Écohabitation: Home Evaluation Service to Help You Protect Your Home Against Flooding

The City of Pointe-Claire, in partnership with Écohabitation, offers a personalized home evaluation service to homeowners who want to identify the most suitable measures to protect their homes against water infiltration and backflow.

This service helps you identify vulnerabilities within your property, determine the protective measures best suited to your situation, and plan the work that needs to be done.

Eligibility

The program is intended for homeowners in Pointe-Claire. Eligible properties are single-family or two-family homes listed on the property assessment roll.

To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Own an eligible residential property within City limits;
• Be up to date on their tax obligations to the City;
• Meet the eligibility criteria for the Financial Assistance Program for Stormwater Management and still have a sufficient amount of financial assistance available to cover the cost of the support services;
• Obtain the required permits or certificates, if applicable.

The following are not eligible: commercial, industrial, or institutional buildings; buildings with three or more residential units; vacant lots without a residential building; and work that began before the application was submitted.

What Does Écohabitation’s Service Include? 

Every home is different. The causes of water infiltration and the solutions for reducing the risks can vary depending on the characteristics of the building and the site.

With Écohabitation’s guidance, you can get a work plan that includes personalized recommendations to help you better understand your home’s vulnerabilities and the steps you can take to protect it.

This service can help you:

• Identify vulnerabilities in your home;
• Learn about protective measures required for your situation;
• Get a personalized work plan;
• Obtain technical information about the proposed interventions.

Depending on your case, you may also be eligible for additional services:

• Have your questions answered by professionals;
• Obtain assistance in reviewing the bids received from contractors.

How Do I Get the Home Evaluation Service?

Follow these steps to access the services offered by our partner Écohabitation and receive a personalized work plan to minimize the impacts of backflow and water infiltration.

1. Fill out the diagnostic form

You will need to fill out a form detailing the characteristics of your home and submit the requested documents and photos.

This information allows Écohabitation to better understand your situation and the characteristics of your property in order toidentify the elements that need to be analyzed.

2. Get a personalized work plan

After reviewing your application, Écohabitation will provide you with a personalized work plan that includes, among other things:

• The identified vulnerabilities;
• The proposed protective measures;
• The technical and regulatory considerations related to the recommended actions;
• Key information to provide to contractors when requesting bids.

Écohabitation’s experts will also answer your questions about your work plan.

3. Plan your renovation project

Once you have reviewedÉcohabitation’s recommendations and identified the measures you wish to implement, take the necessary steps to prepare for your project according to your specific situation:

• Check whether you need to obtain a permit to carry out your work;
• Submit an applicationto the Financial Assistance Program for Stormwater Management on Residential Properties to see if your project qualifies;
• Request bids from contractors;
• Wait until you have obtained your permit and the City’s approval for financial assistance before beginning the work, if applicable.

4. Have your bids reviewed, if necessary

If you are unfamiliar with contractors’ bids, Écohabitation can help analyze the bids you receive. This will allow you to better understand the proposed work and identify the right contractor for your project.

To submit a request to have your bids reviewed, fill in the Écohabitation form. 

5. Get your projects done

Once you have defined your project and obtained the necessary permits, you can proceed with the work using the professionals you have selected.

Cost of the Support Service

Écohabitation’s services and advice are funded directly by the City of Pointe-Claire. However, their cost is deducted from the maximum financial assistance of $5,000 provided under the Financial Assistance Program for Stormwater Management on Residential Properties.

The cost varies depending on the level of assistance required for your case.

The cost of the support services can total up to $1,890 per residence if all services are used.

Case example

If your case includes the evaluation of the application form and the provision of a personalized work plan ($540) as well as support for analyzing bids ($360), the total cost of the service will be $900.

This amount will be deducted from the maximum financial assistance of $5,000. A maximum of $4,100 will then remain available for other expenses eligible under the program.

Site Visit of Your Property

Site visits are not routinely conducted.

They may be required at the discretion of Écohabitation and the City when a case is deemed complex and a site visit is necessary to develop a personalized work plan. If applicable, the cost of the visit is $990 and is deducted from the maximum available financial aid.

About Écohabitation

Écohabitation is a nonprofit organization specializing in sustainable housing that helps homeowners identify vulnerabilities in their homes, choose appropriate protective measures, and prepare for work aimed at improving their property’s resilience to flooding.