Coquitlam has more variety than its suburban reputation suggests. There is an old mill-town core, large areas of houses from the 1970s through the 1990s, new construction climbing Burke Mountain, and condo towers by the SkyTrain.
| Area | Typical buildings | Usual focus |
|---|---|---|
| Maillardville and Fraser Mills | Early to mid-century houses, some heritage | Wiring, foundations, drains |
| Austin Heights, Ranch Park, Eagle Ridge | 1970s to 1990s houses | Roofs, Poly-B, aluminum wiring, suites |
| Westwood Plateau, Burke Mountain | 1990s to current subdivisions on slopes | Drainage, decks, warranty periods |
| Coquitlam Centre, Burquitlam, Lougheed | Towers and mid-rise | In-suite scope, strata documents |
Maillardville and the older core
Maillardville grew around the mills, settled by French-Canadian families early in the 20th century. Some of its houses date from that period and from the decades after. They can be small, built to modest standards, and altered. We look at foundations, floor levels, old wiring, galvanized supply and old drain lines, and the roofs.
1970s to 1990s houses
A large share of Coquitlam's houses went up in this period. Two-storey and split-level houses with attached garages, often with a basement suite.
- Aluminum wiring in houses from roughly the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s.
- Panels from the period, including brands that have drawn concern. See old wiring and panels.
- Poly-B supply pipe in houses from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. See Poly-B plumbing.
- Roofs. Many are on their second or third roof by now, and cedar shakes are still around.
- Crawl spaces. Shallow crawl spaces under additions and some main floors, which can be damp. See crawl space moisture.
New builds on the hill
Westwood Plateau and Burke Mountain are the area's newer neighbourhoods, with big, recent houses on sloped lots. The houses are modern, with large decks, flat roof sections, and mechanical ventilation. Because they are young, many are inside their warranty periods. We look at drainage, decks and flashing details, and we check how the ventilation works. See new home and warranty-period inspections.
Slopes and drainage
Much of Coquitlam's growth is on a slope. Retaining walls, terraced lots, and water running downhill are everyday matters. We look at the grading, the walls, the downspouts and the foundation for cracks and stains on the uphill side. Larger walls and signs of movement are for an engineer.
Condos
Coquitlam Centre, Burquitlam and the Lougheed area have a lot of recent towers and mid-rise buildings, along with 1980s and 1990s townhouse complexes and low-rise buildings. For the older buildings, see leaky condos. The unit is the job, and the building is in the documents. See condo and townhouse inspections.
Suites
Secondary suites are common. We note what we can see and cannot say whether a suite is legal. That is a question for the City and your lawyer.
Booking in Coquitlam
Phone or send a request with the address, the year built, and your subject date. We travel to you.