Between the accepted offer and the day you get the keys, four professionals are almost always involved: the notary, the home inspector, the appraiser hired by the lender and, sometimes, the title insurer. Their fees aren't regulated: they vary with the property, the region and the professional. Here's what to expect, so you can budget without unpleasant surprises.
Notary fees in Quebec when buying a home
What it covers. In Quebec, the notary handles the closing. They check the property titles, prepare and register the deed of sale and, if you're borrowing, the hypothec (mortgage) deed. They also calculate the tax adjustments between you and the seller, receive the funds and pay them out to the right people.
Who chooses and pays. Generally, the buyer chooses the notary and pays their fees and disbursements.
How much. For a purchase with a mortgage, expect roughly $1,500 to $3,000, fees and disbursements included.
What drives the bill up. A more complex file: a condo, several buyers or lenders, a title issue to resolve, tight deadlines. Compare quotes that include the same items.
Home inspection cost
What it covers. The inspector visually examines the building — structure, roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, heating — and gives you a report. That report lets you renegotiate or withdraw under the terms of your inspection condition, which usually lasts 7 to 10 days.
Who orders and pays. The buyer, as soon as the promise to purchase is accepted.
How much. For a house, typically $500 to $900, as a rough guide. For a condo, it's usually less, since part of the building is the responsibility of the syndicate of co-owners.
What drives the price up. The size of the home, the age of the building, the number of units and any additional services you add.
Choosing your inspector. A certificate from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) will become mandatory for home inspectors as of October 1, 2027. Until then, check that the inspector belongs to a professional association and carries liability insurance. The role of each professional →
Home appraisal cost
What it covers. The appraiser estimates the property's market value on behalf of the lender, which wants to make sure the home is worth at least the amount being lent. It's not an inspection: an appraisal tells you nothing about the condition of the roof or the foundation.
Who orders and pays. The lender orders it during the financing condition. The cost is often covered by the lender; if not, it's billed back to you.
How much. As a rough guide, $350 to $900 when you're the one paying. Ask your lender or mortgage broker at the pre-approval stage.
Title insurance and the certificate of location
Title insurance is optional protection, paid once, against certain problems with the property's title. Expect from about $375, as a rough guide. Ask your notary what it covers and what it excludes before deciding whether it's useful to you.
The certificate of location, prepared by a land surveyor, describes the property and its position relative to the lot boundaries and applicable regulations. The seller usually provides an up-to-date one: confirm this in the promise to purchase. If you ever had to have one prepared, the 2026 suggested rate from the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (Quebec's professional order of land surveyors) is about $1,630 for a single-family house in an urban area.
Summary of price ranges
| Service | Usually paid by | Rough guide |
|---|---|---|
| Notary (purchase with a mortgage) | Buyer | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Pre-purchase inspection (house) | Buyer | $500 to $900 |
| Appraisal required by the lender | Often the lender | $350 to $900 |
| Title insurance (optional) | Buyer, if chosen | from about $375 |
| Certificate of location | Usually the seller | — |
Saving money without cutting your protection
- Ask two or three notaries for quotes, and check that they include the same items (fees, disbursements, hypothec deed).
- Don't skip the inspection to save a few hundred dollars: it's often the only way to uncover a costly problem before you're bound by the sale.
- Ask your lender, at the pre-approval stage, whether the appraisal fee is your responsibility.
- Confirm in the promise to purchase that the seller will provide an up-to-date certificate of location.
These amounts come on top of the welcome tax, the adjustments and the down payment. To add them all up, use the total closing costs calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much are notary fees when buying a house in Quebec?
For a purchase with a mortgage, expect roughly $1,500 to $3,000, fees and disbursements included. The price varies with the complexity of the file; ask for a written quote.
How much does a home inspection cost?
A pre-purchase home inspection typically costs $500 to $900 as a rough guide, and a little less for a condo. The size, the age of the building and any added services affect the price.
Who pays for the home appraisal when buying?
The appraisal is required by the lender and often paid by it. If it's billed back to you, budget roughly $350 to $900.
