FAQ

Why do an inspection as a purchaser?

Buyer's Guide

Buying Process: Are you planning to own a home for the first time or have you already been or still are? Is the family growing and you need more space, the residence has grown too big or do you want to invest in real estate? Between you and your new home, a busy journey emerges: searches for properties that meet your needs and criteria, visits, negotiations and follow-up to the pre-purchase inspection. This last step is essential. The pre-purchase inspection will give you a technical view of the entire property, and the emotional aspect will be taken out of the equation. Everyone knows that buying a home is one of the most expensive investments you will make in your life.

Why do an inspection as a seller?

Seller's Guide

Selling Process: Planning to sell your property? Have the children left the family nest, do you need less space, the residence has grown too big, or do you want to sell your real estate assets for your retirement? Why don't you plan to have a pre-sale inspection done. This inspection will make you see the entire property from a technical perspective while the emotional aspect is removed from the equation. You will get the full picture of your property as to its strengths and weaknesses which would be observed by your buyer's inspector. Weakness would backfire on you by either lowering the price or withdrawing its promise to purchase.

Why do business with an AIBQ’s inspector?

The reputation of our association is well established. We are the industry leader. The Association of Building Inspectors of Quebec has been established in Montreal since 1992. We have more than 400 member inspectors in the four corners of Quebec. All AIBQ member inspectors have passed the rigorous admission exams by verifying their inspection reports and verifying actual on-site inspection. They must obtain a mark of over 75% in order to be admitted to the AIBQ. Subsequently, they must complete 20 training units per year, have error and omission insurance to be posted on the board of inspectors. In addition, inspectors who are members of our association must follow the standard of practice set out by the AIBQ. This standard is the envy of other associations who have simply copied it. We are the originator of the standard of practice for home inspections, the service agreement, the seller's declaration that real estate brokers have used since its inception. We are active in several projects in collaboration with the OACIQ, certain CEGEPs and specialized schools. In addition, at the time of writing these sentences, we are preparing for the recognition of the building inspection with government authorities.

What is the role of the inspector?

You are not required by law to retain the services of an inspector. But it requires you to act with caution and diligence. When a promise to purchase is presented to a seller, it is often accompanied by a clause that provides for an inspection of the residence before finalizing the transaction. This step is important: it aims to visually inspect the building to detect any apparent defects. This pre-purchase inspection allows you to discover certain problems that you might have missed on your first visit to the residence. If, upon reading the inspection report, significant deficiencies are raised by the inspector, you can then renegotiate the purchase price, have the necessary corrections made or in some cases cancel your promise to purchase. Please note: this inspection is not a guarantee against defects! "Hidden" defects will not be detected even with the most sophisticated devices that exist, unless the coating that surrounds it is stripped away, but with very sharp eyes, visible clues can be seen by your inspector.

The home inspector performs a visual inspection of the residence or units for an income house and will perform his inspection according to the standard of practice established by the AIBQ. Please note that no opening will be made to check for the presence of mold or moisture behind the finishes. Your inspector is a building professional, he will be attentive to the defects, deficiencies and clues noted during the inspection in order to draw your attention to the elements that could be problematic and record these elements in a complete report with photos, in order to support his findings. Following the on-site inspection and reading the inspection report, you will have a very good idea of ​​the general condition of the desired residence. This will allow you to make an informed purchase. If issues are raised by the inspector, you can then renegotiate the purchase price, have the corrections made or, in some cases, withdraw your promise to purchase.