Going out on your own

How to start a home inspection business in Ontario

Home inspectors assess a property's condition for buyers and sellers. Home inspection is one of the most accessible built-environment businesses to start — it is currently unregulated in Ontario — but the recognized, legally protected credential is the RHI (Registered Home Inspector) from OAHI.

Home Inspector at a glance

Credential: RHI — a protected designation from OAHI (home inspection itself is currently unregulated)
Path in: Recognized education → practical training → 150 fee-paid inspections → peer review
Regulated by: Not licensed — OAHI grants the protected RHI designation
Insurance baseline: Professional liability (E&O) — expected by clients and referral sources
Professional body: Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI)

The steps to start your practice

1
Carry E&O and stand up your inspection business
There is no licence to obtain — which is exactly why credibility matters. Carry professional liability (E&O) and commercial general liability insurance (referral sources expect it), incorporate, and set up your scheduling, reporting, and accounting.
Full guide: Insurance
2
Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
Most professionals incorporate to limit liability and for tax efficiency. Several regulated professions (architects, engineers) can form a professional corporation with a Certificate of Authorization — confirm the right entity type with your regulator before filing.
Full guide: Incorporation
3
Set up your CRA accounts
Register for a Business Number, HST/GST (mandatory above $30,000 in revenue), payroll if you will hire, and corporate income tax. Professional service fees are HST-taxable.
Full guide: CRA Registration
4
Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
Errors & omissions insurance is the core coverage for a professional practice — and a firm-authorization condition for regulated professions. It protects against claims arising from your professional advice, designs, or certifications.
Full guide: Insurance
5
Stand up your practice operations
Business banking, professional accounting, engagement letters and contracts, and the project and document workflows a practice runs on. This is the back office that keeps you paid and protected.
Full guide: Operational Setup

Your launch checklist

The whole page in one list.

Carry E&O and stand up your inspection business
Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
Set up your CRA accounts
Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
Stand up your practice operations

Turn authorization into a working practice

Once the firm can practise, the next work is commercial: define the fee, prepare a credible proposal, and put a repeatable operating rhythm behind the professional work.