Read what the home inspector couldn't inspect.
Before you count the repairs in a home inspection report, read what the inspector couldn't inspect.
An item that wasn't checked isn't the same as an item that was checked and found to be in good condition. That difference matters when you're about to spend money on a home.
The report is not a pass or fail certificate
Ontario describes a home inspection as a visual examination of the home's condition and structure. It is not a pass or fail test, a zoning review or a building code assessment. Inspectors cannot find everything, and they do not guarantee the home's condition. A roof covered with snow is one example of something they may be unable to inspect. Read Ontario's home inspection guidance.
So don't reduce a long report to a sentence saying the house passed. Read the observations, the limitations and the recommendations together.
If the report says an area wasn't accessible, ask why. Was there a locked door? Was access blocked? Was it unsafe? Then ask what remains unknown and whether another visit or a specialist is needed. You don't have to guess what the wording means.
A roof photograph is not the whole answer
A picture can show what was visible. It doesn't explain what was out of view or how the roof was examined. Ask the inspector to explain the method used and any limits on their observations.
The same approach works for other parts of the home. When a concern is flagged, ask what the inspector observed, what they could not establish and who should assess it next. An electrical question may need an electrician. A structural question may need an engineer. The inspector can explain the recommended referral.
Don't turn an uncertain observation into either a diagnosis or reassurance. Get the appropriate professional's answer before deciding how much the issue matters to your purchase.
Use the inspection time to ask questions
RECO encourages buyers to consider the benefits of an inspection and notes that many inspection companies welcome buyers attending and asking questions. It also warns that a seller's property information statement reflects their own knowledge; a seller or Realtor may not know about underlying defects. See RECO's buyer guidance.
Before booking, ask for a sample report and the written service agreement. Ontario recommends checking the inspector's relevant experience, training, references and insurance. Ask about experience with the kind of home you're considering, not just how many inspections they've done.
After the inspection, make a short follow up list. For each unresolved item, write down the question, the person who needs to answer it and the date you need that answer. That is more useful than forwarding the entire report and hoping someone notices the same concern you did.
Tell your Realtor about the outstanding questions and the deadline in your agreement. If you're considering a repair request, a price change or a decision about an inspection condition, involve your Realtor and lawyer. The report supplies information. It doesn't decide the terms of your contract.
A home doesn't need to be flawless to be worth considering. You do need to understand what you've learned, what remains uncertain and what further work is needed. This article is general buyer education, not an inspection, repair estimate or recommendation to proceed with a particular property.
Sources and photograph
The linked Ontario consumer guidance, updated July 28, 2026, and RECO's home inspection page were checked on October 12, 2026. This is practical education, not a new rule announcement.
Illustrative asphalt roof photograph by FASTILY, taken April 17, 2017, used unchanged under CC BY-SA 4.0. It is not a SirLuckHomes listing, an inspection result or a diagnosis of the pictured roof.
