Building Inspection

Building Inspector in
Montréal-Nord

A residential, working-class borough in northeast Montreal, Montréal-Nord has a housing stock dominated by post-war bungalows and rental multiplexes (1950-1975). Bordered by the Rivière des Prairies to the north, the borough faces specific inspection challenges: aluminum wiring, pyrite, aging rental multiplexes and riverside infiltration.

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Housing Profile

Post-war bungalows
and rental multiplexes.

Montréal-Nord's housing stock is dominated by bungalows and rental multiplexes built between 1950 and 1975, the period of massive borough expansion. A significant share consists of rental 4-to-12 unit multiplexes, creating specific inspection challenges tied to maintenance and shared mechanical systems.

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Post-war Bungalows (1950-1975)
The core of the residential stock: single-storey bungalows, story-and-a-half cottages and semi-detached homes built during the post-war boom. Concrete-block foundations, frequent aluminum wiring, often original or first-generation windows, asphalt-shingle roofs reaching end of cycle.
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Rental Multiplexes (4-12 units)
Montréal-Nord has a significant stock of rental multiplexes built between 1960 and 1985 — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and 6-to-12 unit buildings. Recurring findings: deferred maintenance, deteriorated exterior staircases, worn wooden balconies, end-of-life flat roofs, problematic shared plumbing. Rigorous multi-unit inspection is essential.
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Social Housing & Recent Construction
Montréal-Nord hosts a significant stock of HLM social housing built between 1970 and 1990, along with housing cooperatives and a small number of recent condo projects. These buildings carry inspection challenges tied to maintenance, shared mechanical systems and aging foundations.
Soil & Foundations

Clay soil
and riverside zones.

Montréal-Nord is bordered to the north by the Rivière des Prairies, creating mapped flood zones in some sectors. The soil contains sensitive clay in places, prone to differential settlement. Several sectors also show a history of pyritic backfill under the basement slab — an issue to document systematically.

Riverside flood zones — The northern sectors bordering the Rivière des Prairies partially fall within the flood zones mapped by the City of Montreal. Properties concerned require a thorough pre-purchase inspection: sump pump, backwater valve, foundation waterproofing.
Clay soil & differential settlement — Several sectors rest on sensitive clay that shrinks during dry spells and swells when saturated. This behaviour causes foundation cracks, uneven floors and doors that misalign with the seasons.
Pyrite under basement slab — A frequent Montréal-Nord finding for homes built between 1970 and 1990: pyritic backfill under the concrete slab. Progressive swelling causes heaving and cracking of basement floors. Systematic documentation and lab-test recommendations when indicated.
Chronic moisture & mold — Montréal-Nord basements are frequently susceptible to moisture and mold due to clay soil, saturated weeping tiles and often insufficient ventilation in finished basements.
Common Findings

What we find in
Montréal-Nord.

Inspections we carry out in Montréal-Nord reveal a consistent set of findings tied to the age of the housing stock (1950-1975 dominant), the high proportion of rental multiplexes, and the geological specifics of the territory.

Aluminum wiring (1965-1975) — A significant share of bungalows built in this period have aluminum wiring on 15 and 20 amp circuits. Overheating risks at connections (outlets, switches, panel). Specific verifications required: CO/ALR connectors, AluConn devices. Systematically documented in our reports.
Aging rental multiplexes — Montréal-Nord's rental multiplex stock frequently suffers from deferred maintenance. Recurring findings: deteriorated exterior wood or metal staircases, weakened balconies, brick cladding with joints needing repointing, end-of-life multi-layer flat roofs, problematic shared plumbing.
Pyrite and slab cracking — Homes built between 1970 and 1990 frequently show pyritic backfill under the basement slab. Swelling causes heaving, cracking and deformation of floors — a structural issue to document rigorously.
Buried oil tanks (forgotten) — Massive switch from oil heating to gas/electric during the 1980s-2000s without removing buried tanks. Risk of leakage and soil contamination — costly environmental liability. Documented visible clues: residual piping, old vents, ground depressions.
Vermiculite & asbestos — Bungalows and homes built before 1985 often contain vermiculite as attic insulation. A portion came from the Zonolite mine (Montana) and contains asbestos fibres. Lab test recommended before any renovation work.
Original windows & thermal loss — Many homes still have their original (1960-1975) or first-replacement (1985-1995) windows. Broken thermal seals, deteriorated joints, marked winter condensation and significant thermal losses — a renovation expense to anticipate.
Neighborhoods Served

Montréal-Nord,
in detail.

We inspect buildings throughout all sectors of the borough, including:

Old Montréal-Nord
Historic centre of the borough, Henri-Bourassa commercial sector, mixed 1950-1975 housing stock
Saint-Vital
Family residential area, post-war bungalows and cottages, significant rental multiplex presence
Rolland
Northern residential sector, near the Rivière des Prairies, 1960-1980 bungalows and recent housing
Le Domaine & Marie-Clarac
Mixed residential sectors, significant presence of HLM social housing and 1970-1990 housing cooperatives
Our Services

Inspections available in
Montréal-Nord.

Post-war bungalows, 4-12 unit rental multiplexes, HLM social housing, housing cooperatives and commercial buildings — Montréal-Nord covers a dense and varied housing stock with its own inspection challenges: aluminum wiring, pyrite, deferred maintenance on rental multiplexes.

Pre-Purchase Inspection in Montréal-Nord

The Montréal-Nord real estate market is dominated by 1950-1975 bungalows and rental multiplexes, supplemented by social housing, cooperatives and a small recent-construction stock. The high density of multi-unit rental buildings (4 to 12 units) is a distinguishing feature of the territory, with issues tied to deferred maintenance and shared mechanical systems.

Our pre-purchase inspection in Montréal-Nord covers more than 400 points: foundation, structure, roofing, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, insulation, windows, cladding and grounds. Particular attention to aluminum wiring (1965-1975), buried oil tank indicators, potentially asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, pyrite under the slab, signs of infiltration and mold, and rental multiplex specifics. Report delivered within 24h*.

Home Inspection in Montréal-Nord

Single-family homes in Montréal-Nord are mainly single-storey bungalows 1950-1975, supplemented by story-and-a-half cottages, semi-detached homes and a few more recent constructions. Concrete-block foundations, frequent aluminum wiring, original or first-generation windows, possible presence of vermiculite and pyrite.

A home inspection in Montréal-Nord takes 3 to 4 hours on site and includes a full visit of every accessible level, the attic, the crawl space and the exterior. Particular attention to the foundation, electrical installation (aluminum, grounding), water drainage and signs of moisture. Report within 24h*.

Condo Inspection in Montréal-Nord

Montréal-Nord's condo stock is more limited than in central boroughs: a few small recent projects, plex-to-co-ownership conversions, and housing cooperatives. Common findings: build quality varying by project, parking drainage, unit ventilation, and the usual issues tied to aging foundations for conversions.

Our condo inspection in Montréal-Nord covers the interior of the unit (kitchen, bathrooms, windows, electrical panel, plumbing, ventilation) as well as the visible common areas. We recommend a detailed review of the contingency fund study and the maintenance log. See also what a condo inspection can — and cannot — reveal.

Plex and Multiplex Inspection in Montréal-Nord

Montréal-Nord has one of the largest rental multiplex stocks on the island — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and 6-to-12 unit buildings built between 1960 and 1985. Typical findings: concrete-block foundations, copper or galvanized plumbing, electrical with possible aluminum presence, end-of-cycle multi-layer flat roofs, often deteriorated exterior wood or metal staircases, weakened balconies, frequent deferred maintenance. Buildings of 5 units or more fall under the commercial / multi-unit category.

A plex and multiplex inspection in Montréal-Nord examines each accessible unit, the common areas, structure, roofing, all mechanical systems, foundation and exterior. Custom quote within 24h.

Commercial Inspection in Montréal-Nord

Montréal-Nord hosts extensive commercial activity along Henri-Bourassa, Pie-IX, Lacordaire and Maurice-Duplessis: neighbourhood shops, restaurants, shopping centres, scattered office buildings, former industrial buildings undergoing conversion, and institutional buildings (schools, community centres). Commercial buildings span a wide range of ages (1955-2025).

A commercial inspection in Montréal-Nord covers the structure, building envelope, roofing (often flat membrane), electrical service, mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, sprinklers if applicable), accessibility, signs of code compliance, parking and grounds. Custom quote.

FAQ

Questions about
Montréal-Nord.

Are basements in Montréal-Nord at risk of flooding?+
Yes, in some sectors. The northern part of the borough borders the Rivière des Prairies and several zones fall within the flood maps published by the City of Montreal. Bungalows from the 1950s-1975s built on concrete-block foundations are vulnerable to spring infiltration. We systematically check the weeping tile, sump pump, backwater valve, foundation cracks and signs of chronic moisture.
Is aluminum wiring common in Montréal-Nord homes?+
Very frequently. A significant share of bungalows built between 1965 and 1975 — the peak construction period in the borough — have aluminum wiring on 15 and 20 amp circuits. The material carries overheating risks at connections (outlets, switches, panel). We systematically document its presence, the state of visible connections and the presence (or absence) of CO/ALR or AluConn devices.
Is pyrite an issue in Montréal-Nord?+
Yes. As in several Greater Montreal sectors, certain Montréal-Nord homes built between 1970 and 1990 contain pyritic backfill under the concrete slab. Progressive swelling causes heaving and cracking of basement floors. We systematically document visible signs and recommend laboratory tests (PétroChim or equivalent) when indicated.
How long does an inspection in Montréal-Nord take?+
A pre-purchase inspection typically takes 3 to 4 hours on site for a single-family home (bungalow or cottage), 2 to 3 hours for a condo, and 4 to 6 hours for a rental multiplex of 4 to 12 units. The full report with photos is delivered within 24h*.
Should I worry about an old buried oil tank in Montréal-Nord?+
Yes. Many Montréal-Nord properties switched from oil heating to gas or electric during the 1980s-2000s without removing the buried tank. These corroded tanks can leak and contaminate the soil — an environmental liability that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to remediate. We document visible clues: residual piping, old vents, ground depressions, oil stains.
Which areas of Montréal-Nord do you inspect?+
We inspect throughout the borough: Old Montréal-Nord (centre), Saint-Vital, Rolland, Le Domaine, Marie-Clarac, as well as the commercial sectors along Henri-Bourassa, Pie-IX, Lacordaire and Maurice-Duplessis. Bilingual service (FR/EN) available.
How much does a home inspection cost in Montréal-Nord? What is the price?+
Our rates in Montréal-Nord start at $550+tax for a condo, $750+tax for a single-family home, and custom quote for plex, multi-unit and commercial inspections. The cost of a home inspector, house inspector or property inspector depends on the size, age and complexity of the building. See our detailed pricing or contact us for a precise quote.
Are you a certified InterNACHI home inspector in Montréal-Nord?+
Yes. We are InterNACHI-certified (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors), IBC Network members, and professionally insured. As a home inspector, house inspector, property inspector and residential building inspector in Montréal-Nord, we meet the most demanding North American standards of practice.
Do you offer pre-purchase / pre-buy home inspections in Montréal-Nord?+
Yes. The pre-purchase inspection (also called pre-buy inspection, buyer inspection or inspection before buying) in Montréal-Nord is our most requested service. We accommodate tight purchase offer timelines — the inspection clause typically provides 7-10 days to complete the inspection and receive the report. Our complete report is delivered within 24h*.
Do you inspect condominiums, apartments and co-ownerships in Montréal-Nord?+
Yes. Our condo inspection in Montréal-Nord covers condominiums, divided and undivided co-ownerships, apartment co-ownerships, townhouse co-ownerships and plex conversions. We inspect the interior of the unit as well as visible common areas, and recommend a review of the contingency fund study.
Do you inspect duplexes, triplexes, rental and multi-family properties in Montréal-Nord?+
Yes. Our plex and multi-unit inspection in Montréal-Nord covers duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, rental properties, multi-family buildings and income properties. Buildings of 5 units or more fall under the commercial / multi-unit category requiring an adapted inspection approach. Custom quote within 24h.
Neighboring Boroughs

Also available
nearby.

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Montréal-Nord?

Available 7 days a week. Report within 24h*. Expertise in post-war bungalows, rental multiplexes and Montréal-Nord specifics.

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