Tarion PDI & 30-Day Inspections

Buying a new home in Ontario is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with a complex set of deadlines. The Tarion Warranty program is designed to protect you, but the burden of proof lies with the homeowner. If a defect isn’t documented and submitted on time, you may be left paying for the builder’s mistake out of your own pocket.

At Key Home Inspection, we provide professional oversight at every stage of your new home’s first year, ensuring your Tarion forms are accurate, technical, and complete.

The PDI is your first formal opportunity to view your home in its completed state. Typically conducted with a builder’s representative, this walk-through happens before you take possession.

Why bring a professional?

Builders often move quickly during a PDI. We provide a second set of expert eyes to identify:

• Damaged finishes (scratched glass, dented floors, or chipped cabinetry).
• Incomplete mechanical items or missing seasonal work.
• Proper installation of fixtures and appliances.

We comprehensively evaluate all major components of the home to ensure your new build meets professional standards. Our detailed assessment includes:

• Core Systems: Mechanical systems, plumbing, and electrical.

• Exterior & Envelope: Roofing and exterior finishes.

• Interior Fixtures: Shower assemblies and other critical interior installations.

Beyond a visual check, we rigorously review the construction against applicable building code requirements and the official Tarion Construction Performance Guidelines to ensure your investment is fully protected.

During a typical builder-led PDI, the walkthrough is often rushed, with the builder focusing heavily on cosmetic details like paint scratches or cabinet alignment. Unfortunately, this means critical, underlying systems are frequently skipped.

Drawing from our extensive inspection experience across the GTA and Durham Region, here are the most frequent defects we uncover that directly impact your home’s performance:

• Heating & Airflow Defects: Poor HVAC installation is incredibly common in new builds. We frequently find significant air balancing issues, inadequate heating distribution, and missing or improperly routed return air pathways that disrupt the comfort of your home.
• Attic Insulation Shortfalls: Adequate insulation is your first line of defense against the Canadian climate. We routinely find unfinished areas or insufficient insulation depths, which can lead to expensive heat loss and winter ice damming.
• Overlooked Exterior Defects: Builder PDIs notoriously rush or completely skip over the exterior of the property. We rigorously evaluate the exterior envelope, grading, roofing, and finishes to ensure they are fully completed and weather-tight.
• Tarion Performance Guideline Violations: Beyond obvious physical defects, we identify numerous hidden workmanship issues that specifically fail to meet the strict standards outlined in the official Tarion Construction Performance Guidelines.

Once you move in, the “settling-in” period begins. Issues that weren’t visible in an empty house—like plumbing leaks under load or electrical outlets that don’t work—start to surface.

You have exactly 30 days from your possession date to submit your first formal claim. We revisit the property to perform a deep-dive assessment, focusing on the systems you use every day. There is no limit to what you can report. Whether it is a minor trim issue or a major HVAC concern, if it’s a deficiency, it belongs on that form.

There’s no cap on the number of items you can include. Whether it’s 5 items or 100+, every deficiency should be recorded. Even “small” issues such as paint, trim, flooring, or door alignment matter—because if they’re not documented, they may not be covered later.

The first year of a home’s life is the most telling. As the home goes through a full cycle of Canadian seasons, the “freeze-thaw” effect can reveal:

• Foundation cracks or basement moisture.
• Drywall nail pops and structural settling.
• Attic condensation or roof issues.

Our Year-End inspection ensures that nothing is missed before your comprehensive one-year workmanship warranty expires.

If you are out of town, unavailable, or prefer a completely hands-off approach, we are fully qualified to act as your official designated representative. To authorize us to handle the PDI on your behalf, simply follow these steps:

1. Notify your builder in advance that a Registered Home Inspector will be taking your place.
2. Complete the official PDI authorization form provided by Tarion.

Once authorized, we will attend the PDI on your behalf, conduct a rigorous inspection of the property, log all deficiencies on the official forms, and provide you with a detailed briefing afterward.