Home Inspection in the West Island

Buying a house, condo or plex in the West Island? I'm Pantelis Ambatzis, a Certified Master Inspector (CMI®), and I inspect properties across the West Island, in English or French. You can come along for the whole inspection, and I explain every finding on site, in plain language.

Where I inspect in the West Island

I cover the whole West Island: Dorval, Pointe-Claire, Kirkland, Beaconsfield, Baie-D'Urfé, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Senneville, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Pierrefonds-Roxboro and L'Île-Bizard. I'm about 20 minutes from the West Island by Highway 13 or Highway 40, so it is part of my regular week. Most of my West Island inspections are bungalows, split-levels, cottages and townhouses, along with condos. For a condo, see condo inspection; for a duplex or triplex, see duplex & plex inspection.

What I check

The inspection follows the BNQ 3009-500 standard. I check everything that is visible and safely accessible:

• Exterior and lot: grading, gutters and downspouts, siding, windows and doors, decks and outside stairs;
• Roof: shingles, flashing, vents and chimney, with the drone when the roof isn't safely accessible;
• Foundation: cracks, parging, signs of water in the basement;
• Electrical and plumbing: panel, visible wiring, outlets, pipes, water heater and its age;
• Heating, air conditioning and ventilation, including the heat pump if there is one;
• Interior, basement and attic, with a moisture meter and a thermal camera.

What I often look for in West Island houses

Every house is different, but a few points come up often. Mature trees are part of the West Island's charm, but they drop debris into gutters and shade roofs, which can shorten the life of the shingles; I check both closely. Finished basements can hide the foundation walls, so I look for signs of past water at the floor, baseboards and corners, and use the thermal camera where the walls are covered. Lot grading and downspouts that send water toward the house are a common cause of basement moisture. Decks and outside stairs get a close look too; see deck inspection. When I see signs of moisture, we can go further with a mold inspection and air sampling.

The report

You receive a written BNQ 3009-500 report with photos, findings ranked by priority and maintenance advice, often delivered the same day. It helps you decide with your broker: go ahead, negotiate, or bring in a specialist before your deadline. Rates are on the price list, and I confirm the exact price once I have the address. For more on the process, see pre-purchase home inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Do you charge extra to come to the West Island?

No. The West Island is part of my regular service area in Greater Montréal.

How soon can you inspect?

Call me as soon as your offer is accepted. I give you a date and a price the same day, and I work 7 days a week, so the inspection fits inside your deadline.

Can the inspection be in English?

Yes. The inspection and the report can be in English or French, as you prefer.

Nearby: Kirkland, Lachine and NDG.

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