All home inspectors are not created equal. So if you’re looking for one to shine a green light on the historic home you’ve fallen in love with, be sure to do your homework first.

The debate still rages over whether a home inspection is money well spent largely due to the fact that the profession until recently has been unregulated in Ontario. But that argument flies out the window when it comes to century homes. Most housing experts will say the $300 to $500 you drop for an inspection is essential because a good inspector knows what to look for when examining an old house.

The first thing you need to do is find an inspector who has experience with older homes. If your home is designated a heritage home or has the potential to be designated, you will want a highly experienced housing expert who can also give you an idea of the cost of possible renovations and who will inform you about renovation limitations imposed due to its heritage designation. An ideal scenario would be an inspector who has worked on homes that were built in the same neighbourhood and era as yours.

There are plenty of century-old homes in Toronto and while age brings with it a certain cachet thanks to the building’s character and architectural detail, it also brings certain problems you likely wouldn’t find in a new build. A skilled property inspector knows how to identify concerns such as knob and tube wiring, aluminum wiring, aging wood frames, settlement and shrinkage cracking, lead plumbing pipes and galvanized plumbing lines, lead paint, mold, asbestos and cement and rock foundations with poor exterior waterproofing.

Generally, a heritage structure is designated as such when it’s a unique example of a particular architectural style, is directly linked with a person or organization with cultural significance, or  because it’s an old home that’s retained most of its original features.

Whether it’s deemed heritage or simply a century home, both likely share old age as a defining trait. Be sure to unearth a home inspector who not only understands the unique charms associated with older homes, but one who also knows the hazards and costs they can present. Better yet, try to find someone who owns or lives in a heritage home as they will have a keen awareness of the problems you may encounter.