Pre-Purchase Home Inspection Checklist for Cochrane Buyers

Buying a home in Cochrane? A thorough pre-purchase home inspection is your most important due-diligence step before removing conditions. Here's exactly what to expect — and how to prepare so you get the most out of it.

Before the inspection

• Book early. Cochrane is busy. Schedule as soon as your offer is accepted to leave room for follow-ups before your condition deadline.
• Block 3–4 hours. A proper inspection on a typical Cochrane home takes time.
• Plan to attend the final walkthrough. The last 30–45 minutes is where the inspector walks you through findings — invaluable.
• Bring questions. Anything you noticed during showings — write it down.

What a Cochrane inspection should cover

At minimum, your inspector should examine:

• Roof & exterior — Drone scan where appropriate (especially for steep or hard-to-access Cochrane roofs)
• Foundation & structure — Cracks, movement, drainage, grading
• Attic & insulation — Critical in Cochrane's wind-exposed climate
• Electrical — Panel, wiring type (look for aluminum), GFCI/AFCI
• Plumbing — Look for Poly-B (common in older Cochrane homes), leaks, water pressure, hot water tank age
• HVAC — Furnace age, condition, ducting
• Windows & doors — Seals, condensation, operation
• Thermal imaging — Hidden moisture, heat loss, insulation gaps
• Appliances — Functional testing

Cochrane-specific things to watch for

• Wind damage: Loose shingles, damaged flashing, fence and deck wear from chinook winds.
• Hillside lots: In communities like Sunset Ridge and GlenEagles, watch for foundation movement, retaining wall condition, and surface drainage.
• Older Bow Ridge / GlenEagles homes: Aging mechanicals, Poly-B, and original roofs nearing replacement.
• New builds in Fireside, Riversong & Greystone: Construction defects, missed insulation, builder rough-in errors.
• Attic ventilation: Critical in Cochrane's climate to prevent ice damming.

After the inspection

• Read the report fully — usually delivered same day.
• Identify safety issues, major defects, and maintenance items separately.
• Talk to your realtor about negotiation strategy before your condition deadline.
• For major findings (roof, furnace, foundation), consider getting specialist quotes during your conditional period.

How to choose a Cochrane home inspector

• Member of CanNACHI (Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors)
• Fully insured (E&O and general liability)
• Includes thermal imaging and drone roof scans as standard
• Provides a sample report on request
• Allows you to attend the final walkthrough
• Delivers digital reports same day

Book your Cochrane inspection

HomeWise Property Inspections regularly inspects homes throughout Cochrane — Sunset Ridge, Fireside, Riversong, Heritage Hills, Heartland, Bow Ridge, GlenEagles and more. Call (403) 710-7770 or book online.