The nine system categories
A standards-compliant Calgary home inspection covers roofing, exterior and site drainage, structure and foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, insulation and ventilation, interior, and built-in appliances. Each system is evaluated against InterNACHI and CAHPI standards of practice.
The inspector documents condition, age, defects, safety concerns, and end-of-service-life items. The deliverable is a photo-rich digital report with prioritized findings — not a pass/fail.
Calgary-specific items that get extra attention
Calgary's climate, soils, and housing-stock eras create predictable risks. Poly-B plumbing in 1985–1997 builds, Kitec in some 1995–2007 homes, aluminum branch wiring in 1965–1976 homes, expansive clay soil foundation movement, ice damming on shallow pitches, attic frost from interior air leakage, knob-and-tube in inner-city Mount Royal/Mission/Sunnyside homes, and negative grading after winter freeze-thaw all warrant explicit documentation.
What the inspection is not
It is not a code-compliance review, a warranty, or a guarantee against future failure. It does not see behind finishes, into wall cavities, or into the future. Intermittent issues that don't present on inspection day are outside scope. This is exactly why findings are prioritized — so you know which items actually drive your decision.
How findings are prioritized
Findings are grouped into safety (act now), major repair (negotiate or budget), deferred maintenance (1–5 year budget), and monitor (track over time). Cosmetic and informational items round out the report but rarely move a deal. Use the priority structure to drive negotiation and your first five-year maintenance plan.
Tools beyond visual
A modern Calgary inspection includes thermal imaging on every job (used to flag thermal anomalies, missing insulation, and moisture), moisture meters on suspect areas, gas and CO measurement, and combustion-spillage testing on natural-draft appliances. These augment the visual inspection — they do not replace it.
