What Do Home Inspectors Earn in Ontario?

Wondering how much a home inspector earns in Ontario? This guide breaks down average income, what affects your earnings, and how to increase your income over time.

1. What’s the Average Salary for Home Inspectors in Ontario?

The average home inspector salary in Ontario ranges from $60,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on location, volume, and whether you are self-employed or working for a firm.

Some experienced inspectors earn $100,000+ annually, especially if they specialize in commercial inspections, run multi-inspector teams, or operate under a national brand.

2. What Do Inspectors Earn?

In your first year, you can expect to earn:

• Part-time or ramping up: $30,000 to $50,000
  
• Full-time, solo practice: $50,000 to $70,000
  
• With strong marketing and real estate agent referrals: Up to $80,000
  

Most new inspectors begin earning income within 3-6 months of completing training and certification.

Your earnings will reflect your:

• Training quality
  
• Local housing market
  
• Effort in networking and marketing
  

3. What Factors Affect How Much You Can Make?

Your income is influenced by:

• Location: Inspectors in cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Mississauga may charge more than rural inspectors.
  
• Volume: More inspections = more income.
  
• Pricing: Fees typically range per home inspection.
  
• Certifications: Specialized credentials (e.g., mold, radon, commercial) allow higher pricing.
  
• Referral network: Strong relationships generate steady leads.
  
• Online presence: Inspectors with strong SEO, reviews, social media, and local listings often attract more clients.
  
• Franchise or brand affiliation: Working with a brand like Carson Dunlop can increase trust and booking rates.
  

4. Can Home Inspectors Earn Six Figures?

Yes. Many Ontario inspectors earn $100,000 or more per year, particularly when they:

• Work full-time with a strong referral base
  
• Offer additional services (e.g., pre-listing inspections, energy audits, thermal imaging inspections for hidden moisture, and video sewerscans)
  
• Expand into commercial inspection
  
• Build a multi-inspector team
  
• Join a Carson Dunlop Franchise and scale under an established brand
  

Inspectors who treat the role as a business, not just a job, typically scale to six figures faster.

5. Gross Income by Career Stage: Year 1 to Year 5+

Year 1:

• $30K–$50K part-time
• $50K–$70K full-time, solo
  

Years 2–3:

• $70K–$110K as a full-time, certified inspector with steady leads
• Often includes repeat business and a strong referral network
  

Years 4–5:

• $110-130k+ with specialization and local authority
• Many expand into multi-inspector operations
  

Beyond Year 5:

• $120K–$200K+ for business owners, franchisees, or those adding training, consulting, or commercial services

6. Comparing Salaries: Employed vs. Self-Employed Inspectors

Employed Inspectors:

• Typically earn a fixed salary ($45,000–$80,000)
  
• Less administrative work, more consistency
  
• Fewer expenses, but capped earnings
  

Self-Employed Inspectors:

• Set their own pricing
  
• Higher risk and responsibility
  
• Greater long-term earning potential
  
• Can build a business and sell it
  

Most Carson Dunlop graduates start independently, then scale over time.

7. How to Increase Your Earning Potential

Here are five proven ways to increase your income as a home inspector:

1. Invest in reputable training and certification
   
   • Clients and real estate agents trust certified inspectors.
     
2. Build strong relationships with local real estate agents
   
   • A single agent can refer dozens of clients per year.
     
3. Offer additional services
   
   • Examples: mold testing, radon inspections, thermal imaging
     
4. Optimize your online presence
   
   • Set up a Google Business Profile, gather reviews, and rank in local searches.
     
5. Join a trusted franchise network
   
   • Carson Dunlop Franchise Program offers lead generation, brand credibility, and growth systems
     

8. Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the average hourly rate for a home inspector?

Most inspectors charge $500 per inspection, on average (fees vary), which typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours.

Can I earn a full-time income from home inspections?

Yes. Most full-time inspectors earn $60K–$90K+ per year. Six figures is achievable with experience and smart marketing.

Do home inspectors make more in cities or rural areas?

Inspectors in urban markets often earn more per inspection but face more competition. Rural inspectors may earn less per job but can dominate their local market.

Is this a good second career financially?

Yes. The relatively low startup cost and high income potential make it an attractive career pivot.

What if I want to grow a team or business?

You can absolutely grow beyond solo inspections. Many inspectors scale by hiring others, expanding services, or becoming franchise owners.

9. Start Building Your Career: Book a Discovery Call

If you’re exploring home inspection as a career path, the next step is to talk with someone who can walk you through your options.

Book a free 15-minute Career Discovery Call with Carson Dunlop.

We’ll help you:

• Understand income potential in your specific region
  
• Identify the training path that matches your goals
  
• Avoid common pitfalls that limit earnings
  
• Learn how to grow your career into a business
  

You can earn a strong income doing work that matters.

Let’s talk about how to make it happen.