Pre-Delivery Inspections

A Pre-Delivery Inspection provides an opportunity to identify visible construction defects, damaged materials, incomplete finishes, and improperly installed components before moving into your new home. Even newly constructed homes can have problems involving roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, insulation, and ventilation. An experienced home inspector can help identify concerns that buyers might overlook and ensure they are documented for discussion with the builder.

New homes in Ontario are generally covered by a Tarion-administered new home warranty, which provides protection against certain construction defects and deficiencies. Homeowners should understand their warranty coverage, reporting deadlines, and the importance of documenting concerns. A Pre-Delivery Inspection provides an early opportunity to identify visible problems and record them on the builder's PDI Form. However, the PDI Form does not replace the separate warranty claim process, so homeowners should follow the applicable Tarion procedures and deadlines.

Ontario's new home warranty system has been the subject of significant criticism and government reviews concerning consumer protection, accountability, and construction quality. Organizations such as Canadians for Properly Built Homes have advocated for stronger protections for purchasers of newly constructed homes.

In a 2016 independent review, Justice J. Douglas Cunningham reported that although Tarion had the authority to inspect freehold homes during construction, it had chosen not to exercise that authority. His 2017 final report recommended replacing Tarion's monopoly with a competitive warranty-provider system and separating builder regulation from warranty administration.

Although Ontario subsequently transferred builder regulation to the Home Construction Regulatory Authority, Tarion remains the province's mandatory new home warranty provider. These findings demonstrate why buyers should not assume that warranty coverage guarantees a defect-free home. An independent Pre-Delivery Inspection can help identify visible construction deficiencies and document concerns before possession.

Proper documentation is an important part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection process. Buyers should ensure that visible damage, incomplete work, and construction deficiencies are clearly recorded on the builder's PDI Form. Photographs can provide additional evidence of concerns identified during the walkthrough. Keeping copies of inspection reports, photographs, and correspondence with the builder helps homeowners track outstanding repairs and provides valuable information if warranty issues arise. Deficiencies that remain unresolved should also be reported through the appropriate Tarion warranty claim process within the required deadlines.

Following the Pre-Delivery Inspection, homeowners should review the documented deficiencies with their builder and establish which items require correction. Some repairs may be completed before possession, while others may need to be addressed afterward. Buyers should retain copies of their PDI Form, photographs, and inspection findings, and monitor the progress of outstanding repairs. Any unresolved or newly discovered defects should be reported through the appropriate Tarion warranty submission process within the required deadlines. A thorough inspection and proper follow-up can help protect your investment in your new home.

Important: Homeowners should notify their builder in writing about construction defects and submit the appropriate warranty claim forms to Tarion within the required deadlines. Simply reporting deficiencies to the builder or recording them on the Pre-Delivery Inspection Form does not replace a formal warranty submission. Failure to follow the required notification and submission procedures may result in a claim being denied or the loss of eligibility for Tarion's assistance.