Typical on-site time by property type
Detached homes built post-1990 under 2,500 sq ft typically run 2.5–3 hours. Older or larger detached homes run 3–4 hours. Condos under 1,200 sq ft run 1.5–2 hours. Acreages with detached structures, wells, septic systems, and outbuildings can take a full day.
What extends the inspection
Age of the home (more legacy systems to evaluate), finished basements with limited mechanical access, complex roofs, multiple furnaces or hot water tanks, detached suites, sewer-scope add-ons, and any item that prompts further investigation. Accessibility constraints — stored boxes around the panel, locked outbuildings — also add time.
When the report is delivered
Industry standard for Calgary in 2026 is same-day or next-morning delivery of a photo-rich digital report. If a report is handed to you at the end of the inspection in 15 minutes, it almost certainly lacks the depth to support a real buying decision — quality reports are written off-site after evaluation is complete.
What you can do on inspection day
Plan a 60-minute window for the walkthrough at the end — don't book back-to-back commitments. If you're driving from work, build in extra time for Calgary traffic, particularly if the property is in the south or northwest quadrants during commute hours.
