Building Inspection in Montréal

Buying a rental building, a commercial property or an older building in Montréal, and want to know exactly what condition it's in? I'm Pantelis Ambatzis, a Certified Master Inspector (CMI®). I inspect buildings across Greater Montréal, in English or French, and I explain every finding on site, in plain language.

What a building inspection is

It's a visual examination of the building, done before you buy or to plan work. I check everything that is visible and safely accessible, from the roof to the basement, and I tell you what is in good shape, what needs maintenance and what is likely to cost money soon. The inspection is not an expert appraisal: I don't open walls and I don't check building code compliance. When something needs a closer look, I tell you clearly and recommend the right specialist (engineer, master electrician, plumber, roofer). I have also acted as an expert in about 16 cases before the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) and the civil courts.

The buildings I inspect

• Multi-unit residential buildings: fourplexes, fiveplexes and larger apartment buildings, where each unit is examined along with the common areas. For a duplex or triplex, see the duplex & plex inspection page;
• Commercial buildings: stores, offices and mixed-use buildings with apartments upstairs;
• Condominium buildings: for syndicates, preventive inspections, pre- or post-acceptance inspections, supporting the contingency fund study and maintenance log; to buy a single unit, see condo inspection;
• Older buildings: buildings from before 1960, common in Montréal, which take more time and attention;
• New construction or renovation: an independent look at the work before you take possession or sign off.

What I check in a building

• The envelope: brick, mortar joints, lintels, parging, windows, doors, balconies, galleries and outside stairs;
• The roof: membrane or shingles, flashing, roof drains, parapets and chimneys, with the drone when needed;
• Foundation and structure: cracks, signs of movement, water in the basement or crawl space;
• Electrical: service entrance, masts, meters, each unit's panel, visible wiring;
• Plumbing: water entry, pipe types, water heaters, drains;
• Heating and ventilation in each unit and the common areas;
• The units: walls, ceilings, floors, windows, bathrooms and kitchens, smoke detectors;
• Hidden moisture, with a moisture meter and a thermal camera.

What we often find in Montréal buildings

Montréal plexes and brick buildings tend to share the same weak points: worn mortar joints and loose brick, rusted lintels over windows, balconies and outside stairs at the end of their life, flat roofs whose membrane and drains need maintenance, overhead electrical entrances to watch, and original plumbing in older buildings. When I see signs of water, we can go further with a moisture intrusion or mold inspection, with air sampling if needed. I also offer asbestos testing, useful in older buildings where suspect materials are visible (insulation, floor tiles, textured ceilings).

Time, price and report

How long it takes depends on the size of the building, the number of units and access to them: tenants need to be notified so I can get into every unit. Rates by building type are on the price list, and I confirm the exact price once I have the building's address. You receive a written report with photos, findings ranked by priority and maintenance advice, so you can decide with your broker, your lender or your contractor.

Frequently asked questions

Do all the units need to be visited?

Yes, that's what I recommend. A unit that isn't visited can hide a leak, a sagging floor or an electrical panel that needs replacing. Ask the seller to notify the tenants ahead of time.

Does the inspection check code compliance?

No. The inspection is visual and covers the condition of the building. If something raises a compliance or structural question, I'll recommend bringing in an engineer or the right specialist.

Does the inspector give repair costs?

No. I tell you what is urgent, what can wait and what needs a specialist's opinion; a contractor can then price the work.

Have a building to inspect? Call 514-924-8887 or reach us through the contact page.