Building & Structural Inspection

Building and Structural Inspection in Montreal

Metra Consultation provides structural inspection (inspection de structure) and building-condition assessment services for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-unit properties in Montréal and throughout Québec. Our engineers assess visible structural concerns and help determine whether repair, reinforcement, monitoring, calculations or further investigation are appropriate.

Structural inspections help owners, property managers, buyers, contractors, and developers understand the condition of a building, identify potential safety concerns, and determine whether repair, reinforcement, monitoring, or further investigation is required.

Our engineers combine visual observations, document review, measurements, and structural analysis to provide clear and practical recommendations. For cracking or movement concentrated at the foundation, see our foundation and crack inspection service. For planned structural modifications, openings or reinforcement design, see our structural engineering services in Montréal.

Our Services

Our building and structural inspection services may include:

• General structural condition assessments

• Inspection of foundations, walls, columns, beams, slabs, and roofs

• Investigation of cracking, settlement, deformation, or movement

• Assessment of water-related structural deterioration

• Review of corrosion, concrete delamination, and exposed reinforcement

• Inspection of wood decay, moisture damage, and framing deficiencies

• Assessment of steel corrosion, connection issues, and deformation

• Review of balconies, stairs, canopies, and exterior structures

• Inspection following fire, impact, flooding, or construction damage

• Evaluation before renovation, addition, or change of use

• Review of removed or modified load-bearing elements

• Structural capacity assessments

• Preparation of engineering reports and repair recommendations

• Construction review and follow-up inspections when required

Conditions We Assess

A structural inspection may be recommended when a building exhibits:

• Foundation, wall, slab, or ceiling cracks

• Uneven or sloping floors

• Doors or windows that no longer operate correctly

• Visible settlement or displacement

• Bowed, leaning, or out-of-plumb walls

• Sagging beams, roofs, or floors

• Concrete spalling or delamination

• Corroded steel or reinforcing bars

• Rot, moisture damage, or insect deterioration

• Unusual vibration or movement

• Damage following construction on an adjacent property

• Concerns about a load-bearing wall or structural alteration

Our Inspection Process

Our typical process includes:

1. Reviewing the client’s concerns and available documents

2. Inspecting accessible structural components

3. Recording defects, measurements, and relevant site conditions

4. Evaluating potential causes and structural significance

5. Determining whether testing, opening, monitoring, or analysis is required

6. Developing recommendations and priorities

7. Preparing a written engineering report when included in the mandate

The scope and limitations of the inspection are clearly defined. Concealed conditions cannot generally be confirmed without selective openings or additional investigation.

Testing and Further Investigation

Where visual inspection is insufficient, our engineers may recommend or coordinate:

• Crack or movement monitoring

• Concrete sounding

• Reinforcement detection

• Material testing

• Selective openings

• Survey measurements

• Foundation or soil investigation

• Structural analysis

• Load testing where appropriate

• Review by another specialized discipline

Integrated Engineering Support

Some building problems involve more than the structure alone. Foundation movement may be related to soil or drainage, concrete deterioration may be accelerated by water infiltration, and renovation work may conflict with civil or geotechnical conditions.

Metra Consultation coordinates structural, civil, geotechnical, and BIM expertise to evaluate the complete problem and develop practical repair solutions.

Deliverables

Depending on the mandate, deliverables may include:

• Summary of observed conditions

• Photographic documentation

• Assessment of structural significance

• Identification of immediate safety measures

• Recommended repairs or reinforcement

• Prioritization of corrective work

• Requirements for monitoring or further investigation

• Preliminary repair concepts

• Sealed engineering report when required

When Should You Request a Structural Inspection?

An engineering inspection can be useful when you observe new or progressive cracking, settlement, sloping floors, deformation, corrosion, water-related deterioration, or when previous structural work cannot be verified from available drawings. It may also be requested before renovation, purchase, repair work or a change in loading where the condition of the existing structure needs to be understood.

What to Send Before the Inspection

To help define the mandate, send the property address, a short description of the concern, photographs if available, and any existing structural drawings or previous engineering reports. This allows us to determine whether the first step should be a site inspection, document review, structural analysis or another specialized investigation.

Contact Us

Contact Metra Consultation for a structural inspection in Montréal or elsewhere in Québec if you have concerns regarding cracks, settlement, deterioration, structural modifications, or the general condition of a building.