menu

How to conduct a new home inspection - Exterior

Date Posted
04 July 2014
[caption id="attachment_661" align="alignleft" width="300"] (Photo credit: StockMonkeys.com/Flickr)[/caption] When you buy a preconstruction home, you've committed to a home before you've seen it and before it's even been built. You get a chance to live in a brand spanking new place from the floors to the appliances, but this doesn't mean there won't be any issues. The Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) is a crucial step for homeowners to make sure the construction work is exactly what they were expecting in a home and it meets their expectations. Also, if something is unfinished, missing or damaged before you've moved in, note it in the PDI form and it's the builder's responsibility to fix it. In a previous blog post, we discussed what you should be on the lookout for when inspecting your home's systems, but you should carefully examine your home's exterior too. Many of these aspects applies to a house, but if you're a condo owner and your unit comes with a balcony, check that the space is safe for use, whether it's testing the railing or looking for any cracks in the concrete. If your condo has a common area, the condo board typically handles the PDI, but if you do see any damage in these areas, it's best to notify the board.What to look forLandscaping around your home beautifies your space, but there's also a very functional element to how the ground is sloped. Your property should have a shallow slope leading away from the house to keep rain and melted snow flowing away from your basement and towards the city's drainage. One way to test this is pour water close to your home's foundation and see which where it travels. If the water pools in one area or flows towards your walls, then your grading is either flat or heading in the wrong direction. The city approves any grading changes and you'll want to alert builders or the municipality of this issue before it costs you thousands of dollars in water damage repairs in the future. Swales are found between property lines and they assist with your property's drainage. They're another shallow hill that slopes towards the city's drainage and redirects the flow of water or melting snow towards the drains. If your property has swales, you'll want to check that they're an even, uniform slope. Around your home, your green space is typically made up of sod or already planted grass, which homeowners are responsible for its maintenance. If you're moving into a new subdivision, there's a chance it hasn't been done yet, and if so, make sure it's detailed on the PDI form. Windows and doors can make all the difference between whether your home is well heated or cooled since if they're not caulked properly, air could be escaping from crevices. The window or door caulking on the home's exterior should seal any cracks between the door/window and the frames of the house's walls. When a visitor approaches your home, the exterior trim is one of the first aspects they'll see. Check that the trim is installed securely since it's one of your home's first impressions and it can even affect the value of your property. The bricks hold your structure together and you'll want to make sure there are weep holes left to let moisture escape. Check that these holes aren't blocked or sealed. And don't forget about the shingles and the garage. Proper sealing of your garage's walls and ceilings will keep your home safe from fumes. If you've bought a newly built home, you could be eligible for an HST rebate. Rebate4U prioritizes providing our clients with the most professional and quality service in obtaining rebates for their new and renovated homes. We are proud to offer our clients the most personal and attentive service, and we make sure that all of our clients are 100% satisfied.

Contact Us

Rebate Calculator

Please enter the total value of your renovation including tax.

Total construction cost
(including taxes)
$
Search Our Blogs

More of our Blogs

08 August 2025

Do I Qualify for the HST New Housing Rebate If I am Building a New Home

If you're getting a home built in Ontario, you could qualify for the HST new housing rebate and get back some of the HST you paid to have it built. The rebate is extremely useful, but it is provided on the basis of specific rules. Having an idea of the rules prevents you from losing thousands of dollars in rebates. For professional guidance on your application, contact the professionals at...

View Full Post
24 July 2025

What to Do If Your HST Rebate Application Is Denied

The HST new housing rebate can offer substantial savings for homeowners in Ontario, but not all applications are automatically approved by the Canada Revenue Agency. In some cases, homeowners receive a denial from the CRA after submitting their paperwork. If your HST rebate in Ontario has been denied, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ineligible; instead, it may just mean that further...

View Full Post
14 July 2025

Why The CRA May Ask You to Pay Back Your HST Rebate in Ontario

The HST rebate in Ontario has helped thousands of homeowners across the province recover part of the Harmonized Sales Tax paid on new home purchases, substantial renovations, or new condo purchases. However, once you receive the rebate, it may not always be final. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may request that you repay it under certain circumstances or reduce the amount you receive in the first...

View Full Post
19 June 2025

Why Most Ontario Homeowners Miss the HST Rebate After Renovating

When starting on a significant home remodel, Ontario residents usually put design, contractors, and budget at the top of their list, but leave behind a significant savings opportunity: the HST Rebate on Home Renovations. This government program will return thousands of dollars to eligible homeowners, but few claim it or are denied because of costly mistakes that could have been avoided....

View Full Post
05 June 2025

Can You Claim the HST Rebate if You Rented Out Your Condo?

Purchasing a new condo in Ontario is full of benefits, do you know that you may be leaving up to thousands of dollars on the table if you don't make use of the HST rebate for new condo purchases? This rebate program is one of the least-used money-saving incentives available to homeowners. Whether you're buying as an investor or as a primary residence, understanding how the HST rebate in...

View Full Post
29 May 2025

What is the Timeline for Receiving the HST Rebate on Home Renovations

Home renovations can be a significant investment, but for many Ontario homeowners, the HST rebate for renovations offers financial relief. Through the Rebate program, homeowners who substantially renovate or rebuild their homes may be eligible for a portion of the HST paid. Understanding the timeline for receiving the HST rebate in Ontario is essential for managing your renovation budget. If you...

View Full Post
06 May 2025

Why Can't You Apply for the HST Rebate in Ontario When Flipping Properties

The Ontario HST rebate was created to provide relief to homeowners purchasing new or extensively renovated homes as private residences. Similarly, the Condo HST rebate provides relief to those purchasing new condominiums with the intention of occupying the units. The majority of real estate investors are surprised to learn that they are eligible for neither rebate when selling the properties. In...

View Full Post
22 April 2025

How Co-Owning a Condo Could Impact Your HST Rebate Eligibility

Because prices for properties in the province continue to increase, many people are turning to condo co-ownerships as a means of joining the market. But, if you wish to share ownership, it is worthwhile to understand what this can mean to your HST rebate on a new condo purchase. The Ontario HST rebate was designed to help save you on some of the cost of your purchase, but the rules can be...

View Full Post
07 April 2025

Do Rental Property Owners Qualify for an HST Rebate on Renovations?

For Ontario rental property investors, tax savings can be significant in the total cost of property improvements. Perhaps the largest tax incentive available is the HST rebate in Ontario, which allows property owners to recover a portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). However, many landlords wonder if their investment properties qualify for the HST rebate for renovations. Details of the...

View Full Post
27 March 2025

Why Property Title Affects HST Rebate Eligibility in Ontario

When purchasing a new house or investment property, most Ontario purchasers expect to receive the HST rebate in Ontario to assist with some of the costs. Not all applicants will be eligible, however, and one of the most frequently missed aspects is how title to the property is held. Title to the property is a critical element in determining whether you can successfully claim the HST new housing...

View Full Post
Homeowners, obtain an HST rebate of up to $30,000 today!
get started

Why Choose Rebate4U?

Experienced Specialists

For over 10 years, the Rebate4U team has the knowledge and expertise to help residential property owners throughout Ontario successfully apply for regional HST Rebate programs.

Free Consultations

Our specialists offer complimentary consultations where we review your eligibility to determine whether you qualify for an Ontario HST Rebate so you can proceed with your application confidently.

Millions Awarded

We are able to expertly navigate rebate opportunities, staying up-to-date on the most recent rebate developments and changes in the HST Rebate program to maximize returns. To date, we’ve successfully acquired millions of dollars for clients in total.

Customer Commitment

The Rebate4U team is dedicated to delivering the highest level of customer service, we are here to answer your questions and help you navigate the intracises of your application easily and efficiently.

Cashing-In on the HST Rebate is as Easy as 1-2-3
Contact REBATE4U

Set up a quick, free consultation with the Rebate4U team to explore your HST Rebate options.

COLLECT DOCUMENTS

Submit your required documents to Rebate4U, and we'll handle your application.

GET YOUR Money BACK

Apply for the rebate and receive thousands in rebates in just weeks with Rebate4U.

FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY

We are proud to be working with top Canadian companies

Recent Posts view all posts

Do I Qualify for the HST New Housing Rebate If I am Building a New Home

If you're getting a home built in Ontario, you could qualify for the HST new housing rebate and get back some of the HST you paid to have it built. The rebate is extremely useful, but it is provided on the basis of specific rules. Having an idea of the rules prevents you f...

Read More

What to Do If Your HST Rebate Application Is Denied

The HST new housing rebate can offer substantial savings for homeowners in Ontario, but not all applications are automatically approved by the Canada Revenue Agency. In some cases, homeowners receive a denial from the CRA after submitting their paperwork. If your HST rebate in...

Read More
We Are Based

Rebate4U
101-3185 Bathurst St
Toronto ON
M6A 2B2

1-800-610-4510
info@rebate4u.ca

Connect With Us
Error...

Please, enter a valid value

We are sorry...

But the values you entered are invalid

Rebate

In celebration of our 3 year anniversary at Rebate4u Inc, we have decided to reduce our fee structure for all new home and renovation rebates including the New housing rental rebate.  

Don't waste your time looking for anyone else to take care of this because we will not be under sold.
Please fill out the form below or call us at 1-800-610-4510

Please, enter a valid value