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Building inspection

Building inspector in
Montreal

Century-old triplexes, new condos, Victorian homes — Montreal has a unique housing stock. We know it inside and out. Thousands of inspections completed in Greater Montreal.

Real estate profile

Montreal: a rich and
complex building heritage.

Montreal is an island built on a limestone bedrock covered with post-glacial marine clay (Champlain Sea). This clay soil, characteristic of the St. Lawrence plain, is one of the main causes of foundation cracks, differential settlement and basement water infiltration in Montreal buildings. A thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential before any purchase in Montreal.

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Clay soil on limestone
The Champlain Sea marine clay contracts and expands with the seasons, causing ground movements that crack foundations. Montreal's freeze-thaw cycles amplify this phenomenon.
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Variable water table
The proximity of the St. Lawrence River and tributaries creates high water tables in certain areas. Basements of older buildings are particularly vulnerable to seasonal infiltration.
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Century-old housing stock
Over 40% of Montreal's residential buildings were built before 1960. Cast iron or lead plumbing, knob-and-tube wiring, vermiculite asbestos — including cast iron drain issues common in pre-1970 buildings — the challenges are numerous and predictable. Whether you are buying a house or a condo in Montreal, a thorough inspection is essential.
Common findings

What our inspectors find
in Montreal.

After thousands of inspections in the city, we have identified recurring problems specific to Montreal buildings. Use our free inspection checklist to prepare, and here is what we watch closely.

✓Foundation cracks — Differential settlement caused by clay soil, freeze-thaw cycles, mature tree roots. Many century-old buildings still rest on stone foundations
✓Aging plumbing — Cast iron, lead or galvanized pipes in pre-1970 buildings. Leak, contamination and low pressure risks
✓Obsolete electrical wiring — Knob-and-tube in pre-1945 homes, Federal Pioneer or Sylvania panels, overloaded circuits in converted triplexes. These deficiencies can constitute a hidden defect if undisclosed
✓Asbestos and vermiculite — Vermiculite insulation (often asbestos-contaminated) in attics of homes built between 1920 and 1990
✓Basement water infiltration — Aging or absent French drain, iron ochre, poor grading, deteriorated foundation joints. Learn about the link between moisture, mold and ventilation
✓Deficient flat roofs — Aging multi-layer membrane, insufficient drainage, snow accumulation, thermal bridges causing ice dams. Infrared thermography reveals heat loss invisible to the naked eye. Discover the most common flat roof challenges in Montreal's duplexes and triplexes
✓Basement mold — Inadequate ventilation, chronic moisture, organic materials in contact with concrete. Our mold and air quality inspection identifies the source and extent of the problem
✓Deteriorated masonry — Crumbling mortar joints, frost-cracked bricks, rusted lintels above windows
Neighbourhoods

Our inspections by
Montreal neighbourhood.

Each Montreal neighbourhood has its own building heritage and inspection challenges. Discover what to watch for in your area.

Plateau Mont-Royal
Century-old brick triplexes, wrought iron staircases, and verdant back alleys. Beneath its charm lie very real inspection challenges: aging masonry, shared walls and original plumbing.
Inspection in the Plateau →
Rosemont
Family neighbourhood with brick duplexes and triplexes in slightly newer versions than the Plateau. The Angus district adds a converted industrial dimension to the housing stock.
Inspection in Rosemont →
Villeray
Densely packed 1940s-1960s duplexes and triplexes whose plumbing, insulation and electrical systems are showing their age. A demanding inspection landscape.
See Villeray →
Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Large family borough with 1950s-1970s bungalows and older neighbourhoods near the Rivière des Prairies. Flood zones, pyrite risk and aging systems are key concerns.
Explore Ahuntsic-Cartierville →
CDN-NDG
Montreal's largest borough: pre-war stone houses on Mount Royal slopes, 1960s towers and university housing. Sloped terrain and diverse stock demand sharp expertise.
Inspection in CDN-NDG →
Mercier-Hochelaga
Century-old shoebox houses in Hochelaga and post-war bungalows in Mercier-Est. Clay soil near the river and aging housing stock demand rigorous inspection.
See Mercier-Hochelaga →
Verdun
1920s shoebox houses, brick duplex rows and modern condos along the Lachine Canal. Proximity to the St. Lawrence River dictates the inspection challenges.
Inspection in Verdun →
Le Sud-Ouest
From Saint-Henri to Griffintown, century-old row houses, converted lofts and new condo towers. Each building type brings its own inspection challenges.
Inspection in Le Sud-Ouest →
LaSalle
1960s-1970s bungalows and split-levels along the St. Lawrence and Lachine Rapids. Proximity to water and aging housing stock create area-specific challenges.
Inspection in LaSalle →
Westmount
Prestigious heritage properties: Victorian and Edwardian stone homes, slate roofs, complex mechanical systems. Inspecting these properties demands top-tier expertise.
Inspection in Westmount →
Outremont
Affluent heritage neighbourhood with elegant century-old homes. Aging masonry, period mechanical systems and historic foundations are the key inspection focus.
See Outremont →
Saint-Laurent
Dual residential and industrial character with 1960s bungalows, recent condos and one of Canada's largest industrial parks. Diverse inspection challenges.
See Saint-Laurent →
Our services in Montreal

Inspections available
in your neighbourhood.

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Pre-purchase inspection
Protect your investment. Starting at $550+tax.
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Pre-sale inspection
Sell with confidence. Starting at $550+tax.
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New construction inspection
Foundation to warranty. Custom quote.
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Condo inspection
Specialized inspection for condo units. Starting at $550+tax.
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Home inspection
Complete inspection of your home. Starting at $750+tax.
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Multi-unit inspection
Duplex, triplex and multi-unit buildings. Custom quote.
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Commercial inspection
Commercial and industrial buildings. Custom quote.
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Thermography
Infrared detection of hidden anomalies. From $350+tax.
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Mold & air quality
Air testing and mold inspection. Starting at $350+tax.

Looking for an inspector your agent can trust? Learn about our agent partnerships.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions —
Montreal.

Everything you need to know about building inspection in Montreal.

How much does a home inspection cost in Montreal?+
For a single-family home in Montreal, our rates start at $750+tax. For a condo, starting at $550+tax. The price varies based on size, age and complexity of the building. See our pricing guide or contact us for a precise quote tailored to your property.
Which Montreal neighbourhoods do you serve?+
We serve all Montreal boroughs, including Plateau-Mont-Royal, Verdun, Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, CDN-NDG, Westmount, Outremont, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, LaSalle, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Le Sud-Ouest and Saint-Laurent.
What are the most common problems in Montreal buildings?+
The most common findings in Montreal include foundation cracks caused by clay soil, cast iron or lead plumbing in pre-1970 buildings, asbestos in vermiculite, obsolete knob-and-tube wiring, basement water infiltration from aging French drains, and flat roofs reaching end of life.
Do you inspect century-old buildings in Montreal?+
Absolutely. We have particular expertise with Montreal's century-old buildings. Pre-war triplexes, Victorian homes, heritage buildings — our knowledge of Montreal's housing stock allows us to quickly identify typical problems from each construction era.
Nearby zones

We also serve
neighbouring regions.

Laval
Chomedey · Sainte-Dorothée · Duvernay · Fabreville · Vimont · Sainte-Rose
North Shore
Terrebonne · Blainville · Mascouche · Saint-Eustache · Rosemère
South Shore
Brossard · Longueuil · Boucherville · Chambly · Saint-Lambert
West Island
Kirkland · DDO · Pointe-Claire · Beaconsfield · Pierrefonds
Book now

Need an inspector
in Montreal?

Available 7 days a week. Report delivered within 24h*. InterNACHI & IBC certified.

📞 (514) 802-7215Book online →
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