Conflict of interest?

[dcook1]

This guy posted an Inspectors Wanted ad on the OAHI forum...http://proinspections.ca/

Here is what he has posted....
We are currently seeking individuals to fill positions as home inspectors. You must possess a solid understanding of Canadian homes and buildings and their related systems. You must be a confident, motivated self starter with the ability to solve technical problems and possess excellent people skills. You must be able to think creatively and have excellent communication skills with fluency in verbal and written English. You will receive training, and the majority of your time will be spent in the field performing inspections and working independently.

Please forward resumes to inspections@proinspections.ca

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edited by - Steven.Filliotis on 10/04/2007 15:03:19

On the website it states all home inspections are performed by professional Engineers. How many statements can you see that either show a conflict of interest or are outright misleading? Or show a cheap inspection firm?

[rwand1]

I don't see a conflict of interest, what I see is a firm stating they have an inspector who is an PEO. The problem is that no individual is listed/named. To me that is misleading. I believe PEO has a policy in regard to this sort of use.

Would you use an inspection firm who cannot list by name its inspectors? Unless the public specifically asks, how do you know the inspector they send out is an engineer? You assume it is because of the advertising. Not ethical in my opinion.

[rwand1]

Nor can I find any company/individual by that name in the OAHI website.

[rwand1]

http://www.peo.on.ca/Applications/1/...ForCofA_04.pdf

Advertising
Section 75 of Ontario Regulation 941 states:
“ A Member or holder of a temporary licence, a limited
licence or a certificate of authorization may advertise only,
(a) in a professional and dignified manner;
(b) in a factual manner without exaggeration;
(c) in a manner that does not directly or indirectly criticize
a Member or holder or an employer of a Member
or holder; and
(d) without reference to or use of the professional seal of the
Member or holder or the seal of the Association.
O.Reg. 538/84, s.89.”

When sufficient space is available, this qualifying statement
should accompany the PEO logo in your promotional
and business materials, subject to the following
guidelines:

The authorization statement
“Authorized by the Association of Professional Engineers
of Ontario to offer professional engineering services.”

[rwand1]

He is an RHI
And is a PEng
#90476920

http://members.peo.on.ca/cgi-bin/EPI...Form_Search.do

[dcook1]

Raymond,
My first posting is from his ad in the OAHI forum... It was first posted Oct 1 and nothing in hte post but "T"... I responded with i would like to buy a vowel... Oct 4 he edited the posting to readas above. ASking for anyone who is familiar with houses to send in a resume to inspect for him. His website advises all the companies inspections are certified as P-Eng. The first conflicting statements. Then his website talks about how as engineers they can address a problem by having a qualified engineer go onsite if needed. Hmmm does this conflict with OAHI guidelilnes?

I can see the conversation now.... Yes Mr Wand, you do have a problem. But our onstaff engineers can give you a qualified statement on the integrity of the structure tomorrow. Please show up at noon and bring your cheque book!

[dcook1]

Why should you choose Pro Home & Building Inspections for your home inspection?
SATISFACTION: Your satisfaction with our home inspection services is guaranteed or your inspection fee will be refunded.
QUALITY: Our home inspections are conducted by Licensed Professional Engineers, which ensures that you are dealing with the most qualified and accountable professional available.


When closing a deal for the purchase of a brand new home from a builder, you are required to inspect the home with a builder's representative on closing day. We can represent you during this stressful day and ensure the builder is delivering a defect free home that complies with the Ontario Building Code.


By law a Licensed Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) is the only one who can legally render an opinion on the structural stability of an existing building. Not every home inspector is a Licensed Professional Engineer. Make sure you request a "Licensed Professional Engineer" (P. Eng.) when you need a home inspection.

By law no individual can use the term engineer in any way to describe themselves unless they are a P. Eng. Be very wary of anyone who uses the term engineer and is not a P. Eng.

• What are the inspectors qualifications?
Your property inspection will be conducted by a Licensed Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) who has graduated from the civil engineering program at the University of Waterloo. Our inspectors are also associate members of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI). The "Pro" in our name really does mean that you will be dealing with a true professional. This is not what his ad says on the OAHI forum

The ad reads as follows...... You must possess a solid understanding of Canadian homes and buildings and their related systems.


I am missing the ethics of this company

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Carson Dunlop Inspectors are all PE ,but they also have a company I believe who are not PEs .
Also not all of C&D inspectors belong to OAHI.
I wonder is this company trying to do the same thing .
Could it be they are just a little lax in keeping their web site up to date . CAHI has been changed to CAHPI for some tile now .
Also the C&D report book they show has not been used by C&D for a few years .
, ,,,,,,,, Cookie.


Canadian Association of Home Inspectors
http://www.cahi.ca/

[rwand1]

Call Steve Maxwell, he said RHI is your quality of education and professionalism and no one who is an RHI is a cowboy.

As I said its an ethical issue. I know, as I have reported at least one other inspector who was bragging they had engineers on staff, and PEO called him on it. That RHI no longer stating the word "engineer" on his site.

As to this individual again he is misrepresenting to the public that all home inspectors are engineers or other equivalent. I strongly suggest you send the info to PEO and let them look into this individuals website and what he is stating, so that may take appropriate action.

[rwand1]

I had a good laugh this weekend when I looked in the New Homes Section of the Toronto Star.

Steve Maxwell was reviewing juicers! Everything from soup to nuts! Maybe he should do review on Cowboys, and how they mount their horse.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Call Steve Maxwell, he said RHI is your quality of education and professionalism and no one who is an RHI is a cowboy.

As I said its an ethical issue. I know, as I have reported at least one other inspector who was bragging they had engineers on staff, and PEO called him on it. That RHI no longer stating the word "engineer" on his site.

As to this individual again he is misrepresenting to the public that all home inspectors are engineers or other equivalent. I strongly suggest you send the info to PEO and let them look into this individuals website and what he is stating, so that may take appropriate action.

Is that any different then some of the directors of OAHI advertising that they are an RHI and they then get an inspection and hand it down to another who is not an RHI and take 1/2 the fees?
.... Been done many times ...... Cookie

[rwand1]

You mean; is being done!

[mdiplock]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Carson Dunlop Inspectors are all PE ,but they also have a company I believe who are not PEs .
Also not all of C&D inspectors belong to OAHI.
I wonder is this company trying to do the same thing .
Could it be they are just a little lax in keeping their web site up to date . CAHI has been changed to CAHPI for some tile now .
Also the C&D report book they show has not been used by C&D for a few years .
, ,,,,,,,, Cookie.


Canadian Association of Home Inspectors
http://www.cahi.ca/

C and D's little brother company is Boulevard Inspections. CD also advertises that this company does not use engineers and that they charge a little less. Also CD's engineers aren't necessarily structural. Some are civil, mechanical, construction, electrical.....etc. I have found that there are several inspection firms in the OAHI who's ethics are, shall we say questionable and actually blatantly go against the SOP.
For instance there is one RHI in my area that advertises both his inspection and construction company together right on his web site and I know for sure that he gets reno jobs from his inspections.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by mdiplock

C and D's little brother company is Boulevard Inspections. CD also advertises that this company does not use engineers and that they charge a little less. Also CD's engineers aren't necessarily structural. Some are civil, mechanical, construction, electrical.....etc. I have found that there are several inspection firms in the OAHI who's ethics are, shall we say questionable and actually blatantly go against the SOP.
For instance there is one RHI in my area that advertises both his inspection and construction company together right on his web site and I know for sure that he gets reno jobs from his inspections.

OAHI has a RHI home inspector who is an Engineer .
I am told his specialty was Hover Craft.
Now they are not very similar to homes in my area,
........... Cookie

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by mdiplock

C and D's little brother company is Boulevard Inspections. CD also advertises that this company does not use engineers and that they charge a little less. Also CD's engineers aren't necessarily structural. Some are civil, mechanical, construction, electrical.....etc. I have found that there are several inspection firms in the OAHI who's ethics are, shall we say questionable and actually blatantly go against the SOP.
For instance there is one RHI in my area that advertises both his inspection and construction company together right on his web site and I know for sure that he gets reno jobs from his inspections.

Mark:

With all due respect, OAHI does not have the only inspectors who do things like this. It is unfortunately prevalent in every association, including NACHI. It is not 'association specific' so I think it's a mistake to insinuate that it is. I rarely defend OAHI, but we can't always blame the associations for the unethical behaviour of its members.

Firms and people who violate the rules can be reported to their association, but I am sure someone could be kept busy fulltime for a month going through all websites, cocumenting problems and forwarding them to the various associations.

It's a curse within our industry and the entire industry has to make it one of our goals to clean up everyone's acts.

Bill Mullen
Sarnia