Mandatory Municipal Building Inspections
The Ontario Building Code regulates the inspections for which a Builder is required to give notice. The inspector must inspect for compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the
permit documents:
1. Readiness to construct footings.
2. Substantial completion of footings and foundations prior to commencement of backfilling.
3. Completion of ductwork and piping for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
4. Readiness for inspection and testing of building sewers and building drains, inside and
outside water service pipes, drainage systems and venting systems, the water
distribution system and plumbing fixtures and plumbing appliances.
5. Substantial completion of the structural framing.
6. Substantial completion of fire separations (townhouse and semi-detached dwelling units).
7. Substantial completion of insulation, vapour barriers and air barriers.
8. Substantial completion of interior finishes.
9. Substantial completion of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
10. *Occupancy – completion of construction and installation of components required to permit the issue of an occupancy permit: required exits, handrails, guards, smoke
alarms, gas proofing between attached garage and dwelling unit; water supply, sewage disposal, lighting and heating systems; completion, operating, inspected and
tested water systems, building drains and sewers and drainage systems; outstanding orders have gained compliance.
11. Final Inspection – correction of identified deficiencies not related to occupancy,
exterior decks and landings , substantial completion of exterior cladding.
• If decks or landings are not completed at the time of occupancy and the difference in elevation exceeds 2′ 0″, the builder will be directed to temporarily block or disable the
locks on patio and garden doors to prevent the door from being opened. DO NOT RE-SET THE LOCK OR REMOVE RESTRICTIVE DEVICES UNTIL THE DECK(S) AND
HANDRAILS ARE COMPLETED.
• Gas fired appliances are regulated by the Gas Code. Inquiries related to the supply and installation of gas should be directed to ENBRIDGE GAS.
• Hydro – The minimum number and location of plugs and switches is regulated by the Ontario Building Code. The inspection of the wiring and supply of hydro is regulated
by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) – contact 1-877-372-7233
IMPORTANT NOTES
• If decks or landings are not completed at the time of occupancy and the difference in
elevation exceeds 2′ 0″, the builder will be directed to temporarily block or disable the
locks on patio and garden doors to prevent the door from being opened. DO NOT
RE-SET THE LOCK OR REMOVE RESTRICTIVE DEVICES UNTIL THE DECK(S) AND
HANDRAILS ARE COMPLETED.
• Gas fired appliances are regulated by the Gas Code. Enquiries related to the supply
and installation of gas should be directed to ENBRIDGE GAS.
• Hydro – The minimum number and location of plugs and switches is regulated by the
Ontario Building Code. The inspection of the wiring and supply of hydro is regulated
by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) – contact 1-877-372-7233
Beware – Mistakes Are Made
I have personally inspected new homes and others less than 2 years old and found the following deficiencies:
- Missing felt paper or ice water shield – this was on 2nd level of newer townhouse.
- Basement landing joist hangers secured with drywall screws
- Engineered floor joist damaged by plumbers drill
- Main electrical panel installed too high
- Trip hazards at bathroom entrance where change in level was over 1/2 inch
- Joist hangers only nailed on one side ( this is a common one )
- Brick and Debris used as back fill ( Only clean fill is supposed to be used )
- Holes drilled in floor joists with less than the 2 inches of clearance from edge of joist.
- Rough-in for bathroom placed beside main electrical panel
- Casement windows that cannot be opened due to hitting architectural feature of roof
- Areas of attic where insulation was missing or very little installed
- Dimple Wrap installed backwards
- Missed and cracked caulking
- Cracked bricks used during construction
- Too much mortar used on brick joints to compensate for poorly installed foundation
- Gutter size inadequate for size of roof and number of downspouts
- Torn and damaged shingles
Article from BarrieToday.com on Tornado Damage
“Up to 40 homes damaged by Thursday’s tornado may be condemned after many of them lost their roofs, some due to poor workmanship, an engineering professor with Western University’s The Northern Tornadoes Project believes.
“With some of the roofs off, the whole roof off, we saw a lack of following the building code,” said Greg Kopp, ImpactWX chair in severe storms engineering and the project’s lead researcher.
“There weren’t sufficient nails, in many cases there were no nails holding the roof onto the walls. And during a tornado, or any wind storm, the roof becomes like a wing and wants to lift up, so you have to hold it down,” said Kopp.
Read Full Article
Your TARION Warranty
Even though you paid for this warranty as part of the purchase price of your new home, you basically have “no rights” and very little “Protection” as a consumer. The Ontario Government has finally recognized the plight of the “New Home Buyer” and according to a Toronto Star article has decided to replace Tarion citing ‘conflict of interest’ concerns, the Ontario government will create a standalone home builder regulator separate from the warranty provider.
Even though buying a house maybe one of the most expensive investments that most families make, it is still basically a “Buyer Beware” environment for home buyers in Ontario. When buying a new home, check with existing home owners who are already living there to see what kind of support the builder is providing.
Unfortunately Tarion got a reprieve as the legislation that was to remove them from Inspecting Homes, which they apparently never did, was dropped when Ontario Legistlator was Prorogued in 2021. The bill to require licensing of Home Inspectors also suffered the same fate.
Military Mortgage Brokers
RCMP and military personnel in Canada should consider using a military mortgage broker because these brokers specialize in understanding the unique housing and financial needs of service members. They have expertise in navigating the specific benefits and programs available to RCMP and military personnel, such as mortgage options tailored to their income stability and relocation assistance. By working with a military mortgage broker, RCMP and military members can access specialized guidance and potentially secure more favorable terms and rates on their mortgages, ensuring their housing needs are met effectively.
Whether military personnel will save money by using a military mortgage broker depends on various factors such as the specific terms of the mortgage, the broker’s fee structure, and the individual’s financial situation. However,
there are several ways in which military personnel may potentially save money with a military mortgage broker:
- Access to Specialized Programs and Benefits: Military mortgage brokers are well-versed in the unique benefits available to service members, such as VA loans in the United States or specialized programs for military members in other countries like Canada. By leveraging these programs, service members may qualify for lower interest rates, reduced down payment requirements, or waived mortgage insurance premiums, potentially resulting in significant cost savings over the life of the loan.
- Negotiating Better Terms: Military mortgage brokers often have established relationships with lenders who are familiar with the needs of military personnel. These relationships may enable brokers to negotiate more favorable terms on behalf of their clients, such as lower interest rates, reduced closing costs, or waived origination fees, which can translate into substantial savings over time.
- Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Military mortgage brokers can provide personalized guidance and expertise tailored to the unique financial circumstances of service members. By helping borrowers navigate the mortgage process effectively and avoid costly mistakes, such as choosing the wrong type of loan or missing out on valuable benefits, brokers can potentially save military personnel money in the long run.
- Efficiency and Time Savings: Time is money, especially for busy military personnel who may have demanding schedules due to deployments, training, or other obligations. Military mortgage brokers can streamline the homebuying process, helping service members secure financing quickly and efficiently. By expediting the process and minimizing delays, brokers can save borrowers both time and potential expenses associated with prolonged searches or missed opportunities.
While there may be costs associated with using a military mortgage broker, such as broker fees or commissions, the potential savings and benefits they provide can outweigh these expenses for many military personnel. Ultimately, it’s essential for service members to carefully weigh the advantages and costs of working with a broker to determine if it’s the right choice for their individual circumstances.
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CHOOSE YOUR LOCAL MILITARY OR RCMP MORTGAGE BROKER FROM ACROSS CANADA