Chronicles from our experts
Our blog articles allow you to learn more about construction and renovation. How to prevent problems with your building and how to fix them? Where to invest money and properly maintain your house or building? What are the myths and urban legends on housing that you may have heard ? Our inspectors and experts share their knowledge to enable you to make well-informed decisions.
Maintenance inspection: what is going on in your home?
If you own a home, you know there's always something to maintain or repair. Stay with us as we look at how a maintenance inspection can be an important tool in keeping your home in better shape, for longer.
Cigarette odor in the apartment: how to deal with the situation for good!
Imagine the following situation: you live in a condo or apartment and are sometimes invaded by a strong smell of tobacco. You have some work done to put an end to this situation, which, to your great misfortune, soon reoccurs. An unpleasant situation, isn't it? Well, that's exactly what one…
Attic: do not let this mysterious space make you sick
A study by Chalmers University found that 72% of homes with cold attics have excessive humidity and a strong presence of mold. In other words, only 1 in 4 houses does not have attic related problem. What about you, do you know if your attic is in good shape? Fortunately,…
Buying a first home? 3 new tips to follow so you won’t miss anything!
So it's official, you’ve decided to buy your first house. Beware! It is easy to get carried away by the sheer excitement of the moment, but much more difficult to stop and rationally assess the situation. And that's when bad decisions and problems occur. Read our article to discover 3…
What is the role of a building expert?
With the panoply of reports and articles that have appeared on the subject, there's no denying that the inspector's trade is much better known today than it was just a few years ago. But even today, the term home inspector is still too often a catch-all. Can you tell the…
Pre purchase home inspection: 3 common mistakes to avoid for a successful real estate transaction
The Quebec Federation of Real Estate Boards (QFREB) reveals that about thousands of units (house, condo, duplex, etc.) change hands in the three months before July 1 in the metropolitan area alone. Of all these buyers, too few realize what a pre-purchase inspection actually is and understand its value and…
DIYers: do not solve a problem by creating one worst
When she contacted us for a water infiltration problem, our client expected the problem to be solved in a jiffy. Unfortunately, water infiltration are often the result of another, deeper problem and this was exactly the case for our client. But the quick response of our client allowed her to…
Sell your house fast and easily: 3 tips to reduce your stress
Your family’s growing or your eldest son’s leaving the nest, and you’ve decided to move. So you put your current home for sell and quickly receive an enticing offer. That’s when the potential buyer mandates a pre-purchase inspector to check your house. This inspection reveals a major water leakage problem…
Contingency fund study: is the inspection necessary?
You own a condo and have been hearing about Bill 16 for some time now. You do some Internet research on the subject, then contact a few service companies to carry out your contingency fund study. You're amazed at the differences between the services on offer, and wonder: is inspection…
Hidden defect: The first 3 steps when a problem is discovered.
Mr. Lachance loves his new home. Settled in just over a year ago, he decided to remodel the basement. When he made an opening in a wall covering the foundation, he discovered that the concealed materials were completely rotten. Water infiltration seems to be responsible for the damage. What should…
Do I need to have the building’s condition assessed before I buy?
For the vast majority of us, buying a house is often the biggest purchase of our lives. But business owners and real estate investors must buy much larger buildings... and more expensive ones! That's when the question pops into their minds: should I have the condition of the building assessed…
Bad smell in your condo unit : the solution might not be where you think
Cooking odors, cigarette smoke or even vehicle exhaust: anyone who has ever lived in a condo or apartment knows full well the inconvenience that may cause odor diffusion problem. Often, after a short investigation, you realize that these odors come from a neighboring dwelling or underground garage. Read this review…
Water damage in a house: discover the consequences of sloppy work
Mandated for a problem of unpleasant odor in a kitchen, our expert was far from expecting this situation, so simple in appearance, to become one of our most complex of the season. And the customer even less. But if there is one thing that is confirmed with each case, it…
Water infiltration and condos: when cold symptoms lead to a building problem…
Our customers purchased their condominium unit in 2018. They quickly realized they were experiencing symptoms similar to a cold or allergies. It was after consulting their family doctors that their suspicions transferred from pollen to the building they lived in. Read our article (stay with us) and see how cold…
Multiplex inspection: 3 options for real estate investors
As everyone knows, buying a home is a major real estate investment - so major, in fact, that it's essential to take every precaution to ensure you make a wise purchase. You won't be surprised to learn that this is even truer when you're looking to buy a multiplex property.…
Hidden defect: what is a hidden defect in a house?
Did you know that the percentage of home sales without a legal warranty has jumped from 17% in 2014 to 26% in 2021? And when we add to that the similar increase in purchase offers without inspections, it's no wonder we're getting so many calls from new homeowners fearing they're…
What is the difference between an asset management plan and a contingency fund?
Maintenance schedule, asset management plan, contingency fund, maintenance booklet: it is certainly difficult to find one's way through the terminology surrounding the world of condominiums. We know from experience that many people rightly confuse the asset management plan with the contingency fund. Stay tuned as we sort out these concepts…
Home inspector or building expert: who does what?
When it comes to having a home inspection before you buy a new house, most people know that the professional you need is a home inspector. But when you are faced with a water infiltration problem in your house or condo, who should you refer to? Another inspector or an…
5 situations where an building expert can help you… without visiting you!
Are you planning major work on your home, but have some technical questions? You are confronted with water infiltration and would like to discuss it with a professional? There are several situations where it can be useful to discuss with a building expert without the need to travel. Read our…
3 common problems encountered when buying a cottage
Due to the size of the territory we cover, it often happens that our inspectors are called upon to inspect second homes for our clients. Unfortunately, many people still buy cottages without first having them inspected and some see their peaceful haven turn into a real nightmare... Whether you're at…
This summer, do your home maintenance inspection in 7 days!
A home is a significant financial investment, and for anyone who wants to ensure that this investment retains or increases in value over time, we sometimes need to take a moment to maintain our buildings. But no one wants to spend their vacation working on their home. That's why our…
Selling your home? Have it inspected before and avoid future problems
You've been thinking about it for a while now and it's finally time to take action: you’re putting your house up for sale. You clean it through and through, paint the living room and have an asking price in mind. But suddenly a doubt arises: do you know your house…
3 reasons for buying a Novoclimat house
Buying a home is a pivotal moment in the life of any home or condo owner. And when it comes time to buy a new home, any conscientious buyer will want to take every step to get the most out of their real estate investment. A great way to do…
Appraisal or inspection? Get the most for your money by choosing the right service
You've owned a magnificent bungalow in the greater metropolitan area for several years, but since the departure of your children, the house seems too big. So you're thinking of putting it up for sale. A friend suggests you call in a building inspector to find out the market value. But…
Failed renovations: a real case that had the effect of a cold shower
Imagine the following situation: You just had major renovations completed on your house, including the roof, when suddenly problems begin. Repetitive water infiltration forces you to spend thousands of dollars and contractors take turns without solving the problem definitively. Every expected rain raises your anxiety level as you fear further damage. You do not know…
Water damage: Avoid costly and harmful water damage to your house
Every year in Quebec, in spring, thousands of basements are flooded. The main cause: improper design and malfunction of the sump and its pump. Learn how to avoid cleaning costs and mold damage with simple tips and easy prevention methods explained by our experts.
5 things to consider when buying a second home
According to a 2021 report on recreational properties, one in four Canadians would consider buying a second home or cottage. This is due in part to the popularity of working remotely as well as the more affordable recreational property market compared to urban markets. Read our article as our home…
5 Tips to keep your basement from looking like a horror movie…
If you ask homeowners what the wettest place in their house is, chances are most of them will answer without hesitation: the basement. If you're one of them, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do about it. Read our article as our building experts present you with…
3 questions before buying a fixer upper home
It may seem interesting when choosing your next home to consider a "fixer upper" home to save a little money. This is even more true when the inventory of properties for sale is more limited, smaller. But not all fiser upper homes are created equal... Keep reading or watch our…
Contingency fund study: how to choose a trustworthy company?
You are an active member of your condominium corporation and you were mandated to learn about Bill 16 and contingency fund studies at your last meeting. You search the internet for a reliable company to conduct your study and, after visiting a few sites, you are more confused than before.…
3 reasons to take advantage of the exclusive My First Home program
Whether you choose a condo or a house, taking the plunge and buying your first home is never an easy decision. Neighbourhood, inspection, mortgages, insurance: there are many things to consider and weigh. Read our article as we share with you 3 reasons why it's worth taking advantage of our…
Attic ventilation : Your attic needs fresh air
With the presence of stains and mold spots on the wood and rust on the nails, our inspectors come to suspect the presence of high condensation in the attics of the houses they visit. This condensation can be caused by several elements including an exfiltration of hot and humid air…
Real estate investor: see how a good inspector can be a valued ally!
You are a real estate investor and you have a beautiful building in your sights. You evaluate the potential and decide to make an offer to purchase. Since time is of the essence, you decide not to call on the services of a professional inspector and opt instead to take…
Thermography: 5 myths explained by our experts
Each winter, while a Siberian wind is whistling outside, we are presented with the traditional news report on thermal imaging surveys. According the pseudo-experts who show us these funny red and blue images, there is almost nothing they cannot see with their camera. Yet, unless asking Superman for a favor, no thermal…
In-house survey: home inspection and building as seen by… you!
60: That's the number of home surveys that you - the faithful readers of our home capsule - have answered since the very first issue of our newsletter in April 2014. We asked you about a wide range of topics that are related to our field of interest, namely building.…
Energy efficiency | See the energy efficiency of our homes in a few figures
Did you know that according to Hydro-Quebec, heating and air conditioning alone are responsible for 54% of a home's energy costs? This is the main reason why energy efficiency is at the center of so many conversations, subsidy programs and the focus of our building contractors. Read our article as…
Is your house too big for you?
A friend of yours is getting ready to move from the house she's lived in for 35 years to a condo. After all, her children have long since left the nest, her neighbourhood has changed and her long-time acquaintances have moved away. What about you, have you ever considered that…
A blower door test, but what is it?
Did you know that there is such an effective tool that Transition énergétique Québec - the government corporation set up to administer several energy efficiency programs - has made it its main tool, among others, for the Rénoclimat and Novoclimat programs? And what if we told you that our experts…
5 common problems encountered when buying an old house
Older homes tend to offer residents a sturdier construction and aesthetically pleasing facades that you would be hard pressed to find in today's construction. But behind its exterior charm, an old house can hide a range of problems that can make many people regret their purchase. Stay with us as…
5 interesting facts about… mold!
During your spring cleaning, you discover mold on your window frames. You clean up the mold, install your screens and forget about it. At least until fall when you remove your screens for the cold season. What do you find on your window frames? You guessed it: mold. Clean up…
How well do you know your house? Play the game!
Did you know that since the beginning of the pandemic, the average value of our homes in Quebec has increased by more than 30%! In such a context, it is easy to understand why more and more homeowners want to better plan the work and invest in the right places.…
Is radon gas coming to your home?
Radon is an odorless gas found in the ground that comes from the natural decay of uranium. When this gas is released into the atmosphere and mixes with fresh air, its concentration is too low to be of concern. However, when radon infiltrates a home through cracks in foundation walls,…
Could a carbon monoxide detector save your life ?
Despite the awareness campaigns of recent years, it still happens too frequently that our inspectors discover, during their pre-purchase home inspection or other inspections, houses without a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Although not all homes require the presence of such a detection system, it is essential for everyone to know…
Beware of trees too close to your house
Presence of mature, deciduous trees near a building can cause various problems, depending on the tree type and soil.
Growing old in your own home. Is it possible?
"Aging at home" is the name given to the phenomenon describing the ability of older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Of course, people who age at home do not require the necessary support services such as those offered in specialized centers. That…
Post purchase inspection: when is it too late to get an inspection?
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average price of houses in the country has increased by 18% between 2020 and 2021. As we all know, the real estate market has been in turmoil lately and we have received hundreds of calls from clients who wanted a building inspection.…
5 tips to avoid being overwhelmed by your home inspection report
We know that it can be intimidating to read any large technical document and a home inspection report is no exception. The home inspection report is the only tangible item that will remain when the inspection is complete and it is what you will base your decision on whether or…
Not too near the ground, please!
When the threshold of a window is at or below ground level, the proximity of it may bring together the components of the window with soil moisture, thus promoting water infiltration and insects.
My pre inspected home Program: an idea that benefits everyone!
There's no denying that over the past few years the real estate market has surprised us with a whole range of unpredictable twists and turns. But did you know that there is a simple and accessible way to ensure that everyone gets the most out of a real estate transaction?…
Contingency fund study: do you know where the numbers come from?
You are a new condo owner and you decide to get involved in the management of your condo. You take a look at all the documents that you are given, including the contingency fund study, and your head quickly turns. You wonder how to find your way through all these…