Professional Soil Testing for Residential and Commercial Properties in Montreal, North Shore and South Shore
Why Choose Multitest for Soil Testing?
At Multitest, we offer comprehensive soil testing services for homeowners, businesses, and construction projects across Montreal, Laval (North Shore), South shore and Greater Montreal. Whether you're planning a new build, landscaping project, or environmental assessment, our soil analysis ensures your site meets safety and regulatory standards.
We Are Certified Experts in Soil Analysis
We have extensive experience in soil composition testing, contamination analysis, and geotechnical assessments, ensuring compliance with Quebec’s safety and environmental regulations.
What Types of Soil Tests Do We Provide?
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Environmental soil contamination testing (heavy metals, toxins, pollutants).
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Geotechnical soil analysis (compaction, permeability, foundation stability).
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Nutrient and pH testing for agriculture and landscaping.
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Phase 1, 2 and 3 environmental site assessments.
Fast and Detailed Results You Can Trust
Our advanced laboratory provides precise and rapid testing, so you receive reliable results within days, helping you move forward with your project efficiently.
Why is Soil Testing Important?
Soil testing is essential for determining soil composition, contamination levels, and structural stability before any major project. It is a key component of both environmental studies and geotechnical studies, which are necessary for land development, property transactions, and regulatory compliance.
How Soil Quality Affects Construction and Landscaping
Soil properties impact foundation stability, drainage, and plant growth. Testing prevents future complications such as erosion, waterlogging, and settlement issues in Montreal, Laval, and South Shore projects.
Common Soil Issues in Montreal and Surrounding Areas
Many areas in Greater Montreal experience contaminated soil, high clay content, and compaction issues. Identifying these problems early ensures safer, more sustainable developments.
Signs You May Need Soil Testing
If your property in Montreal, the North Shore or the South Shore shows signs of poor plant growth, drainage issues, or soil erosion, it may indicate contamination or nutrient deficiencies. Professional soil testing can help assess environmental risks and ensure safe conditions for construction, landscaping, or agriculture.
Planning a Construction or Landscaping Project
Before breaking ground, ensure that your soil is stable, free of contaminants, and suitable for your project. We provide geotechnical soil testing for residential, commercial, and industrial sites in Montreal and surrounding regions.
Environmental Study and Geotechnical Study
Soil testing is a critical part of both environmental studies and geotechnical studies, which help assess land for safety and compliance.
Our Soil Testing Process: Accurate and Reliable
Environmental Study
Determines contamination levels, pollutant presence, and soil quality for real estate transactions, industrial compliance, and environmental impact assessments. During our environmental study, we follow a 3-phase process to ensure detailed and accurate soil analysis.
Geotechnical Study
Evaluates soil strength, load-bearing capacity, and stability to support safe construction and land development projects.
How Long Does Soil Testing Take?
Standard soil testing results are available within 5 to 10 business days, with rush options for urgent projects.
Environmental Study
Environmental Site Assessments
Our specialists’ environmental reports are accepted by ALL lenders and are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
Multitest as well as these specialists are covered by errors and omissions liability insurance.
PHASE I
Historical study of environmental risks (ESA - phase I)
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Starting cost: $1,570
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Turnaround time: report in 4 to 5 weeks, subject to exceptions
What is the purpose of ESA - phase I ?
Phase I is generally required by lenders and buyers for commercial and multi-residential (5 units and more) properties. It consists of a historical study of the potential environmental risks related to a property; it can be more than 100 years in the past until today. The necessary research is done using 10 to 15 different information sources (Opta Information Intelligence, Québec land register, Énergir, etc.).
The study must conclude whether the land may have been contaminated, and if so, by what kind of activity. To verify the presence of contamination a Phase II environmental site assessment will be recommended.
PHASE II
Soil characterization
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Cost: depends on the number of samples and analysis
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Turnaround time: report in 2 to 3 weeks after fieldwork
What is the purpose of ESA - phase II or soil characterization ?
Soil characterization consists of taking one or more soil and/or groundwater samples, performing a laboratory analysis, and determining the presence of contamination that exceeds acceptable limits according to the use of the property concerned.
The number of samples, sampling location, parameters to be analyzed, and the drilling depth are based on the risks identified in Phase I. The cost of Phase II testing depends on these factors. It is therefore not possible to predict the cost of Phase II testing without first completing Phase I.
For example, a simple case like a risk of an aboveground storage tank (AST) for heating oil, for the Montréal area and its surrounding suburbs, could cost approximately $4,500; each file is different and the cost is therefore established on a case-by-case basis.
In some cases, a complementary Phase II study may be necessary if the analysis results indicate significant contamination that requires additional samples and/or analysis to accurately identify the extent of the contamination. This makes it possible to come up with a more accurate estimate of the soil remediation (also called rehabilitation) costs.
If the land is contaminated, the client may decide not to do anything (the report is confidential) or may decide to proceed with a soil remediation. It is usually the lender or potential buyer who will require the decontamination of the property.
PHASE III
Soil remediation (decontamination)
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Cost and turnaround time: established on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for a price quote
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Optional: Trace Québec management
What is the purpose of ESA - phase III or Soil Remediation (Decontamination) ?
Soil remediation (also called soil rehabilitation) consists in returning the soil to a condition that is within the acceptable criteria for its intended purpose. This is done through various techniques, such as: excavation and disposal of contaminated soil in authorized sites (also called ex-situ remediation), treatment of contaminated soil on site (also called in-situ remediation), phytoremediation (plant-based approach), etc.
The remediation cost depends on the extent of the contamination and the complexity of the work required (excavation in a crawlspace, work under foundations, etc.). It is pretty rare that to have remediation cost below 20,000$, while a more complicated case could cost a lot more (sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars).
Soil test for disposal
Soil sampling and analysis for disposal at an authorized centre.
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Optional: Trace Québec management
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Cost and turnaround time: established on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for a price quote
What is the purpose of a soil test for disposal?
The disposal of contaminated soil is regulated in Québec. When a contractor intends to dispose of excavated soil in an authorized centre, the centre will usually request a soil analysis beforehand to check one or several parameters, such as petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), or heavy metals (HMs).
Each authorized centre has its own requirements for test parameters and the number of samples required; it is therefore recommended that these requirements be checked beforehand.
The cost of the test depends on factors such as the number of samples, the parameters analyzed, and the required turnaround time to obtain the results.
Geotechnical Study
What is a Geotechnical Study?
Generally, the purpose of a geotechnical investigation is to determine the properties of the soil and rock, as well as the local groundwater conditions, in order to establish the geotechnical parameters of the site and to make recommendations for the design and construction of the proposed works.
There are several types of geotechnical studies covering aspects such as soil bearing capacity, slope stability, septic system installation and materials testing.
For all new projects, ask your City if this kind of expertise is mandatory to produce a permit of construction.
Soil Bearing Capacity
This study is used to determine the characteristics and composition of the soil under a proposed or existing building. This test determines if the soils of the site under study are suitable to receive a certain load (a building in many cases).
Generally, if the terrain is vacant, the equipment used is an excavator. And if the terrain is already built a drilling machine is required.
Slope Stability
This study is used to determine the characteristics of a slope in order to plan the location of a building or a proposed expansion. This test determines the areas at risk of landslides and may include the bearing capacity of the soil.
For example, in the Montréal area and its surrounding suburbs, a geotechnical investigation for slope stability can cost approximately $10,000 to $15,000 for “small” residential (single-family to approximately triplex), commercial, or industrial projects of up to 3 stories.
Septic System Installation
This study is used to determine the soil characteristics at the location of a proposed septic system (septic tank and leach field, which is also called drain field or absorption bed). This plan is used by a contractor to complete the proper installation of a septic system and associated facilities.
We do not offer this study anymore. Generally ask a specialized technician in your region instead of an engineer.
Materials Control and Other Tests
It is normally recommended to proceed to a qualitative control of the various stages of the construction in order to ensure the quality and the stability of a projected work. Multitest is able to carry out this aspect, such as:
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the inspection of the foundation soils before the concreting of the footings
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the control of the backfilling, (with nucleodensimeter), compacting, concreting, paving, etc.
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the quality and resistance of the concrete (for example, to check the state of the foundation walls of a building).
Please contact us according to your needs.
What is the Cost and turnaround time for a Geotechnical Study?
COST
Established on a case-by-case basis. For example, in the Montréal area and its surrounding suburbs, a geotechnical investigation for soil bearing capacity can cost approximately $5,000 to $10,000 for “small” residential (single family to approximately triplex), commercial or industrial projects of up to 3 stories.
TURNAROUND TIME
Established on a case-by-case basis. Normally, a report is provided approximately 30 working days after the work field.
Quality and credibility for Our Geotechnical Studies
The geotechnical studies carried out by our chosen professionals are prepared and/or supervised by an engineer in accordance with the National Building Code, the standards of the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual and the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).
Multitest as well as these specialists are covered by errors and omissions liability insurance.
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Ensure Your Project’s Success by Contacting Us Today!
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For certified soil testing services in Montreal, North Shore and South Shore, contact Multitest today. Our expert team provides accurate analysis, rapid turnaround, and professional recommendations to ensure your project meets all safety and environmental standards.