Duplex & Triplex Inspection Montréal

Buying a duplex, triplex or other plex in Montréal, to live in, to rent out, or both? I'm Pantelis Ambatzis, a Certified Master Inspector (CMI®). I inspect every unit, the common elements and the outside of the building, and I explain every finding on site, in English or French.

Why a plex needs its own approach

A plex is one building with several homes in it. Each unit has its own kitchen, bathroom, electrical panel and often its own water heater and heating, while the roof, foundation, brick, balconies and outside stairs are shared. A problem in one unit, like a leak or a weak panel, can affect the others. The inspection follows the BNQ 3009-500 standard and covers everything visible and safely accessible; it is visual, and I don't open walls or check code compliance.

What I check

The envelope: brick and mortar joints, lintels over windows, parging, windows and doors;
Balconies, galleries and outside stairs: their condition and how they're attached to the building;
The roof: flat-roof membrane, drains, flashing and parapets, with the drone when it isn't safely accessible;
Foundation and basement: cracks, signs of movement and water, and the crawl space or cellar where there is one;
Electrical: service entrance, masts and meters, and the panel in each unit;
Plumbing: water entry, pipe types, drains, and each water heater and its age;
Each unit: floors, walls and ceilings, kitchen and bathroom, heating, ventilation, and smoke detectors.

Cracked parging coming loose at the bottom of a foundation wall, with a vertical crack under a window — Cracked parging and a crack under a window. When I see this outside, I check the same wall from the inside with the moisture meter to see whether water is getting in.

Tenants and access

I recommend visiting every unit. A unit that isn't visited can hide a leak, a sagging floor or a panel that needs replacing. Ask the seller to notify the tenants ahead of time, and plan more time than for a single-family house. Hidden moisture is easier to find with a moisture meter and a thermal camera; when I see signs of it, we can go further with a mold inspection and air sampling.

Price and report

Rates for a duplex, a triplex and each additional unit are on the price list, and I confirm the exact price once I have the address. You receive a written BNQ 3009-500 report with photos, findings ranked by priority and maintenance advice, often delivered the same day. For buildings with more units, or commercial space on the ground floor, see building inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Does the age of the building change anything?

Yes. Many Montréal plexes are old, and older buildings take more time and attention, especially the brick, balconies, electrical and plumbing. The price list shows the adjustment by construction period.

Can you inspect a single unit of a plex?

Yes, but the shared elements (roof, foundation, brick, balconies) affect every unit, so I recommend looking at the whole building.

Buying a plex? Call 514-924-8887 for a same-day quote, or reach us through the contact page.

Duplex & Triplex Inspection in Montréal