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Service · 01

Pre-purchase
inspection.

Assess the real condition of the building before signing. Complete visual inspection compliant with the Standard of Practice of the Association of Building Inspectors of Quebec (AIBQ), with detailed report delivered within 72h.

What is covered

A complete examination,
system by system.

The pre-purchase inspection covers all installed, easily accessible systems and components per the AIBQ Standard of Practice. Here are the nine major areas examined.

Structure and foundations
Cracks, movement, perimeter drainage, concrete condition, visible framing, signs of settlement.
Roof and attic
Shingles, flashing, gutters, attic ventilation, plywood condition, signs of infiltration.
Exterior envelope
Siding, windows, doors, sealing, rot signs, stormwater drainage.
Plumbing
Water inlet, distribution, drainage, water heater, vacuum breaker, fixtures, visible leaks.
Electrical system
Service entrance, panel, grounding, breakers, accessible outlets and switches, smoke detectors.
Heating and ventilation
System type, visible condition, distribution, air exchanger, normal startup operation.
Insulation and weatherproofing
Visible attic, wall and footing insulation, vapor barrier, signs of condensation, obvious thermal bridges.
Drainage and stormwater
Land slope, catch basin, backflow valve, accessible French drain, signs of iron ochre.
Interior components
Floors, ceilings, walls, stairs, guardrails, door and window operation, signs of moisture.
The process

From estimate
to final report.

A structured, transparent and fast process. From booking to report within 72h.

1
Estimate
Reply to your request within hours. Firm price communicated upfront.
2
Booking
On-site inspection of 2 to 4h depending on the property. Client presence recommended.
3
Inspection
Rigorous visual examination of the nine systems per the AIBQ Standard of Practice.
4
Walkthrough
Verbal walkthrough on-site of the main findings.
5
72h report
Complete digital report with photos, recommendations and action priorities.
Limits and transparency

What the inspection
does not do.

A pre-purchase inspection is a non-destructive visual examination. For your protection and ours, here is clearly what is out of its scope.

Important · What you need to know

A pre-purchase inspection is not a warranty against hidden defects. No equipment, however sophisticated, can detect what is concealed behind finishes without removing them. Here are the items explicitly out of scope:

  • Destructive examinations — no opening of walls, floors or ceilings
  • Hidden defects not visible to the naked eye or by usual visual cues
  • Code compliance with municipal and provincial codes (requires a specialized expert)
  • Property assessment or market value estimation
  • Specialized tests — radon, iron ochre, vermiculite/asbestos, water quality, commercial thermography are offered as separate services
  • Inaccessible components — confined spaces, flooded basements, non-accessible attics
Frequently asked questions

Answered before
you ask.

How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?

Between 2 and 4 hours on-site depending on the floor area, age and complexity of the building. A standard single-family home usually takes 2h30 to 3h. A multi-unit can take 4h or more.

Do I need to be present during the inspection?

It's strongly recommended, especially at the end of the inspection for the on-site verbal walkthrough of findings. Seeing the issues directly is worth much more than a written description. If you can't be present, the detailed report delivered within 72h documents all findings with photos and priorities.

When do I receive the report?

Within 72 hours following the inspection. This is our contractual commitment. The industry standard is 7 to 10 days — we stay at 72h so you can make your decisions quickly, especially in the context of offers-to-purchase with tight inspection deadlines.

Does the inspection cover hidden defects?

No, and it's important to understand. A hidden defect is, by definition, a concealed flaw that could not be discovered by careful visual examination. The pre-purchase inspection rests on visual examination of accessible elements per the AIBQ Standard of Practice. That said, visible clues can often be detected by a trained eye and flagged in the report for deeper verification.

What is the difference between pre-purchase and preventive inspection?

The pre-purchase inspection is for buyers before signing and follows a strict framework defined by AIBQ. The preventive inspection is for current owners wanting to identify developing problems before they become costly. Content overlaps, but the purpose differs.

Do you do inspections outside of Terrebonne?

Yes. We serve all of the North Shore of Montreal: Terrebonne, Mascouche, Repentigny, Blainville, Boisbriand, Sainte-Thérèse, Lorraine, Bois-des-Filion, Rosemère, Laval. For farther zones, contact us to discuss availability and any travel fees.

What if I discover a problem after the inspection?

We remain available after the inspection to answer your questions and clarify report findings. If you discover an element we could have flagged within the AIBQ Standard of Practice, contact us: we take our responsibility seriously and each inspector is covered by errors and omissions insurance.

Ready to buy with total
confidence?

Free estimate in 60 seconds. Priority availability for realtors and offers-to-purchase with tight deadlines.