Alberta government establishes Home Inspector standards.

[Vern Mitchinson]

As of 1:30 PM MT The Alberta government has announced that Home Inspectors in Alberta will be regulated. Go to http://alberta.ca/acn/201105/30398E54ACD32-D2FE-E300-6C6E9C6A37708D50.html for details.

[James H. Bushart]

According to the newspaper, CMIs are grandfathered. This is going to break some hearts. LOL.

The law is written even more explicitly....to the shame of many critics....

Inspectors are automatically qualified for a licence if they hold a Registered Home Inspector designation from the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors; or a Certified Master Inspector designation from the Master Inspector Certification Board, Inc., affiliated with the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

[Nick Gromicko]

Inspectors are automatically qualified for a licence if they hold a Registered Home Inspector designation from the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors; or a Certified Master Inspector designation from the Master Inspector Certification Board, Inc., affiliated with the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

NICE VERN!!!!!

Go Certified Master Inspectors!!!!

[Mike G. Howard, CMI]

Here's some other background info.

May 12, 2011

Government establishes standards for home inspectors

As of September 1, 2011, home inspection businesses and individual home inspectors must obtain a licence from the provincial government.

Qualifications for a home inspector licence
* Inspectors must have a degree, diploma or certificate in home inspection from an approved educational institution and successfully complete a test inspection. The government currently recognizes the Carson Dunlop & Associates curriculum offered by SAIT and will evaluate other courses that become available in Alberta.
* Inspectors are automatically qualified for a licence if they hold a Registered Home Inspector designation from the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors; or a Certified Master Inspector designation from the Master Inspector Certification Board, Inc., affiliated with the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
* Inspectors who do not meet these requirements may apply for a conditional licence valid until March 31, 2013 to give them time to acquire the necessary qualifications.

Standards for home inspections
The Home Inspection Business Regulation establishes basic requirements that home inspections must include, unless the consumer specifically agrees otherwise. Inspections must address the condition of a home’s:
* Roofing, flashings or chimney;
* Exterior, including lot gradings, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, patios and decks;
* Structure;
* Electrical;
* Heating, heat pumps and cooling;
* Insulation;
* Plumbing; and
* Interior.

Inspectors can make recommendations on any deficiencies they identify, such as suggesting the consumer obtain an expert opinion, but are prohibited from estimating the cost of any repairs or improvements.

[Wand Raymond]

Interesting to note NACHI is not approved in the initial legislation, only CMI. How soon will NACHI be applying to the licencing body to have itself recognized as meeting the requirements of the legislation vis-a-vis Nachi recognized courses?

Either there will be many members of Nachi purchasing a CMI otherwise Nachi has not been recognized.

Comments?

My other note of interest is the legislation prevents inspectors from providing repair costs. I think this is a detriment to the public.

[Nick Gromicko]

I love that Certified Master Inspectors are automatically qualified for a home inspector license in Alberta. Now that's what I call "government recognized!"

Next stop is Ontario.

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by gromicko

I love that Certified Master Inspectors are automatically qualified for a home inspector license in Alberta. Now that's what I call "government recognized!"

Next stop is Ontario.

In other words, screw the other 100 to 200 iNACHI members in Alberta ??? These are the people who got you in some doors in Alberta and you are gleefully throwing them under the bus.

According to the CMI website, there are only fifteen CMI's in Alberta, although I suspect this will increase substantially overnight as you annoint anyone with $ 1,000. and a flashlight.

Bill Mullen

[James H. Bushart]

I feel your pain ... but am reminded of the weeks of advance notice that all who were eligible to apply for the CMI designation were given prior to the rate increase.

But ... I think it could have been your advice, or MacNeish or others, that misled them to believe that it would be of no use to them.

Did you lie to them ... or were you just wrong?

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jbushart

According to the newspaper, CMIs are grandfathered. This is going to break some hearts. LOL.

The law is written even more explicitly....to the shame of many critics....

Sometimes people get it right but sometimes they also get it WRONG!!!! Guess I'll have to start talking to gov folks in Alberta......may be better than spending time here!!!

Was getting photos printed this AM for a client and was asked by the counter attendant about HI.....told him about no licensing here, overnight certification, 3 year masters....you should have seen his face.....much worse than disbelief...."shock" would be about correct!! When explained plainly to folks (even a grocery store clerk) without spin.......they see the problem!!

I really like the fact that the "weasel" clause has been outlawed!!! ....wonder what may happen to E&O insurance rates for HI's there??? Nothing to hide behind now!!

LET'S SEE..........BC has banned realtors from recommending HI's .......Alberta has banned the weasel clause.........HI industry is still in its adolescence and eventually will mature and all come together.!!

PS......I believe that this is the first time that CMI has been recognized in a jurisdiction....so sad that it is in my country! Funny it was not recognized by any jurisdiction in the US, but essentially only "trademarked" which carries no weight in local jurisdictions when they regulate. A mistake was made by newbie regulators.....plain and simple!!

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

.....may be better than spending time here!!!

Your influence in both places has been so obviously underwhelming ... I don't think anyone would notice, either way.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Your influence in both places has been so obviously underwhelming ... I don't think anyone would notice, either way.

So I guess a lot of Alberta NACHI newbies are going to be taking a lot of courses to get their CMI in the next few years to meet the "1000" mark......925 CEU's and 75 inspections.......LOLOLOLOLOL!!!

[Nick Gromicko]

Ontario is next. Become a CMI soon.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by Wand Raymond

Interesting to note NACHI is not approved in the initial legislation, only CMI. How soon will NACHI be applying to the licencing body to have itself recognized as meeting the requirements of the legislation vis-a-vis Nachi recognized courses?

Either there will be many members of Nachi purchasing a CMI otherwise Nachi has not been recognized.

Comments?

Buying a designation is about right on!! Sad, Isn't it??

Swearing your experience for an affidavit before some low level gov official is laughable......hell people lie on the witness stand before judges and after swearing on the bible!!! Defendable......hardly!!

[Nick Gromicko]

Swearing your experience for an affidavit before some low level gov official is laughable

I agree. That is why CMI requires documented proof of 3 years experience. This from the CMI website:

a. a copy of your government-issued inspector's license demonstrating that you were an inspector as of three or more years ago; or

b. a copy of your business license demonstrating that you were an inspector as of three or more years ago; or

c. evidence that demonstrates that you were a member of an inspection association as of three or more years ago; or

d. a copy of the first page of your inspection business federal tax return from three or more years ago; or

e. a copy of a DBA document demonstrating that you were an inspector as of three or more years ago; or

f. three signed letters from business people or past clients stating that you were an inspector as of three or more years ago.

Next stop... Ontario!

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by gromicko

I agree. That is why CMI requires documented proof of 3 years experience. This from the CMI website:

Next stop... Ontario!

Congratulations, Nick.