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Pre-purchase building-health portrait · RSBQ

Before buying a home: document the building’s health conditions too

A pre-purchase inspection remains essential, but it is generally visual. The RSBQ Portrait organizes a specialized investigation proportionate to the building’s age, materials, history, water supply, uses and future occupants.

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RSBQ professional fieldwork — Pre-purchase building-health portrait · RSBQ

A specialist complement, not a replacement

The protocol starts with available records, an interview, source-oriented inspection and trigger matrix. It does not replace the home inspector, laboratory or regulated expertise that may be required.

  • Seller disclosure and loss history
  • Age, renovations and materials
  • Ventilation, combustion and garage
  • Moisture, odours and growth indicators
  • Water source and plumbing
  • Work planned after purchase

Eight modules in one portrait

Each module is declared assessed, not triggered, limited or pending. This transparency prevents a short visit from being presented as a whole-building guarantee.

  • Indoor air and ventilation
  • Moisture and mould
  • Asbestos
  • Lead
  • Drinking water
  • Radon
  • Combustion and particles
  • Other site- or use-related risks

Two conclusion levels

P means Provisional Portrait: some analyses or long-term measurements are pending. C means Completed Assessment: every triggered module has acceptable evidence or a clearly recorded limitation.

  • Urgent purchase decisions flagged separately
  • Justified sampling and chain of custody
  • Contextual interpretation of results
  • Corrective actions ranked by priority
  • No guarantee that a contaminant is absent

RSBQ field guide · Building and operations

Questions a serious file should answer.

Context determines the method. These guideposts help distinguish a structured investigation from a simple collection of results.

01

What is the actual use?

Occupancy, schedules, vulnerability, processes and sensitive areas determine applicability.

02

Which systems connect areas?

Air, water, drainage, garages, shafts, elevators and enclosure may transfer contaminants.

03

Who controls each asset?

Owner, manager, tenant, employer, contractor and professional.

04

What makes follow-up durable?

Records, maintenance, complaints, trends, construction, re-occupancy and reassessment.

Minimum deliverables
  • Assignment and assessed areas
  • Method and conditions
  • Competence and instruments
  • Results and observations
  • Limitations and uncertainty
  • Decision, correction and follow-up

RSBQ · Québec · Canada

A clear scope. A verifiable status.

Explore the RSBQ accreditation process or verify a published record.

View the process