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Your questions, our answers.
Everything people ask us before, during and after an inspection. If your question isn’t here, just give us a call: 514 451-3214.
Booking and getting ready.
When should I book the inspection?
As soon as your offer to purchase is accepted. The inspection condition usually runs seven to ten days: tell us your deadline on the first call and we’ll schedule around it. In most cases, the visit takes place within 48 hours.
How much does an inspection cost?
The price depends on the type of building, its size and its age. A recent condo and a century-old triplex don’t take the same amount of time on site. Call us or send the details through the form: you’ll get a firm price, not a range.
What areas do you serve?
Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore. Elsewhere in Quebec, give us a call: depending on our schedule, we often travel farther than we advertise.
Who will do my inspection?
Zidane Abdallaoui, founder of Inspection AZ and certified building inspector, from the first call to the report follow-up. Same method, same instruments and same report at every inspection: you know exactly who is coming to your door.
Do I need to prepare anything before the visit?
Make sure everything is accessible: electrical panel, attic hatch, crawl space, water heater. If you have them, the seller’s declaration and the certificate of location are useful. For a condo, the declaration of co-ownership and the latest meeting minutes help us assess the common areas.
Do you inspect condos, plexes and commercial buildings?
Yes. Condos and co-ownerships, single-family homes, duplexes to sixplexes, and small commercial buildings. For commercial properties, the scope of the inspection is set with you before the visit.
What happens on site.
How long does an inspection take?
2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the size and age of the building. We never cut time on site to fit one more visit into the day.
Can I attend the inspection?
We recommend it. You see the findings first-hand, ask your questions as they come up, and leave with an understanding of the building that no report can fully replace.
What exactly is checked?
More than 200 points: structure and foundation, roof and building envelope, visible plumbing, electrical panel and visible wiring, heating, ventilation, visible insulation, and the full interior, room by room. Thermal imaging is done when the situation calls for it, confirmed with a moisture meter.
Does the inspection damage anything?
No. The inspection is visual and non-invasive: nothing is opened, drilled or taken apart. Anything inaccessible — behind a finished wall, under deep snow, in an attic with no hatch — is clearly identified in the report, with the appropriate recommendation.
Do you test for pyrite, vermiculite or air quality?
These tests are done by specialized labs. The inspection identifies the signs that warrant a test and points you to the right expert. We never charge for a test we don’t perform ourselves.
Do you inspect in winter?
Yes, all year round. A roof or yard under snow can’t be fully seen: the report says so clearly, and we tell you what to check in the spring.
What you receive.
When will I receive the report?
The illustrated digital report is sent to you shortly after the visit. If your deadline is tight, let us know when you book: we’ll adjust the schedule accordingly.
What does the report look like?
Digital, illustrated and ranked by priority. Each finding has its own photo, location, plain-language explanation and recommendation, with ballpark costs for the work ahead so the numbers aren’t abstract.
What happens if you find a major problem?
We tell you on site, before the report is even written. A major problem often changes a purchase decision or a negotiation, and that information can’t wait. The report then documents the finding in detail.
Can I call you after reading the report?
Yes, with no time limit. Our work doesn’t end at the door: the inspector who did your visit remains available to explain a finding, help prioritize repairs or answer a contractor’s questions.
Can the report be used to renegotiate the price?
That’s one of its most common uses. Documented, photographed findings with ballpark costs give the discussion a concrete basis. The report doesn’t make your decision for you — it puts you in a position to make it.
Are you certified and insured?
Inspection AZ is a member of Réseau IBC (Inspecteurs en Bâtiments Certifiés), carries professional liability insurance and completes mandatory annual continuing education. A service agreement is signed before every inspection.