A pre-purchase inspection is your last chance to see the house through a professional's eyes before committing for 25 years. Our inspector examines the building from roof to basement following the BNQ 3009-500 standard, which governs real-estate transaction inspections in Québec, then hands you a report that separates what is urgent, what should be planned and what is normal maintenance.
What the inspector examines, room by room
The inspection covers the exterior (roof, flashing, gutters, siding, windows, porches, landscaping and lot grading), the visible structure (foundations, load-bearing walls, attic framing), then the systems: electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Inside, we check floors, walls, ceilings, stairs and any sign of leaks or movement.
The basement and attic are often the rooms that tell the most. In the basement, we look for water marks, efflorescence, active cracks and slab condition. In the attic, we check insulation, ventilation, condensation and roof deck condition. Open houses rarely let you see either properly.
The defects that cost the most in Québec
The most expensive surprises almost always involve water and soil: a clogged French drain, a cracked foundation letting water in, a slab heaved by pyrite, a roof at end of life or poor grading that sends water toward the house. Foundation or drain repairs easily run into tens of thousands of dollars.
Next come the systems: an outdated or unpermitted electrical panel, polybutylene or tired cast iron plumbing, a heating system at end of life, and missing ventilation in a house made airtight by renovations. Our report states for each finding whether it should be fixed before buying, negotiated or planned.
A report you can actually negotiate with
The report is delivered digitally, usually within 24 to 48 hours, with annotated photos for every finding. We skip needless jargon: each observation explains what we saw, why it matters and what action is recommended, such as an evaluation by a roofer, electrician or engineer.
With this document, you can ask the seller for a price reduction, repairs before the sale or adjusted conditions. You can also simply walk away if the findings exceed what you are willing to take on, provided your offer to purchase allows it.
Preparing the inspection to get the most out of it
Plan roughly two to three hours for a single-family home, and more for a large property or a plex. Your presence is strongly recommended: the inspector shows you the findings on site, answers your questions and explains upcoming maintenance. Ask the broker to ensure access to the basement, attic, electrical panel and equipment.
Bring your questions and read the seller's declaration before the visit: if the seller mentions a past leak or drain work, the inspector can focus on those areas. The more they know before arriving, the more targeted the examination.
