You’re moving a shelf when you notice a suspicious stain at the bottom of a wall. Curious, you open up the wall and discover the cavity is damp and full of mold. Now you’re wondering: who should you contact? A building expert or a renovation contractor? Watch our video to hear what our experts have to say and better understand the difference between these two very distinct roles!

As a property owner, it’s common to encounter issues related to the building. The first question you should ask yourself is simple: do you know for sure what’s causing the problem?

Let’s look at a concrete example: during heavy rain, water seeps in through the bottom-left corner of a window. In this case, there’s no doubt that the window is the issue, and you can easily identify the source of the damage. When the cause is clear, the right move is to contact a renovation contractor. This is the qualified professional to carry out the necessary repairs. However, once on-site, the contractor may not know exactly how to fix the issue or install a new component. In such cases, they themselves may need to rely on the expertise of a specialist to guide them.

Things are different when the cause of the problem is unclear. For example, say you discover mold in the attic. The possible causes are many: warm, humid air infiltration, poor insulation, roof sealing defects, inadequate ventilation, etc. Without expertise, it’s impossible to determine the exact reason for the deterioration. In this kind of situation, it’s essential to call a building expert.

The building expert stands out thanks to their broader perspective. Unlike the renovation contractor, who primarily focuses on execution, the expert understands all phenomena related to the building. They are familiar with codes, standards, installation methods, and building science as a whole. This holistic approach allows them to identify the true cause of a problem, where a limited viewpoint would fall short.

Another major advantage: the building expert isn’t trying to sell you products or services. Their role is to offer an impartial and accurate diagnosis. For instance, in the case of attic mold, they won’t try to convince you to buy a new roof, add more insulation, or install an expensive ventilation system. They’ll give you a straight answer, clearly explaining the real causes of the issue.

Once this diagnosis has been made, you can then entrust the repairs to a renovation contractor. But this time, you’ll know exactly what needs to be fixed and how, because the expert’s recommendations will guide the work.

In short, the rule is simple: if the cause of the problem is clear, contact a renovation contractor. If the cause is uncertain, call a building expert. The expert provides clarity; the contractor executes. It’s this complementarity that ensures durable solutions tailored to the reality of your property.

When in doubt, contact us. Our experts offer a technical consultation service by phone, helping you determine right from the start which professional to contact when a problem arises!