Home inspection cost in Ontario usually lands in the mid-hundreds of dollars for a house, less for a condo, and more for a big, old or unusual property. This guide sets out Jim Ward's own published prices first, then the figures national and government sources publish, with their dates, so you can compare like with like. All prices are in Canadian dollars. Published figures change over time, and none of them is a quote for your home.
Complete Home Inspections' prices
These are the prices on Jim's own price table:
- Condo inspection: $450, including HST
- Home inspection, up to 1,800 sq ft: $500, including HST
- Home inspection, over 1,800 sq ft: call (priced by size)
- Commercial inspection: call
- Pre-listing inspection: call for pricing
- Water sample: call for pricing
- Water flow: call for pricing
Every inspection includes a full-colour report, emailed, with all the images of your inspection. Jim says he keeps his overhead low so he can give clients a very competitive price. There's also a discount for police, fire and EMS; ask about it when you call.
His service area covers Brant, Oxford, Middlesex, Elgin, Norfolk and Haldimand counties. Inspections outside it are done at an adjusted cost, agreed before the inspection is scheduled, so there are no surprises on the day.
What other published sources report
How much is a home inspection elsewhere? Here's what we found when we checked these sources on November 9, 2026:
- CMHC says a home inspection costs around $500, in its guide How much will my home really cost?
- HomeStars' Toronto cost guide (updated August 21, 2026) reports an average of approximately $492, with prices from $350 to $600. It breaks that down by type: condos and apartments $275 to $400, townhouses $350 to $500, detached homes $400 to $600, and large or older homes starting around $550 to $700 and up.
- HomeStars' Hamilton cost guide (updated August 21, 2026) reports a typical range of $350 to $500, depending on the size and location of the property.
- The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada lists home inspection fees among a buyer's one-time closing costs, and tells buyers to be prepared to spend between 1.5% and 4% of the purchase price on those costs in total.
Read third-party ranges as a rough guide only. They mix different cities, property types and package sizes, and they don't always say whether HST is included. With HST at 13% in Ontario, that alone can move a price by more than $50, so ask any inspector whether a quoted price includes it. Jim's two fixed prices do.
What changes the price
Size
More square footage means more rooms, more windows, more roof and more mechanical equipment to look at. Jim's price table draws the line at 1,800 sq ft: up to that size it's $500 including HST, and above it he prices by size, so call him with the square footage. HomeStars' Toronto breakdown shows the same pattern, with condos at the low end and large homes at the top.
Age and condition
Older homes tend to take longer: older wiring, galvanized supply lines, past renovations and more places for water to get in. HomeStars' Hamilton guide notes that older homes may need more detailed inspections. Newer isn't automatic, either. Jim has photographed a foundation crack and R-12 attic insulation (where R-40 was expected) in four-year-old homes, and his own note is that doing a house properly takes at least three hours.
Type of property
A condo unit is a smaller job than a detached house, which is why Jim's condo inspection has its own price. At the other end, commercial inspections are quoted by phone; Jim's commercial work also looks at windows, elevators, fire protection systems and water lines, scheduled to limit interruptions to the business. He also has experience with mobile homes, cottages and multi-residential buildings, so mention the property type when you ask for a price.
Add-on tests
This is where totals grow. HomeStars' Toronto guide lists radon testing at around $200 to $300, a sewer line scope at $250 to $400, thermal imaging at $100 to $250 and a mould inspection at $250 to $400. Its Hamilton guide puts a WETT inspection for wood-burning appliances at $150 to $250.
Jim's published list includes two add-ons, both call for pricing: a water sample and a water flow test for properties on a well (see well water testing). The other tests aren't on his price list. If you need one, ask Jim whether he covers it, or book a specialist.
Distance
Inside his six counties, Jim's prices are as listed. Outside them, the adjusted cost is agreed before the inspection is booked. If the property is a cottage or a farmhouse at the edge of the map, say so when you first get in touch, so the adjusted cost is settled before anything is booked.
Who usually pays
On a purchase, the buyer normally books and pays for the inspection as part of a conditional offer. A seller who wants to know about problems before listing pays for a pre-listing inspection, which Jim prices by phone. Landlords and long-time owners sometimes book a check-up instead; see rental and maintenance inspections.
Comparing prices fairly
Two quotes $100 apart may not be buying the same thing. Before you pick on price alone, compare:
- The report. Ask for a sample. Jim's sample report is on his site, and you get the report the same day.
- What's included. Find out which systems are covered and which tests cost extra.
- Tax. Confirm whether HST is in the number.
- Independence. Under the InterNACHI Code of Ethics Jim follows, he takes no commissions, rebates or referral payments from real estate agents or anyone with a financial interest in the sale.
For the full list of what's checked, see what a home inspection covers.
Getting a price from Jim
The fastest route is the quote form. It asks for the property address, the square footage, whether you're working with an agent, and whether you're ready to book or just have questions. Jim serves Tillsonburg and Oxford, Brantford, Norfolk County and the counties around them, and he's available 7 days a week.
Questions people ask
How much is a home inspection in Ontario?
CMHC puts a home inspection at around $500. HomeStars' Toronto guide (updated August 21, 2026) reports an average of approximately $492, and its Hamilton guide a typical $350 to $500. Figures change and aren't quotes.
How much does Complete Home Inspections charge?
$450 for a condo and $500 for a home up to 1,800 sq ft, both including HST. Larger homes, commercial, pre-listing, water sample and water flow are call for pricing.
Do Jim's prices include HST?
Yes. The $450 condo price and the $500 price for a home up to 1,800 sq ft both include HST. For the call-for-pricing services, ask when you call.
Why does a bigger or older house cost more to inspect?
There's more to look at and it takes longer. Jim prices homes over 1,800 sq ft by size, and published guides such as HomeStars' show large and older homes at the top of the range.
Is water testing included in the price of a home inspection?
No. Water quality testing isn't part of the InterNACHI standard home inspection. Jim offers a water sample and a water flow test as separate services, both call for pricing.