Building inspection

Building inspector in
Montreal

Q: Which Montreal neighbourhoods do you serve?

We serve all Montreal boroughs: Plateau-Mont-Royal, Verdun, Villeray, Rosemont, CDN-NDG, Westmount, Outremont, Ahuntsic, LaSalle, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Le Sud-Ouest, Saint-Laurent and more.

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.

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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 thousands of 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

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.

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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.

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Villeray

Densely packed 1940s-1960s duplexes and triplexes whose plumbing, insulation and electrical systems are showing their age. A demanding inspection landscape.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Verdun

1920s shoebox houses, brick duplex rows and modern condos along the Lachine Canal. Proximity to the St. Lawrence River dictates the inspection challenges.

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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.

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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.

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Westmount

Prestigious heritage properties: Victorian and Edwardian stone homes, slate roofs, complex mechanical systems. Inspecting these properties demands top-tier expertise.

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Outremont

Affluent heritage neighbourhood with elegant century-old homes. Aging masonry, period mechanical systems and historic foundations are the key inspection focus.

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Saint-Laurent

Dual residential and industrial character with 1960s bungalows, recent condos and one of Canada's largest industrial parks. Diverse inspection challenges.

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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.

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