In Quebec, the profession of home inspector is not regulated by any law. However, there are professional associations such as the Association des inspecteurs en bâtiments du Québec and the National Association of Building Inspectors and Experts. These organizations require their members to have proper training, such as a college-level attestation in building inspection.

Inspectors may also belong to a professional order, such as the Ordre des architectes du Québec, the Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec, the Ordre des évaluateurs agréés du Québec, or the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Professional orders are responsible for protecting the public, which adds accountability to their members. Finally, ask your real estate broker to refer two or three inspectors. Contact them to find out how long the inspection will take depending on the size of the property, to get pricing, and to learn what type of report they will provide. Since the inspection period is limited, start your process quickly to schedule an appointment.

The inspection is an opportunity to get to know your future property. Be present and attentive during the visit. The inspector will likely point out various items that need improvement or maintenance, which may not necessarily appear in the final report. The report should include photographs and recommendations to correct certain issues (such as adding insulation or replacing the water heater, etc.). If any aspects of the inspection report are unclear to you, do not hesitate to ask questions.

In the case of a condominium where a full inspection may not be possible due to the size of the building, for example, it is important to carefully review documentation such as meeting minutes from owners’ assemblies—which may mention upcoming work or specific issues—the building maintenance log, and the contingency fund. It also happens that the condo association requires owners to make special assessments in addition to monthly condo fees due to major repair costs. These may have been approved by the association before the notarized sale but only become payable by the buyer after the sale date.

Your real estate broker has the necessary expertise to properly guide you through this process.

Source: centris.ca