Look for RHI designation to ensure you're not getting uncertified `cowboy'

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rwand1

How to find a reputable home inspector.

* Check for affiliaions/memberships in Nachi, Ashi, CAHPI.
* How long has the inspector been in biz?
* Does the inspector subscribe to industry SOP/COE?
* Can the inspector provide referrals?
* Referrals from relatives, friends, co-workers
* Referrals from realtors provided they provide three names of inspectors
* Ask your insurer, mortgage lender, lawyer

a few that come to mind..

Oh, by the way, in our area with 25-30 or so inspectors/firms, it's quite easy to hand out cards/names of at least 6-10 companies that do what I call "fluff" inspections......... I have copies of some of these reports in my possession!!! So providing the names of 3 inspectors is no guarantee that you get much more than the SOP.......which isn't near enough, IMO.

[rwand1]

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[rwand1]

Can you spot the erroneous information?

http://www.northshoreoutlook.com/por...1068617&more=0

Home inspection
http://web.bcnewsgroup.com/portals/u...647_070920.jpg

By JENNIFER ROSS Contributor
Sep 20 2007
One of the most important items you will ever buy is your home.
And a home inspector is there to help ensure you have made a sound investment.
A home inspector examines the condition of a home before a purchaser makes a commitment to buying the property.
They will check the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, plumbing and electrical.
They identify items that need repair and ensure safety standards.
Homeowners most often require a home inspection when they are considering purchasing a new home.
However, home inspectors will also inspect a house before it is sold, to show the owners any problems they might be unaware of.
And, they do pre-delivery inspections where a new home is inspected before the occupants move in.
“Home inspectors are generalists,” said Bill Sutherland, president of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors of British Columbia, CAHPI (BC), who also works as a home inspector. “We look at a building and its components as a system and check to see that each item functions properly for its specific purpose.”
When considering a home inspector Sutherland suggests hiring a CAHPI member.
That way you’ll be sure your inspector has adequate training and experience. To become a CAHPI member individuals must write a seven-part exam and achieve 80 per cent or higher to pass.
Then, every two years afterwards they must obtain 40 points – one point is awarded for each hour of education.
Two years ago this November a program was put forward by CAHPI which illustrated the national standards required for home inspectors.
One hundred and fifty applicants were chosen out of a group of 400 to work towards achieving National Certificate Holder status.
Last October 96 certificates were awarded, including one to North Vancouver resident Derek Jacques.
“The National certificate program NCP was introduced earlier this year and of the 115 home inspectors across Canada who have achieved National certificate holder status, 16 are from BC,” Sutherland said in a release.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says the national certification program is the first and most important designation a consumer should look for when hiring a home inspector.
They recommend consumers check with CAHPI, the yellow pages and housing trade magazines to find a home inspector who meets the national certification standards.
“Buying a house is the biggest investment people will ever make,” said Sutherland. “If consumers use a house or home inspector to help them make an informed purchasing decision, that inspector should be trained, qualified and accountable.”
Over the past four years the number of CAHPI home inspector members has doubled, making it easier to find reputable inspectors.
In the Lower Mainland, a home inspection costs anywhere from $400 to $600. But, if they notice a hole in the roof of a home you’re thinking of buying, that few hundred dollars will have saved you thousands.
For more information on the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors of BC, visit the CAHPI (BC) website at www.cahpi.ca.

[bjones1]

one sentance says to make sure your inspector has the national certificate, while another says there are only 115 certificates across the whole country. Kinda seems hard to find one when ya need one.
One question Ray......when did CAHPI require an exam?

[George A. H. Luck]

"The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says the national certification program is the first and most important designation a consumer should look for when hiring a home inspector.
They recommend consumers check with CAHPI, the yellow pages and housing trade magazines to find a home inspector who meets the national certification standards."

Kinda jumps out at me. I have forwarded this to CMHC asking for an explanation. Think I'll get one?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

I see our $199;00 Inspector is also giving a free wett inspection also .
Most Wood Stove instulation people charge about $145;00 for a wett inspection .
Does that mean his Home Inspection cost is only $54;00
......... Cookie..... I wonder is he getting desperate for work?
I charge over 7 times $54;00 for an Inspection

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rcooke

I see our $199;00 Inspector is also giving a free wett inspection also .
I looked at his sample report.......it's worth about $199.00! So the WETT training that may have cost him $600 plus lost time inspecting and travel expenses is worth.......NOTHING? Poor guy!!!

Most Wood Stove instulation people charge about $145;00 for a wett inspection.
I just doubled my "already onsite" (doing a home inspection) WETT inspection from $25 to $50 per system.

Does that mean his Home Inspection cost is only $54;00
......... Cookie..... I wonder is he getting desperate for work?
I charge over 7 times $54;00 for an Inspection

Life is rough when you have to drop prices that much.......or maybe that's all he is giving people.....$199.00 worth of knowledge, advice and recommendations......in that case, he's reasonably priced and the customer chose the wrong inspector.

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

lastly you may want to add Talk to the inspector and hear what they say, does the inspector give you a good feeling.

If the realtor gives you a bad feeling you look for another, same goes for most service professionals. 6th sense still has some relivence.

also could be the tarot card reader down the road.

[rwand1]

Brian Jones

To my knowledge the OAHI entry requirements are the only requiremnts to get into CAHPI. There maybe entry exams in other provinces but I doubt it!

With so many erroneous statements from Mullen and clique its hard to tell the truth from the bu ll sh it. Even Claude can't seem to stand up for correct info. Notice how Bill and Claude remained silent about the erroneous info in the Star by Steve Maxwell?

[bjones1]

Thanks Ray.....
I didn't think there ever was an exam, but I wanted to check to see if anything changed in the last 3 years.

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by bjones1

Thanks Ray.....
I didn't think there ever was an exam, but I wanted to check to see if anything changed in the last 3 years.

In most provinces there are no 'exams' to be able to enter as a 'student' without the right to perform inspections. In all provinces before you get the association's blesssings to do inspections you need to take and pass several tests and exams pertaining to the courses you took. You also need to pass the CAHPI exam prior to doing any inspections. No doubt some people violate these rules and go ahead with inspections, but that is not okay with the association and it is difficult to police. (Much the same as there are hundreds of NACHI members claiming to be 'certified' when they have not been given that designation by NACHI) .

There are no provincial associations that knowingly allow their student members to inspect houses. They must pass into a higher category first by completing and passing tests.

If you were referring to the National Certifications, there are exams for all courses that you want credit for, and of course there is the big exam, the Test Inspections with Peer Review that everyone must pass. After Dec. 31, 2007, each candidate will need to pass two TIPR's.

Bill Mullen
Sarnia
Sarnia

[rwand1]

Practical Requirement
http://www.oahi.com/default.asp?tier...=84&content=23

The Home Inspection 'Practical' requirement is as follows:
complete 200 home inspections, OR:

work in the home inspection field for at least one year and completion of at least 150 home inspections, OR:

work in the home inspection field for at least two years and completion of 100 home inspections. All home inspections must be fee paid, include WRITTEN reports and meet OAHI standards of practice. Reports are subject to verification.

Note #1:
Order the Information Package for a complete description of the requirements for each membership category.

Note #2:
THE OAHI DOES NOT ASSESS OR REVIEW THE CREDENTIALS OF NON-MEMBERS.
Those aspiring to become members must first apply as "Student" or "Applicant" member after which, upon request, they will receive a free assessment of their educational and practical experience.

[rwand1]

(Much the same as there are hundreds of NACHI members claiming to be 'certified' when they have not been given that designation by NACHI).

Thats strange because OAHI does not certify inspectors.
The National doesn't have any authority to certify either because its a voluntary, self regulating association. Its not legislated in any form whatsoever.

So if that is the case Nachi members have as much right to call themselves certified.

And as we have all found out anyone in the Registry regardless of membership level is a Registered Home Inspector and entitled to use RHI. So who is deceiving whom?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Lets see Bill Mullen says ("If you were referring to the National Certifications, there are exams for all courses that you want credit for, and of course there is the big exam, the Test Inspections with Peer Review that everyone must pass. After Dec. 31, 2007, each candidate will need to pass two TIPR's. ").
I wonder would that make them about 1/2 as good as an RHI.
Still looking for the time some one asks me if I am and RHI or a member of OAHI .
After 15 plus years still they have just over 200+ RHIs.
After two years the NCA has coma about 50% of thet distance.
, Certified Master Inspector sure makes people understand they are getting a great inspection.

.......... Cookie

[rwand1]

Fwiw and a fact.

When I was Chair of the DPPC, I was told by the President and the BOD to tell members who were using "Certified" to cease using it because OAHI is not a certifying body. I remember very distinctly issuing several letters to a few members informing them of that fact.