Who should do the inspection?

Ideally a trained professional. An untrained owner misses 30-40% of significant problems.

What exactly needs inspection?

Roof and flashings, gutters, foundations, exterior walls, doors and windows, external stairs, heating and visible plumbing, common areas.

Is documentation really that important?

Critical. If you sell, complete documentation justifies a higher price. Keep everything for 7-10 years minimum.

What if I find a big problem?

That's the entire point. Better to discover it in spring and plan the repair for summer than have an emergency in November.

How long does a full inspection take?

Small building (duplex): 1-2 hours. 12-unit building: 2-4 hours. 30+ unit building: 4-6 hours.

Preventative Property Maintenance

Inspector with clipboard conducting building inspection

Preventative Maintenance Montreal

Complete Guide to Preventative Building Inspection

A thorough preventative inspection saves thousands in emergency repairs. This guide explains what to inspect, when to do it, and how to document every visit.

Free Assessment (514) 779-1956

Why landlords delay inspections

A small crack inspected in April costs $300 to fix. Ignored until November, it's become water infiltration that ruins drywall, spreads mold, and costs $8,000. Good inspections prevent crises.

What a preventative inspection covers

Roof, flashings, and gutters
Foundations (cracks, moisture)
Exterior walls and caulking
Heating and visible plumbing
Photo documentation on every visit

Performed regularly (typically 4x/year), it creates a history showing trends and protects you in disputes.

Who should do this?

Any owner wanting to protect their investment long-term. Especially important for buildings over 20 years old where wear accelerates, and for owners not living on-site.

Impact on property value and returns

A building with a history of regular inspections and complete documentation sells 5-10% higher than an equivalent building without documentation. Well-inspected buildings also experience fewer costly emergencies and less tenant turnover.

Montreal's seasonal inspection schedule

Fall

Last chance before winter to repair summer damage.

Winter

Focus on heating, ice damming, and roof leaks.

Spring

Critical inspection for freeze-thaw damage.

Every Montreal building should follow these distinct seasonal cycles.

What you get

Early detection before costly emergencies

Photographic documentation of every system's condition

Better documentation for insurance and sale

Improved budget planning

How it works

Customize the checklist

Every building needs a tailored checklist based on roof, heating, and foundation type.

Systematic walkthrough

The inspector methodically covers the building, addressing all systems.

Photographic documentation

Every observation is documented with photos and detailed notes.

Report and action plan

A clear report categorizes observations: immediate, short-term, medium-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Four times yearly (once per season) is the professional standard. For very old buildings, up to 6 times yearly.

Protect your building with systematic preventative inspections.

Contact Jones to establish an inspection schedule tailored to your Montreal building.

Request an Inspection (514) 779-1956

Related services

Complete Preventative Maintenance Repair Coordination

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Areas we serve

Jones conducts preventative inspections for Montreal property owners.

Montreal Plateau-Mont-Royal Westmount Outremont All service areas →