Should I Skip a Home Inspection When Buying a Home?
In today’s competitive market, some buyers consider waiving a home inspection—either to strengthen their offer or to save money on the upfront cost of hiring an inspector. It’s a personal decision, and one that comes with trade-offs. While most professionals advise against skipping a home inspection, it ultimately depends on your risk tolerance, the type of property, and your understanding of what might be uncovered.
Here’s what to consider before deciding whether to move forward without one.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or building advice. Buyers should speak with a licensed home inspector or real estate professional before making decisions about waiving or completing a home inspection.
Why Professionals Advise Against Skipping
Home inspections exist to protect buyers by offering a clearer understanding of the property’s physical condition. While it may be tempting to bypass this step, especially in multiple-offer situations, doing so shifts all the risk onto the buyer.
Even in homes that appear well-maintained, inspections can reveal concerns that aren’t visible during a showing—such as drainage issues, faulty wiring, moisture intrusion, or aging mechanical systems. Without that information, buyers could be left dealing with costly repairs shortly after taking possession.
While sellers are legally obligated to disclose latent defects (serious problems that are not visible and could make the home dangerous or unfit to live in), that responsibility has limits. Many sellers also complete a Property Disclosure Statement (PDS), which provides a general overview of the home’s condition and history. However, the PDS is based on the seller’s knowledge — if they are genuinely unaware of an issue, or if a form is incomplete, problems can go undiscovered.
Ultimately, the principle of “buyer beware” applies to most situations. If a defect could reasonably have been discovered through a proper inspection, buyers may have little recourse after closing. Skipping the inspection removes one of the most important safeguards against buying a home with costly or hidden issues.
Looking for more detail on what’s covered in an inspection?
Read our guide: [What Does a Home Inspector Look For? What Buyers and Sellers Should Expect in North & West Vancouver]
It covers inspection scope, red flags, and what to expect after the report is issued.
Why Some Buyers Still Choose to Waive the Inspection
Despite the risk, there are situations where buyers intentionally waive the inspection as a calculated choice. For example:
- In a multiple-offer scenario, removing the inspection condition may make an offer more appealing to the seller.
- In some strata properties, buyers may feel the risk is lower if strata documents already include reports and assessments on major components like the roof, building envelope, or plumbing systems.
- Some buyers believe that the likelihood or cost of a potential issue may be less than the cost of the inspection itself.
It’s also worth noting that some buyers may still have an inspection—but choose to do it for informational purposes only, without tying it to a subject clause. This allows them to learn more about the property while keeping their offer clean from the seller’s perspective.
A Compromise: a Pre-Inspection
If you're concerned about weakening your offer but still want the benefit of an inspection, one option is to complete it before writing the offer or within a very short window. In many cases, a seller may allow a pre-offer inspection.
From the seller’s perspective, this can actually work in their favour. Having a pre-inspection done often leads to more qualified buyers who feel confident moving forward without adding a subject to their offer. It also reduces the chance of last-minute surprises that could derail a deal after acceptance.
From the buyer’s perspective, the trade-off is cost and timing. Paying for an inspection before knowing whether your offer will be accepted means you take on that expense without any guarantee of success. In a competitive market with multiple offers, you could pay for several inspections on homes you don’t ultimately purchase.
The Bottom Line
Whether to skip an inspection is a personal choice — but one that should be made with care. For most buyers, the relatively small cost of a professional inspection is well worth the protection and peace of mind it provides. That said, in certain cases, a buyer may choose to move forward without one.
If you’re uncertain, don’t make the decision alone. A trusted REALTOR® can help you weigh the risks, review available disclosure documents, and consider whether a pre-inspection is a smart compromise.
Our team has deep experience with homes across North and West Vancouver and can guide you through the pros and cons based on your specific situation. We’ll help you make the choice that protects your investment while keeping your offer competitive.