15 Vital Questions to Ask Your Edmonton Home Inspector During the Final Walkthrough

You’ve survived the bidding war, navigated the paperwork, and the moving truck is officially booked. You’re at the finish line of buying a home in Edmonton. But before you sign that final document and take the keys, there is one last, crucial step: the final walkthrough.

At InspecUs, we’ve seen it all in our 10+ years of inspecting properties across Alberta. We know that the time between the initial pre-purchase home inspection and the closing date can be full of surprises. People move out, repairs are made (or forgotten), and Edmonton’s unpredictable weather can change the condition of a house in a single afternoon.

The final walkthrough isn’t a second full inspection: it’s a verification. To help you navigate this, we’ve compiled 15 vital questions you should be asking your inspector (or yourself, using your inspection report) during that final lap.

1. "Has anything materially changed since the original inspection?"

This is the big one. Between the time we first walked the property and your final walkthrough, the sellers have likely moved out heavy furniture and boxes. Sometimes, those boxes were hiding things: stained carpets, holes in the drywall, or even foundation cracks.

Ask us if any new issues have cropped up. In Edmonton, a sudden spring melt or a heavy rainstorm can reveal basement leaks that weren't there two weeks ago. We look for new stains, fresh "patches" on walls, or systems that were working during the initial certified home inspection but now seem sluggish.

2. "Are the agreed-upon repairs actually completed: and done professionally?"

If you requested repairs based on our initial report, don't just take the seller's word for it. Check the work. Did they hire a professional, or was it a "handyman special" DIY fix?

When we walk through, we’re looking for invoices and permits. If a furnace was supposed to be serviced, we want to see the tag from the HVAC company. If a foundation crack analysis resulted in a repair, we want to see that the work looks professional and structurally sound.

3. "Are there any new signs of moisture in the basement?"

Edmonton basements are notorious for moisture issues, especially during the freeze-thaw cycles of spring. Even if the basement was dry during the first visit, things change.

We check the corners, the base of the water heater, and around the sump pump. We’re looking for new efflorescence (that white, powdery salt deposit), musty smells, or damp spots. If something looks off, we often use thermal imaging and moisture detection tech to see what’s happening behind the finished walls.

4. "Is the grading still directing water away from the house?"

Edmonton’s soil can settle quickly. During the final walkthrough, we take another look at the exterior. Did the sellers disturb the soil while moving out? Are the downspout extensions still attached and pointing at least six feet away from the foundation? Proper grading is your first line of defense against a flooded basement in Alberta.

5. "Do you see new signs of foundation movement?"

Check the door frames. Do the doors still latch properly, or are they sticking now that the house has settled or shifted slightly with the change in season? We look for new "stair-step" cracks in exterior brickwork or widening gaps in the basement concrete. If we see something concerning, we’ll tell you straight up if it’s normal settling or a red flag.

6. "Are the roof and eavestroughs still in good shape?"

Edmonton weather is hard on roofs. Wind, hail, and heavy snow loads can do damage in a matter of days. From the ground, we’ll verify that no new shingles have blown off and that the gutters aren't sagging under the weight of debris.

7. "Is the attic insulation still dry and undisturbed?"

It sounds extreme, but sometimes pests move in or roof leaks develop between the inspection and closing. We want to ensure that the insulation we noted in our report is still in place, dry, and providing the R-value you need to survive an Alberta winter without a $500 heating bill.

8. "Are the furnace and HRV operating safely?"

In Edmonton, a working furnace isn't a luxury; it’s a life-safety requirement. During the walkthrough, we ensure the heat is actually kicking on. If the home has an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator), we check that it’s functioning to keep your indoor air quality high: something we take very seriously at InspecUs.

9. "Is the plumbing system leak-free and winter-ready?"

We’ve seen cases where sellers accidentally hit a pipe while moving furniture. We check under every sink again. We also look at the outdoor hose bibs. If it’s late autumn, were they properly shut off to prevent freezing? If the home has older Poly-B piping, which we often flag in our Edmonton home inspections, we double-check for any new weeping at the joints.

10. "Are there any immediate safety issues?"

Life-safety items are non-negotiable. Are the smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms still there, or did the sellers take them? Are the GFCI outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms still tripping and resetting correctly? We prioritize these items because they affect your family’s safety from day one.

11. "Do the windows and doors perform for our climate?"

We check the seals. In our cold climate, a blown seal on a double-pane window means major energy loss. If we notice new fogging between the glass panes that wasn't there before, that’s a cost you’ll want to know about before you close.

12. "Are there any visible permit or code issues with recent changes?"

If you notice the seller did a "quick refresh" of the basement or added a deck since the last time you saw the house, ask us about it. In Edmonton, unpermitted work can become a massive headache for the new owner. We can usually spot if work was done to "code" or if it’s a potential liability.

13. "What are the most urgent repairs versus 'nice-to-haves'?"

During the walkthrough, we help you prioritize. Maybe the aging water heater is "urgent" because it’s showing signs of rust, while the cracked driveway is a "nice-to-have" fix for next summer. We help you budget your first year of homeownership.

14. "Are there area-specific risks I should watch for?"

Different Edmonton neighborhoods have different quirks. Some areas are known for high radon levels; others have older sewer lines prone to tree root intrusion. If you're worried about the main line, we highly recommend a sewer scope inspection to avoid a $10,000 surprise under your front lawn.

15. "What does my 90-day maintenance checklist look like?"

We don't just give you a report and disappear. We want you to succeed as a homeowner. Ask us what you need to do in the first three months. Usually, it involves changing furnace filters, checking sump pump operation, and ensuring your grading stays positive as the ground thaws.

Why the Walkthrough Matters

At InspecUs, we’ve conducted thousands of inspections across Edmonton, from condos to sprawling acreages. Our InterNACHI-certified team knows that the final walkthrough is your last chance to hold the seller accountable.

We pride ourselves on delivering same-day reports that are detailed, easy to read, and packed with high-resolution photos. We don't use "inspector-speak"; we give you the facts so you can make a confident decision.

Pro Tip: Bring the Report!

When you go for your final walkthrough, bring the digital report we sent you. Use it as a checklist. If we noted a small leak under the kitchen sink, go straight to that sink and run the water. If we mentioned the attic hatch was missing weatherstripping, check if it was fixed.

Here’s the thing: Buying a home is likely the biggest investment of your life. Don't let the excitement of moving day cause you to overlook the details.

If you’re looking for a team that treats your potential home like their own, reach out to us. Whether it’s a pre-purchase inspection or a specialized thermal imaging scan, InspecUs has the experience and the tech to get the job done right.

Ready to book your inspection or have questions about a property you’re eyeing? Send us a message today and let’s make sure your Edmonton home is a safe, solid investment.