What is the difference between a condo inspection and a house inspection?+
A condo inspection focuses on the exclusive areas of your unit (interior, balcony, assigned parking) and visually assesses accessible common areas. Unlike a house, the roof, foundation and central systems are the responsibility of the condo association (syndicat de copropriété).
Should I review the condo documents before the inspection?+
Yes, we strongly recommend obtaining the declaration of co-ownership, recent meeting minutes, contingency fund status and maintenance logbook. These documents help us identify known issues and planned major work by the condo association.
Does the inspector check the common areas?+
The inspector visually assesses accessible common areas such as the indoor parking, lobby and corridors. A thorough inspection of all common areas requires the agreement of the condo association and constitutes a separate mandate.
How much does a condo inspection cost in Montreal?+
Our condo inspections start at $550+tax. Larger units, penthouses or two-storey condos are quoted case by case. The price may vary depending on the unit size, building age and specific elements to verify such as an indoor garage or dedicated storage space.
See our detailed pricing.
What are the most common problems in Montreal condos?+
The most common issues include water infiltration through windows or the balcony, insufficient ventilation causing condensation and mold, plumbing problems related to aging pipes, and deficiencies in sound insulation between units.
Why do condo inspection prices vary?+
The price depends on the unit size, building age, and elements to verify — indoor garage, storage, terrace, number of bathrooms. The inspection includes a basic FLIR thermal check (when conditions allow; advanced thermography available as add-on from $350+tax) and a complete report with photos and recommendations for every finding.
What does the report actually give me after the inspection?+
The report documents every finding with photos, priority level and recommendations. It helps you understand the overall apparent condition of your unit, identify work needed, and better evaluate the building's management by the condo association. It's a reference tool you'll keep long after the purchase.
Does the inspection replace the contingency fund study?+
No. The inspection covers the physical condition of the building and your unit. The contingency fund study is a financial document produced by a professional mandated by the condo association. Both are complementary: the inspection shows you the current condition, the study shows you whether the association has the means to maintain it.
Do you inspect condos in the West Island?+
Yes. The West Island has a strong English-speaking condo buyer base. We inspect from Pointe-Claire to Pierrefonds, Kirkland, DDO and Beaconsfield. See also our
West Island regional page for context.
What is the difference between divided and undivided co-ownership for inspection?+
Divided = unit with defined common areas (most modern condos). Undivided = share of the whole building (often in older stock). Inspection scope adapts: for undivided co-ownership, reviewing the co-ownership documents and visually assessing the whole building becomes even more important. See also our blog post on
divided vs undivided co-ownership.
Do you inspect new condos?+
Yes. For a new condo, the private accompaniment inspection can take place before or during reception (pre-delivery). See our
New construction inspection page for details. Important: our inspection is complementary to the official GCR (Garantie de construction résidentielle) inspection — it does not replace it.
What is the difference between condo, condominium and co-ownership inspection?+
In Quebec these terms are often interchangeable. Condominium and condo refer to a unit in a co-ownership building. Divided co-ownership (most common) means each owner holds a physically distinct fraction (private unit) plus a share of common areas. Undivided co-ownership means all owners hold a percentage of the entire building. Our condo inspection covers both forms — divided and undivided — as well as townhouse co-ownerships and plex conversions.
Does condo inspection review the contingency fund study and maintenance log?+
Yes. Under Quebec Law 16 (2022), condo syndicates must maintain an up-to-date maintenance log and a contingency fund study revised every 5 years. Our condo inspection includes a documentary review of these two essential tools to evaluate syndicate financial health and management of common components (roofing, foundation, mechanicals, exterior walls). An undercapitalised contingency fund is a red flag that may indicate upcoming special assessments.
What are the specific inspection concerns for aging condo towers?+
Condo towers built between 1970 and 1995 (common on Nuns Island, Côte-Saint-Luc, downtown) show recurring findings:
poorly balanced centralised ventilation,
concrete deterioration (balconies, underground garages),
end-of-life original windows,
aging plumbing or main risers,
undercapitalised contingency funds. Our inspection documents visible signs in the unit and accessible common areas. For major structural and mechanical concerns, we recommend a comprehensive
common area inspection ordered by the syndicate.
Do you inspect townhouses, plex conversions and apartment co-ownerships?+
Yes. Our Montreal condo inspection covers all formats: tower condos, townhouse co-ownerships, duplex/triplex divided co-ownership conversions, converted industrial lofts, and undivided apartment co-ownerships. Each format has specifics: townhouses share less common area but have their own roofs and foundations; plex conversions often have period components (foundations, galvanized plumbing, partially modernised electrical); towers have complex centralised mechanical systems.
How long does a condo inspection take and what does it cover exactly?+
A condo inspection typically takes 2 to 3 hours on site. We inspect the unit interior (kitchen, bathrooms, windows, floors, ceilings, electrical at the unit panel, accessible plumbing, ventilation, visible insulation), and common areas visible from the unit or publicly accessible (corridor, lobby, garages, roof if accessible). The report documents observed defects, component condition, and includes documentary review (Law 16). Report delivered within 24h*.
Is a condo inspection useful even if I am not buying?+
Yes. A
condo inspection also serves the
resident co-owner who wants to better understand the
apparent condition of their unit, those
preparing for work in the unit, a
seller preparing to list, or anyone who has noticed
visible signs (moisture, water intrusion at openings, ventilation issues, finish deterioration). For an active purchase, see our dedicated
pre-purchase inspection service; for a long-term co-owner, see also
preventive inspection.
Should I inspect my condo before work inside the unit?+
Yes. Before
work inside the unit (renovation, windows, plumbing, ventilation, finishes, electrical), an inspection documents the
apparent condition of the components concerned and connected elements likely to be affected (shared walls, vertical plumbing, ventilation, visible structure). This helps better prepare contractor bids, sequence the work, and
coordinate with the syndicate when some elements touch common elements. For hidden defects that may emerge after the work, see also our
hidden defect and legal building expertise service.
What should I do if I noticed moisture, water intrusion, or a ventilation issue?+
The inspection documents
visible and accessible indications of moisture, water intrusion at windows or patio doors, condensation, ventilation issues, or finish deterioration, and identifies areas where
specialized verification would be needed: moisture probe,
thermography,
mold and air quality analysis, engineering expertise. It does not replace these specialized expertises but clearly orients next steps and
coordination with the syndicate when relevant.