and what happens if issues come up.
· 4 min read
Service
Condo inspection
Your unit, its systems and the common areas we can access.
Who it’s for
Anyone buying an apartment-style condo or a townhouse in a condominium corporation.
What's included
We inspect
- Inside the unitWalls, ceilings, floors, doors, closets and built-in appliances.
- Windows and patio doorsOperation, seals, signs of condensation or leaks.
- PlumbingFixtures, visible supply and drain lines, shut-offs and the water heater if in-suite.
- ElectricalThe unit panel, outlets, GFCI protection and visible wiring.
- Heating and coolingIn-suite furnace, fan coil or baseboards, and air conditioning when the weather allows.
- VentilationBathroom and kitchen exhaust, and dryer venting.
- Balcony or patioSurface, railings, drainage and the wall and door around it.
- Shared areas we can accessA visual look at hallways, parkade, storage and other common areas we are allowed into.
Not included
- The whole buildingThe roof, building envelope and shared systems are the condo corporation’s; the reserve fund study covers them.
- Reviewing condo documentsWe point out what to look for; your lawyer or a document review service reviews them.
- Opening walls or moving furnitureThe inspection is visual and non-invasive.
- Mould, radon or asbestos testingSpecialists can test for these if the report suggests it.
How it works
Step 1: Send your details
Tell us about the property, your timing and any condition deadline.
Step 2: We confirm
We reply to confirm the date, the price and what the inspection covers.
Step 3: Inspection day
We go through the home system by system. Join us for the walkthrough.
Step 4: Your report
A clear report with photos and next steps, and answers to your questions.
Condo inspection: common questions
Do you inspect condos?
Yes. A condo inspection covers your unit and its systems, plus the shared areas we are given access to. The condo documents cover the rest of the building, so we point out what to look for in them.
What condo documents should I review before buying?
Ask for the reserve fund study and plan, recent financial statements, board meeting minutes, the bylaws and an estoppel certificate. They show what the building needs, how it is funded and whether special assessments are coming.
How long does a home inspection take?
Plan for about two to four hours for a typical detached house, and less for most condos. Larger or older homes, and homes with a suite, take longer. Leave time at the end for the walkthrough and your questions.
What does a home inspection not cover?
An inspection is visual. It does not open walls, test for mould, radon or asbestos, scope sewer lines, or check that the home meets building code. If we see signs that one of these is worth doing, the report says so.
Related reading
What does a condo inspection cover in Edmonton?
A condo inspection looks at your unit and the systems that serve it. The condo documents and reserve fund study cover the rest of the building. Here is how the two fit together.
· 5 min read
What does a home inspection include in Alberta?
The parts of the house an Alberta home inspection covers, what the contract and report must contain, and what sits outside the inspection.
· 5 min read
Where we offer this
Edmonton and the surrounding communities.
- EdmontonCity
- St. AlbertCity · about 25 min away
- Sherwood ParkSpecialized municipality · about 25 min away
- Spruce GroveCity · about 35 min away
- Stony PlainTown · about 40 min away
- LeducCity · about 35 min away
- BeaumontCity · about 30 min away
- Fort SaskatchewanCity · about 35 min away
- MorinvilleTown · about 40 min away
- DevonTown · about 40 min away
Buying or selling a home in the Edmonton area?
Get on the priority list and we'll contact you to confirm availability and a quote.