The whole house
Every system, one visit
A systematic walk from the roof to the footings. Nothing is skipped because it is hard to reach.
Ottawa home inspections · since 2016
See what the listing doesn’t show.
Darren McClurg, Certified Master Inspector, has built and inspected Ottawa homes for three decades. Every inspection includes a free thermal scan and a detailed report the same day.
- 527 Google reviews
- 1,009 inspections in 2025
- Report delivered same day
- Certified Master Inspector®
1,009
inspections in 2025
a solo-inspector record
527
Google reviews
rated Excellent
32+
years building homes
since 1994
Same day
report delivery
usually within hours
What gets inspected
Taken apart,
layer by layer.
Roof
Roof, chimney & flashing
Shingles, flashing, gutters and chimney. If it is too steep or snowed in, the drone goes up instead of a ladder.
Attic
Attic, insulation & ventilation
Insulation depth, air leaks, ventilation, moisture and ice-dam risk, with a free thermal scan.
Structure
Walls, windows & exterior
Siding, masonry, windows, doors, decks, grading and drainage — where water gets in.
Electrical
Panel, wiring & safety
Service, panel, breakers, GFCI and AFCI protection, and working smoke and CO alarms.
Plumbing
Supply, drains & water heater
Visible supply and drain lines, fixtures, water heater, and the leaks that hide under them.
Heating & cooling
Furnace, ducts & A/C
Furnace, heat distribution, air conditioning and venting, checked against Ottawa winters.
Foundation
Foundation & basement
Cracks, movement, moisture, sump and rim joists — the expensive surprises start down here.
Free with every inspection
Heat shows what drywall hides.
An infrared camera sees temperature, not paint. Missing insulation, air leaks around windows, wet spots behind walls and overheating circuits all show up — so they’re in your report, not your first winter.
- Missing insulation
- Air leakage
- Hidden moisture
- Hot electrical
VISIBLEINFRARED
Illustrative images · drag to compare
Services & pricing
One inspector. Every kind of house.
Prices are listed up front, and the booking form adds up your estimate before you send it.
- from $400New ConstructionAlmost every new house has problems on day one. Get them fixed before you take possession.Book this →
- from $200Annual Home Check-UpDeferred maintenance is what turns into big bills. A check-up every 2–3 years catches it.Book this →
- from $400Relocation (CAF · RCMP · GoC)Approved third-party provider for Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and federal relocations.Book this →
- QuoteAccessibilityEntrances, routes, doors, bathrooms and kitchens assessed for barriers.Book this →
The report
In your inbox the same day.
Most reports arrive within hours of the inspection, while you still have time to negotiate.
- Photos of every findingSo you can see exactly what Darren saw, where.
- Plain-language explanationsWhat it is, what it could mean, who to call.
- Prioritised: safety, repair, maintainKnow what matters before your conditions deadline.
- Repair videos and linksHow to handle the small things yourself.
SAMPLE REPORT
Home Inspection
Two-storey detached · Kanata · Delivered 4:12 pm
2
Safety
7
Repair
14
Maintain
Safety
Double-tapped breaker
Two circuits share one breaker in the main panel. An electrician should separate them.
▶ How to fix it
Repair
Lifted shingles at ridge
Wind damage on the north slope, seen from the drone. Reseal before winter.
▶ How to fix it
Repair
Heat loss at window frames
Thermal scan shows air leakage at three upstairs windows. Re-caulk and weatherstrip.
▶ How to fix it
Maintain
Chimney cap missing
Install a cap to keep out rain, snow and animals.
▶ How to fix it
Safety
Double-tapped breaker
Two circuits share one breaker in the main panel. An electrician should separate them.
▶ How to fix it
Repair
Lifted shingles at ridge
Wind damage on the north slope, seen from the drone. Reseal before winter.
▶ How to fix it
Repair
Heat loss at window frames
Thermal scan shows air leakage at three upstairs windows. Re-caulk and weatherstrip.
▶ How to fix it
Maintain
Chimney cap missing
Install a cap to keep out rain, snow and animals.
▶ How to fix it
Google reviews
527 reviews. Rated Excellent.
★★★★★
from Ottawa buyers, sellers and new-home owners
“The inspector was incredibly thorough and professional. He took the time to walk me through the entire property and explain his findings in a way that was easy to understand. The final report was delivered the same day and was exceptionally detailed.”
“Darren is highly professional, very experienced, patient, and extremely thorough in his inspections. I really appreciated the quality of his work and how quickly he delivered the reports, in my case, just a few hours after the inspection.”
“Darren was exceptionally helpful, thorough and concise when conducting the inspection and when speaking to us about what repairs needed to be done for our new home. He also provided us with a very detailed report on not just the issues with the home, but also how we can repair some of them ourselves.”
“Very professional and knowledgeable. This gentleman will explain clearly step by step the inspection process. The report after inspection was very detailed. Objectively, Darren provided good advice who can definitely help take a decision.”
“Darren was awesome inspecting the house and very thorough. He explained everything that needed to be done and was very helpful in making suggestions to improve the house.”
“These guys are professionals. They give you the details on everything. Things to change or to repare, with video and links on how you can repare them.”
Bought new? Tarion has deadlines.
Get defects on record before each window closes.
30-Day Form
Everything you find in the first month. Submit before day 30.
Inspection from $249Year-End Form
Workmanship, materials, and the defects that showed up with the seasons.
Inspection from $249Second-Year Form
Water penetration, building envelope, electrical, plumbing and heating.
Inspection from $249Major Structural Defects
Defects that affect the structure or make the home unsafe to live in.
Inspection from $249You only need Bent Nails once a year.
Book a Tarion inspection
2016
Bent Nails founded
Your inspector
Built them first. Now inspects them.
Darren McClurg started building homes in Ottawa in 1994 and worked nearly every trade, inside and out, before founding Bent Nails in 2016. That is why he knows where corners get cut and where water finds its way in.
He is the owner and the only inspector — the person who books your inspection is the person who walks your house, writes your report and answers your call afterwards. In 2025 that was 1,009 inspections.
“My work isn’t done when I leave. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always reach out.”
Certified Master Inspector®
The industry’s highest designation
InterNACHI certified
Verifiable member profile
Approved relocation provider
Canadian Armed Forces · RCMP · Government of Canada
Drone & infrared certified tools
Roofs, insulation, moisture, electrical
Questions
Asked a thousand times a year.
Something not covered here? Text Darren — he answers between inspections.
What does a standard home inspection include?
The structure, foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, insulation, windows and doors, plus grading and drainage, the attic and ventilation, fireplaces, appliances, and safety items like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
How much does an inspection cost?
A buyer’s or pre-listing inspection starts at $400, Tarion warranty and drone roof inspections at $249, and an annual check-up at $200. Add-ons such as appliances, a crawlspace or a detached garage are priced on the booking form, so you see the estimate before you send it.
How soon do I get the report?
The same day — usually within a few hours of the inspection — with photos, plain-language explanations and practical next steps.
Do you inspect new homes under Tarion Warranty?
Yes. 30-day, year-end, second-year and major structural defect inspections, timed so your findings are documented before each Tarion deadline.
Do you use drones for roof inspections?
Yes, when a roof is too steep, fragile or snow-covered to walk safely. In the coldest months a high-zoom camera is used instead.
Can a house fail an inspection?
No. An inspection describes the home’s condition and what needs repair or replacement; it is not a pass or fail.
How long does it take?
Typically 1.5 to 3 hours depending on size, age and condition — and as long as it takes to do the job properly.