Choosing a Home Inspector
'Captions from CMHC' One of the best ways to understand about a home’s condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. A pre-purchase inspection for a 1,800 to 2,200 sq. ft. home typically costs around $500. CMHC recommends that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience. Home inspection is a discipline that requires special training, knowledge and communication skills. However, there is presently no mandatory certification and no legislated requirement for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a home inspector. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely. Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or regional industry association. These associations have set standards, which, in some cases, are recognized by provincial governments. Some associations have developed membership categories based on the individual members’ qualifications. In most provinces, a member cannot advertise or promote his or her membership in the association until they have reached the minimum standards of a practicing member. Standards may vary from province to province. The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) with the support of CMHC, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Construction Sector Council, developed a voluntary national accreditation and certification program to help ensure the competency and professionalism of home inspectors. Home inspectors who have met the requirements of this national certification program are designated National Certificate Holders.
One of the best ways to understand about a home’s condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. A pre-purchase inspection for a 1,800 to 2,200 sq. ft. home typically costs around $500. CMHC recommends that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience. Home inspection is a discipline that requires special training, knowledge and communication skills. However, there is presently no mandatory certification and no legislated requirement for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a home inspector. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely. Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or regional industry association. These associations have set standards, which, in some cases, are recognized by provincial governments. Some associations have developed membership categories based on the individual members’ qualifications. In most provinces, a member cannot advertise or promote his or her membership in the association until they have reached the minimum standards of a practicing member. Standards may vary from province to province. The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) with the support of CMHC, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Construction Sector Council, developed a voluntary national accreditation and certification program to help ensure the competency and professionalism of home inspectors. Home inspectors who have met the requirements of this national certification program are designated National Certificate Holders.
A pre-purchase inspection for a 1,800 to 2,200 sq. ft. home typically costs around $500. CMHC recommends that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience. Home inspection is a discipline that requires special training, knowledge and communication skills. However, there is presently no mandatory certification and no legislated requirement for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a home inspector. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely. Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or regional industry association. These associations have set standards, which, in some cases, are recognized by provincial governments. Some associations have developed membership categories based on the individual members’ qualifications. In most provinces, a member cannot advertise or promote his or her membership in the association until they have reached the minimum standards of a practicing member. Standards may vary from province to province. The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) with the support of CMHC, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Construction Sector Council, developed a voluntary national accreditation and certification program to help ensure the competency and professionalism of home inspectors. Home inspectors who have met the requirements of this national certification program are designated National Certificate Holders.
CMHC recommends that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience.
Home inspection is a discipline that requires special training, knowledge and communication skills. However, there is presently no mandatory certification and no legislated requirement for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a home inspector. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely.
Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or regional industry association. These associations have set standards, which, in some cases, are recognized by provincial governments. Some associations have developed membership categories based on the individual members’ qualifications. In most provinces, a member cannot advertise or promote his or her membership in the association until they have reached the minimum standards of a practicing member. Standards may vary from province to province.
The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) with the support of CMHC, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Construction Sector Council, developed a voluntary national accreditation and certification program to help ensure the competency and professionalism of home inspectors. Home inspectors who have met the requirements of this national certification program are designated National Certificate Holders.
Tracy Gosling, Owner/Inspector
Professionally Licensed Building Inspector
Province of British Columbia, BPCPA # 47579
(Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority of BC)