Home Inspector Licensing in British Columbia

[wblakey]

Well now, isn't that interesting ... the ASTTBC is now actively seeking iNACHI members to join their organization. As things stand in BC at the moment the ASTTBC members are the smallest group, so they are probably worried that with licensing leveling the bar, so to speak, that there will not be the incentive for people to join their organization. I don't know what their yearly fees are or what they offer in the way of support for their inspectors, but I would say that it is worth considering (even though I am biased in favour of National Certification).

Might I suggest that iNACHI members post information about the ASTTBC costs etc so that we can compare with the NCA and CAHPI (also the way they intend to accredit people).

[senwiinspection]

Originally Posted by wblakey

Well now, isn't that interesting ... the ASTTBC is now actively seeking iNACHI members to join their organization. As things stand in BC at the moment the ASTTBC members are the smallest group, so they are probably worried that with licensing leveling the bar, so to speak, that there will not be the incentive for people to join their organization. I don't know what their yearly fees are or what they offer in the way of support for their inspectors, but I would say that it is worth considering (even though I am biased in favour of National Certification).

Might I suggest that iNACHI members post information about the ASTTBC costs etc so that we can compare with the NCA and CAHPI (also the way they intend to accredit people).

We are being welcoming to any good industry inspector who wishes to join us at this industry turning point (CAHPI/NACHI/NCP/Independent). Yes we are a smaller group but our membership standards are hard to beat. We do not have all the BS and politics of CAHPI and are a solution for just the BC inspector as apposed to some National system that is impersonal and inaccessible. Our Board works hard for the best interests of our organization instead of going out of their way to get in the way of licencing and while at it discredit every other organization out there.

We have monthly meetings where the inspectors get together to network and we provide a seminar - continuing education at each of these meetings. We are professionals doing a good job and trying to improve the industry while we go along.

Now that licencing is here we will switch our attention to the conflicts of interest that exist in Realtor referrals and their interference with the House Inspection process. We will also try to remove the ability for any inspector in BC to provide services to the public without first being mentored as is usually the practise in professional trades but sadly not in ours. Would you rather not start your career knowing you are ready and prepared as opposed to going it on your own and hoping you do not get sued in the first few years??

Our insurance is much cheaper than CAHPI's because it is only for ASTTBC members and as such there are very few lawsuits against our members and our premiums are lower. You can get 1M/incident/aggregate for around $1800.

I will find out what our application fees are and post them. Our yearly certification fees for a CHI(P) are $145/yr plus a $95 advertising levy for BCIPI. A CHI membership is $210 + $95 per year.

If you have further interest please feel free to contact me for info.

Cheers
Sean - secretary@bcipi.net

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jbettencourt

James,

Apparently a few seasoned inspectors around here have sent messages offering to do exactly what you suggest with Mike. They have received no response, surprised? His publisists and advisors would never let this happen, if he was upstaged on TV it would be the end of an empire that is generating millions of dollars and no one is going to put him in a position to be upstaged.

I need you to put me in contact with these seasoned inspectors, please. I think that Mr. Holmes may consider our challenge.

[jbettencourt]

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f52/mike-...ht=mike+holmes

James here was some that have challenged and said that they e-mailed Mr. Holmes with no answer.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jbettencourt

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f52/mike-...ht=mike+holmes

James here was some that have challenged and said that they e-mailed Mr. Holmes with no answer.

I am engaged right now in a very lengthy and detailed email exchange with his representative who tells me that Canadian inspectors love Mike, give him standing ovations at all of the meetings he speaks to them at, and are encouraging him to go forward with his television series exposing the bad inspector.

I am telling her that, without being an inspector himself, he has no credibility but is just another contractor who thinks he knows more than the inspector critiquing him.

He is close to accepting a challenge.

Any takers? Who wants instant fame in Canada as a home inspector?

Speak now...or I'm sending her Wendy Forsythe.

[jbettencourt]

James if you post this on the Holmes post you may find a taker.

[James H. Bushart]

Just got this from Holmes' VP....but I have to paraphrase. He contacted InterNACHI and asked it to be deleted.

Anyone who wants to read the email, itself, can simply email their request to me and I will send you the original.


First, Quast asked that I please pass this on to my Canadian friends. (Then, he writes to NACHI and demands it be deleted. Looks like Holmes needs to run).

He fully admitted that "Mike Holmes has long been critical of the Home Inspection industry. However he has never publicly been critical of any one inspector, your friends included... whoever they may be." as if this makes a difference.

He asked me "Why does Mike find fault with the Home Inspection industry? Because over the past seven years he has received thousands of emails from homeowners across North America who have been very dissatisfied with their home inspection. Many of them were surprised with tens of thousands of dollars in repairs that should have been caught by their home inspector. Mike has fixed some of these homes, often at his own expense, but he would prefer if qualified inspectors did their job and educated homeowners so that these surprises were minimized and profession's stature could grow." Somehow, having received complaints makes Holmes a home inspector of some sort.

Then, Quast tried to appease us by asking "Are all inspectors bad? Of course not. Mike has publicly acknowledged that some inspectors care deeply about the quality of their work, their reputation and ultimately the safety of the homeowner. Unfortunately there are also many inspectors who do not care to meet this standard and fail both the homeowner as well as the profession." Kind of like contractors.

Then he passed on some hyperbole on Mike's credibility with the press and the public for the many fine things he alleges to have done.

Then he asked us to back off of the demand for a on-on-one challenge. Knowing that Mike will look foolish...which is what he is trying to make home inspectors look like instead....he is trying to protect Mike from the public ridicule that would come as a result of his inspection, side by side in the same house, with a Canadian NACHI member.

He signed it with the following information, though I deleted his cell phone.

MICHAEL QUAST
VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT
334 Munster Ave.
Toronto, ON M8Z 3C5
Tel: 416-233-6066 x201
Fax: 416-233-9550

Again, the original email will be sent to anyone who asks.

Holmes is running from us already.....but he cannot hide.

[James H. Bushart]

I say that we spread the word....

Mike Holmes is a contractor who .... like many others .... is incapable of doing the work of a home inspector, but is critical of them anyway.

He backed down from the opportunity to prove that he is worthy of putting forth a home inspection franchise to the public.

Any fool who cannot do the work can criticize those who can, and...as Mr. Holmes has proven...most do.

[George A. H. Luck]

It's a good idea James and I intend to spread that far and wide!

[senwiinspection]

Originally Posted by senwiinspection

I will find out what our application fees are and post them.

Our applications fees for existing inspectors wanting to join are $65.62 inc GST. What are you all waiting for. Join today.

If you need more info please contact me at secretary@bcipi.net

As a side note: I wonder how many of those that criticize Mike Holmes have ever met him? Cause if you had you would not be slamming him the way you are.

Cheers
Sean

[James Koong]

Yes, I did submit may application.
How long it takes?

[James Koong]

I agree that is the best E & O insurance rate Asttbc got it now.
I paid over & 2500.00

[senwiinspection]

Originally Posted by jkoong

Yes, I did submit may application.
How long it takes?

This is the response I received from registrations:

While we do not as yet know what the total volume of applications will be or the total numbers of Inspection Assessments that will have to be carried out, the plan is to meet Government’s March 31st date. We have realigned all staff resources to set this as priority 1 for the month. Part of the solution to a quick turn around of processing applications is also the cooperation of the applicant as they need to get all the required application documentation in as soon as possible. They also need to connect with their references to ensure that they understand the urgency of a quick response. Please note that I am prepared to accept as much material as possible electronically or by fax where normally we would require original hard copy.


So it is important that if you are going to do this you need to do it soon and make sure you send in all required documents and have all your references ready for the call from ASTTBC. I will try to get a digital app package and post a link here.


It is important that everyone realizes the BCIPI/ASTTBC process must be completed by March 31 including your two inspection assessments or you will not receive a licence and be unable to offer services after march 31.



This process also holds true with the BPCPA. Do not expect to be able to submit your application to BPCPA on the last week if you are not affiliated with one of the three organizations and expect them to process your app by March 31. Any delays after March 31 will be time you are unable to offer services to the public.


Let me know if any questions.



Cheers
Sean - secretary@bcipi.net

[senwiinspection]

For those that wish to receive an application package please email a request to Suzette Osborne @ sosborne@asttbc.org

Thanks - Sean

[wblakey]

Don't panic about signing up with ASTTBC, you can also send in the same type of information directly to the BPCPA as a "Credential Assessment Schedule."

As long as you do that before March 31, 2009 and they accept your background experience then you will have an additional two years to join one of the other three groups.

Bear in mind that two of them are professional organizations (ASTTBC and CAHPI) while the National Certification Authority (even though it was originally developed with the help of CAHPI) is non-partisan.