Issues & Options for Cert. of HI

[rwand1]

PROJECT REPORT:
REVIEW OF ISSUES AND OPTIONS
FOR CERTIFICATION OF HOME INSPECTORS

FOR THE HOMEOWNER PROTECTION OFFICE
FINAL REPORT

September 16, 2005

CONSULTANT: M. REINSTEIN AND ASSOCIATES

http://www.hpo.bc.ca/WhatsNew/Home_I...RT_9-16-05.pdf

[rwand1]

Page 6 from http://www.hpo.bc.ca/WhatsNew/Home_I...RT_9-16-05.pdf

NACHI
NACHI (the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors) is a USA-based association that is expanding throughout North America. There are four Canadian chapters at present, in BC, Alberta and Ontario. NACHI appears to be the only association to provide free on-line examinations and training. Publicly accessible areas on the NACHI website provide detailed advice on marketing and brochure development, along with downloadable NACHI logos and banners “for member use”. On the subject of brochures, the website advises that “[t]he word Certified creates the most positive response from the general public which is why you should write out the words Member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, not just use the acronym NACHI.”

Ontario
The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) was accorded “right to title” legislation by the Province of Ontario in 1994. An Act respecting the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (Bill Pr158 allows OAHI “to become incorporated for the purpose of carrying out its objects, to enable it to govern and discipline its members and to grant to its members the right to the exclusive use of the designations ‘Registered Home Inspector’ and ‘R.H.I.’”.

Bill PR158 is a private bill. Unlike public bills, which deal with matters of public policy, private bills are applied for by a person or organization outside the Legislative Assembly, and deal with issues that affect only that person or group.

Typically, a private bill will accord to the applicant special powers or exemptions from the general law. A number of other industry associations in Ontario have merged into OAHI in recent years, including CAHPI’s former Ontario chapter. Not all Ontario home inspectors belong to OAHI (according to one OAHI official “there are more outside than inside”), and not all industry associations have merged in.

1. Status Quo
With this option, the onus would continue on the home inspection industry to develop appropriate professional standards. However, left to its own devices, despite the efforts of some industry members, it is highly unlikely that the home inspection industry will achieve uniform professional and practice standards and voluntary compliance. While some rationalization may occur, and some existing associations will grow, new associations will continue to emerge with their own particular standards; new franchises will continue to develop, with proprietary interests in their training and support programs; and, highly successful individual inspection firms will have little incentive to change from their current practices.

Continued fragmentation of the industry makes it more difficult for consumers to make informed decisions. The existence of a number of smaller organizations, particularly those with a market development rather than an industry development focus, makes it more difficult for these businesses to obtain errors and omissions insurance. The home inspection industry will likely continue to lobby government for mandatory certification.

How refreshing a very good review and unbiased assessment. The whole article is an very interesting read!

[rcooke]

Thanks Raymond what A great find .
I have had a quick read and wish this survey on page 31 could have been given to more people then 57.
I also feel it should have gone out to more home inspectors then zero
it went to
4 Inspection associations
6 inspection Business
4 associations of the Building code inspection
2 lenders organizations
2 realestate Org.
2 BC BBB
2 home warranty brokers
4Home warranty providers
2 E&O insurance providers
6 consumer or home buyer Org.
The municipal Ins. Association.,CMHC,UBCN,FICOM, and the Insurance Council BC
4 declined to particape 2 did not send in a completed form of the remaining 51 ,36 (71%) completed the forms
2 survey recipients send them out to their members and a total of 59 completed form where returned
The questionnaire asked was it becoming harder to find a qualified Home inspector
More difficult : 12
less Difficult : 7
don't know : 12
not difficult : 2
Difficult to know who is qualified : 6
37 (73%) of returns said they felt the consumer was not adequately protected only 5 felt they where properly protected.
When asked if the industry in BC should be regulated 46 of 51 (90%) think it should be.
Finally , the questionare asked whether regulation of the home inspection industry would have appositive or negative impact on the respondent's industry.
They responded as follows :
Positive effect: 35................................................ ......71%
Negative effect: 1................................................. ........2%
Little or no effect:9.......................................... ...........18%
Unknown , or depends on the details of the regulations:4.... 8%
Rounded of by me =................................................. ....98%

It is sad that more did not get a chance to participate .
But the way I see it is a very large % wants Regulation
( Can you say License )
This is a condensed version of the 34 pages the way I see it .
I would suggest you read it and see if this is close to how you see it.

The more I hear,
the more I see!
NACHI is the one for me !
Roy Cooke R.H.I. Royshomeinspection.com
A HAPPY NACHI MEMBER,... More find this out ever day!

Remember Whistler http://www.nachi.org/forum/f48/lets-not-forget-whistler-4935/

[rwand1]

Yes licencing would be the ultimate goal. I know some frown on the word licence or what it could mean. But until such time as licencing is brought in the status quo remains. Out with the old in with the new eh? No more special interests, no large inspection companies/franchisors running the inspection association and no more arbitrary infringement of our rights and the misuse of the by-laws to suit agendas.

[Nick Gromicko]

I'm lost, been up all night, and about to ask one of those overly general questions that I myself refuse to answer but... who wrote this report?

[rwand1]

CONSULTANT: M. REINSTEIN AND ASSOCIATES
Marnie Reinstein at:
M&R@m-reinstein.com
or
By fax: 250-474-8844
or
By mail: M. Reinstein & Associates
#6 – 4560 West Saanich Road
Victoria, British Columbia
V8Z 3G4