Key Takeaways
- To get a house appraisal in Ontario, request a quote from a certified appraisal firm, book the inspection and receive your report once the research is finished.
- Lenders order appraisals for many mortgages, but homeowners, buyers, lawyers and accountants can also order one directly.
- National Appraisals charges one flat fee with no hidden extras, and a standard report is delivered within two days.
- Fixing visible damage and keeping renovation records on hand helps the appraiser report your home accurately.
- Every report is signed by the inspecting candidate member and co-signed by a designated member.
How Do You Get a House Appraisal in Ontario?
You get a house appraisal by requesting a quote, agreeing a time for the inspection and waiting for the appraiser to finish the research and report. National Appraisals is rated Excellent from 45 Google reviews and handles each step for homeowners, buyers and lenders across Ontario.
- Request a quote: Use the online order form and share the address, the property type and the reason you need the appraisal.
- Ask about timing: If you need a faster turnaround, say so when you request the quote.
- Book the inspection: The appraiser contacts you to agree a time that suits you.
- Meet the appraiser: The visit is a non-invasive walk-through with photographs and notes, and you can ask questions on the spot.
- Wait for the research: Most of the appraiser’s time goes into comparing recent sales and writing the report.
- Receive your report: The invoice is due before final delivery, and the finished report goes to you, or to your lender or broker if they requested it.
Who Can Order a House Appraisal?
Several parties order appraisals, and the reason decides what the report must cover. Lenders often commission appraisers on non-CMHC insured mortgages to confirm value and interior condition. Individuals, banks, lawyers and accountants all rely on National Appraisals for certified reports.
| Who orders | Typical reason | What it helps with |
|---|---|---|
| Lender | Mortgage financing or refinancing | Confirms fair market value and condition before lending |
| Homeowner | Pre-listing, tax, estate or separation | Clears up conflicting values from different sources |
| Buyer | Pre-purchase | Reduces the risk of overpaying and supports negotiation |
| Lawyer or accountant | Probate, divorce, litigation or tax reporting | Supports legal and tax filings |
Only the authorized client and authorized users may rely on a report unless a Letter of Reliance is issued, so tell the appraiser who needs to use it.
When a Private House Appraisal Makes Sense
Many owners order an appraisal before any lender is involved. If conflicting values from agents, brokers and online tools are causing confusion, an appraisal gives you one professional number to work from. It may even show your home is worth more than earlier estimates because of zoning, future potential uses or changes to the official plan.
- Pre-listing: Price your home with confidence before it goes to market.
- Pre-purchase: Use the report to negotiate the asking price and reduce the risk of overpaying.
- Off-market sales: Give both sides a clear reference point for the property’s value.
- Renovation decisions: Support property flipping and renovation planning with a professional value.
How to Prepare for the Appraiser’s Visit
Appraisers must report what they see, so visible problems appear in the report and can lower your value. Fix what is broken, make every room accessible and let the condition of the home speak for itself. Cleanliness is not a major factor.
- Repairs: Patch holes or damaged drywall, repaint peeling areas and finish any repairs you have been putting off.
- Water damage: Fix ceiling stains, foundation leaks and basement moisture first, because these raise red flags.
- Access: Make sure the appraiser can reach every room, the basement and the garage.
- Documents: Gather permits, receipts and records for roof, HVAC or kitchen upgrades, plus your survey and recent property tax bill if you have them.
- Improvements: Mention renovations, updated bathrooms or added rooms so the appraiser can consider them.
How Much Does a House Appraisal Cost and How Long Does It Take?
National Appraisals offers a single fixed price, so you know what you will pay upfront. The fee depends on the property type, the location and the purpose of the report. Our guide to what an appraisal costs explains what changes the price.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Price | One flat fee with no hidden extras |
| Standard turnaround | Within two days |
| Urgent turnaround | Report within 24 hours in urgent cases |
| Residential inspection | Typically 15 to 30 minutes |
| Commercial or complex inspection | One to two hours |
Call +1 888 887 4926 for a flat-fee quote and the expected turnaround for your property.
What Is in Your Appraisal Report?
A standard report is divided into key sections that show how the value was reached. A candidate member inspects the property and signs the report, and a designated member reviews and co-signs it. For residential properties that is typically a Canadian Residential Appraiser (CRA).
- Property information: Bedrooms, square footage, assessment data and owner details.
- Direct comparison approach: A comparison with similar recently sold properties in your neighborhood.
- Cost approach: The cost of rebuilding your property from scratch, less current depreciation.
- Photographs and addendums: Interior and exterior photos taken during the inspection.
Why Order Your Appraisal From National Appraisals?
National Appraisals serves clients from offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston and Sudbury. We value homes, condos, retail outlets, offices and industrial properties, and even complex properties such as churches and gas stations. Our reports are accepted for financing, legal and tax purposes, and our team is trusted by Canada’s leading financial institutions.
- Lender trusted: TD, RBC, CIBC, Scotiabank, BMO, National Bank, First National, MCAP, Haventree Bank and Tangerine rely on our work.
- Local knowledge: Our team handles home appraisals in Toronto and across Eastern and Southern Ontario.
- Client feedback: “Appraisal was done in a timely and professional manner.” Claude DellaZazzera, Google review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to appraise a house?
A standard property appraisal can be delivered within two days, and urgent reports can be submitted within 24 hours. The site visit is short, but most of the work is research and analysis, so the exact timing depends on how complex the property is. Tell us if you need it faster.
What does an appraiser look at in your home?
The appraiser records the bedrooms and bathrooms, notes home improvements, identifies visible damage, assesses overall condition and takes photographs. They then compare your home with recent sales of similar properties nearby, adjusting for location, size, age, condition and amenities, to reach a market value you can rely on.
Can I order a house appraisal myself, or does my lender have to?
You can order one yourself. Homeowners commonly order pre-listing, tax, estate or separation appraisals, and buyers order pre-purchase reports. When a lender requires an appraisal for a mortgage, the lender usually commissions it, and the report is forwarded to the bank, broker or lender instead of to you.
Do I need to clean the house before the appraisal?
No, you do not need to deep clean or declutter, because appraisers are trained to look past everyday clutter. It is worth repairing minor damage such as holes in the wall or peeling paint, since appraisers must note detrimental conditions. Make sure there is a clear path to walk through and photograph the home.
Get Your House Appraisal in Ontario
Request a quote online or call +1 888 887 4926 to speak with our team about your house appraisal in Ontario. You get a flat fee, a report within two days and an appraisal firm trusted by Canada’s major lenders. You can also send us a message with your address.
