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. Over 2,500 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.

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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 — the challenges are numerous and predictable.

Common findings

What our inspectors find
in Montreal.

After 2,500+ inspections in the city, we have identified recurring problems specific to Montreal buildings. Here is what we watch closely.

✓Foundation cracks — Differential settlement caused by clay soil, freeze-thaw cycles, mature tree roots

✓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

✓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

✓Deficient flat roofs — Aging multi-layer membrane, insufficient drainage, snow accumulation, thermal bridges causing ice dams

✓Basement mold — Inadequate ventilation, chronic moisture, organic materials in contact with concrete

✓Deteriorated masonry — Crumbling mortar joints, frost-cracked bricks, rusted lintels above windows

Our services in Montreal

Inspections available
in your neighbourhood.

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Pre-purchase inspection

Protect your investment. Starting at $650+tax.

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Condo inspection

Specialized inspection for condo units. Starting at $550+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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Pre-sale inspection

Sell with confidence. Starting at $550+tax.

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Mold & air quality

Mold testing and indoor air quality analysis.

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 $650+tax. For a condo, starting at $550+tax. The price varies based on size, age and complexity of the building. 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