Ask A Home Inspector

Before The Inspection

Do not settle for the first home inspector that pops up on your Google search? Take some time to talk to the home inspectors beforehand so that you can find the best one for you. So you already have one lined up once you find a home.  Here are some questions to ask before the inspection:

• What do you check?
• What do you not check?
• How long have you been an inspector?
• What do you charge?
• How long will an inspection take?
• Can I come with you?

During The Meeting

Attending your home inspection is always a good idea so that you can see what the inspector is looking at and ask any questions right away. A home inspector's report is often highly technical, and it can be hard to decipher; it is much easier if the inspector can just tell you what is wrong.

The crucial questions to ask during the home inspection:

• What does that mean?
• How big of an issue is this?
• What is that (suspected issue), and does it need to be repaired?
• What are your main concerns about the house?

After The Inspection

Now that the inspection is finished, there are a few more questions you can ask the inspector. The reports they give can look intimidating, and you may need to check with them on certain issues in the report to ensure you do not need to worry about them.

• These are some of the important questions to ask:
• Can you clarify [issue]?
• What specific problems concern you, and approximately how much will they cost to repair?
• Is there anything I will need to do immediately after I move it?
• Do I need to have another expert come in for a follow-up inspection?

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/kenilworth/articles/questions-to-ask-a-home-inspector

BC Government strengthen the home inspection profession under the Professional Governance Act

The BC Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General has recently sent out a notice to Home Inspectors in the province inviting feedback about a proposal to shift from a licensing model under Consumer Protection BC (2009) to a professional governance model (2019), with government oversight under the Professional Governance Act (PGA). 

Note: Last year, the PGA created a Superintendent of Professional Governance that oversees the five regulated professions, including:

• BC Institute of Agrologists;
• Applied Science and Technologist s & Technicians of BC;
• College of Applied Biology;
• Engineers and Geoscientists BC; and
• Association of BC Forest Professionals.

8 Jan 2020

Dear Home Inspector:

Government has committed to improving the regulatory model to strengthen the home inspection profession and promote consumer confidence in home inspections.

We would like to hear your views about a proposal to shift from a licensing model under Consumer Protection BC to a professional governance model, with government oversight under the Professional Governance Act.

Details about the proposal are set out in the consultation paper, found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/buying-and-selling-property/improving-consumer-confidence-home-inspections-intentions-paper-final-jan-7-2020.pdf

Please send your responses to the discussion questions to PSSG-CPPO@gov.bc.ca by January 31, 2020. 

Thank you in advance for sharing your views.

Regards,

Corporate Policy and Planning Office

Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General


Here are the questions to the licensed home inspectors:
1. Please provide your views on a move to a professional governance model for home inspectors, under the Professional Governance Act. 
2. How would a shift to a professional governance model affect your home inspection business? 
3. What steps would you recommend to ensure a smooth transition to a professional governance model? 
4. Please provide any additional comments or questions you have about the proposal.

Protecting Yourself for Spring Home Inspection in BC

Daniel Leung is an Applied Science Technologist and Certified Home Inspector. 

He is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin and is an inspection instructor at BCIT.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/03/07/1750011/0/en/Protecting-Yourself-for-Spring-Home-Inspection-in-BC.html

How to become a Home Inspector - Education at BCIT, Mentorship at ASTTBC, Licensing at CPBC

Become a House Inspector

BCIT offers a series of six courses in the house and property inspection fields that together comprise a program in House Inspection. Subject areas include:  roofing, flashing, chimneys, the exterior system, the structural system, the electrical system, the heating and cooling systems, the insulation and venting systems, the plumbing system, and the interior system.

Students must successfully complete the following six courses to be eligible for a statement of completion in the House Inspection program:

Course Name	Prerequisite/s
BLDC 1500 Building Code Part 9 (SFD)	none
BLDG 2915 House Inspection 1	English 12 or equivalent
BLDG 2925 House Inspection 2	BLDC 1500, BLDG 2915 and English 12 or equivalent
BLDG 2935 House Inspection 3: Report	BLDC 1500, BLDG 2915, BLDG 2925 and English 12 or equivalent
BLDG 2945 House Inspection 4: Field Inspection	BLDC 1500, BLDG 2915, BLDG 2925 and BLDG 2935
BLDC 3050 Building Envelope Performance	none

This program meets the requirements of the BC Consumer Protection Office as an approved Home Inspector Educational Program according to Section 3 of the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation.
This program also meets the academic requirements of Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) for their Certified House Inspector (CHI) and Certified Property Inspector (CPI) designations. A final grade of 70 percent in each course is required by ASTTBC.

Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.

HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED HOUSE INSPECTOR AT ASTTBC-PI

2015 ASTTBC-PI Certification Policy

ASTTBC-PI is an institute established under the provisions of the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians (ASTT) Act, to represent the professionally certified house and property inspectors in British Columbia. Think of it as ASTTBC-PI under the umbrella of ASTTBC.

Membership is required in ASTTBC-PI.  To apply, please visit www.asttbcapply.ca

• Certification by that organization.

Once a member has received the CHI(P) Provisional Certified House Inspector they qualify under the Government mandate to be licensed. Once the license has be received the member can undertaken inspection services with the public for a fee. See steps to certification.

• Obtaining Insurance.

ASTTBC-PI Insurance Provider is Willis Canada. Use the contact number below for all the information you will need for acquiring the necessary insurance. All applicants must submit confirmation of insurance with their application to the Consumer Protection BC (CPBC).

It must be noted that ASTTBC-PI Inspectors enjoy the lowest premiums in the province due to the highest quality of performance reflecting the lowest claim rate.

Willis Canada Inc.
1500 – 1095 West Pender St.
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2M6
Tel: (604) 683-6831 Email: ASTTBC.insurance@willis.com
Toll Free: 1 (800) 665-5252
Fax: (604) 683-5746
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

• Application for Government Licensing -Please visit Consumer Protection BC to apply for a license.
• Welcome aboard, you can count on ASTTBC-PI for assistance at each stage of your journey.

Home inspections Licensing at CPBC

By law, anyone who engages in home inspection activity needs a licence. Generally speaking, a home inspection is a visual (and typically non-invasive) inspection of a residential home or property.

Read the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act.
Read the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation.

How to get licensed

You are required to provide the following to be licensed.
https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/get-keep-licence/home-inspections/

Step 1: Complete your education

Step 2: Pass the exam

Step 3: Meet the training requirement

Step 4: Provide a peer recommendation letter

Step 5: Provide proof of registration or incorporation

Step 6: Provide a municipal business licence

Step 7: Complete a criminal record check

Step 8: Set up and maintain liability insurance

Step 9: Apply for a licence  

Step 10: Read and understand your obligations