More about BC Licensing

[rwand1]

I fail to see where you draw your conclusion home inspectors fees would drop if licenced. Can you point to a source? Entry requirements would hinder entry keeping prices high.

[James H. Bushart]

How much did you charge for a home inspection in 1991?

[James H. Bushart]

I've never seen this addressed in any Canadian discussion for licensing (provincial or national), so I will share it.

You may or may not be aware that the United States has national standards for home inspectors...at least, for those who inspect for certain government loans.

HUD is a good example. You need to attend a five day class, pass a test and have conducted 150 or so inspections. That's it. And here is the kicker. When the government wants a building inspected, it is put out for bid to the lowest bidding approved inspector.

That is the most dramatic example as to how a government standard holds down fees.

The second government inspection standard comes through USDA who will allow a state to set the criteria. In Missouri, an inspector belonging to ASHI or NACHI is eligible to do an inspection for the USDA Rural Development Program.

There is a four page (two pages front and back) checklist. The checklist mainly focuses on environmental issues (insulation, weatherstripping, etc).

There are no lower bars established....and no fees too low...than for those who participate in these programs.

Fight licensing like you would fight communism. Both have the same potential effect upon you, financially.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Brian opined:



Sounds like the same growth level in Ontario with RHI. Slow to create new RHI due to over zealous bureaucratic red tape designed by a few zealots who run the BOE/AR. Keep the membership down so those on the lower Totem pole pay to run the association for the luxury of a few at the top. In OAHI the money filters to the top.

Don't seem to have that problem here, Ray. With such a small # of members and not much money in the pot, it's hard to steal or hide much (or anything). I'm not into the inner circles here but am more of a critic at the edges pushing for better training, more stringent standards, better control and knowledge of what's really going on in the field with complaints/lawsuits/settlements, etc.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rwand1

To my knowledge not all licenced professions belong to unions.

In my area, a large % of the licensed trades are outside of unions!!! And they still get paid quite well.

[wblakey]

I don't think people should get too excited about BC licensing at this stage because the political process has not moved very far compared to Alberta which will probably be the first province to establish licensing for home inspectors, and they will be lucky if they manage it by the end of this year.

One thing people can do is stay in touch with what is going on and write to your member of parliament, to make sure that they include you in the consultation process.

Also, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the National Occupational Standards has just been re-written in draft form and you will have the opportunity to assess the baseline that is outlined in this document. It is likely that licensing will at the very least use this document as a reference, even if they don't adopt all of the ideas.

If you don't like licensing, then find reasons to back up your stance and let the politicians know. If you do like the idea, find reasons to back up your stance and let the politicians know.

Whatever you do, don't do nothing.

The more noise made by those in the profession, the more attention will be given by the law makers.

[rwand1]

Brian posted:

In my area, a large % of the licensed trades are outside of unions!!! And they still get paid quite well.

Thats what I have found in my area. For example I know hair dressers who are licenced and work for good salons or own their own salons make a nice salary and are not unionized.

I know well drillers who must be licenced and do not belong to any unions and make a good living. Ditto licenced well techs.

I also believe that electricians who operate their own businesses do not belong to unions, but stand to be corrected on that. They make an excellent wage. I also know some electricians who work more than others because of their reputation and reliability and honesty.

[rwand1]

Paul posted:

If you don't like licensing, then find reasons to back up your stance and let the politicians know. If you do like the idea, find reasons to back up your stance and let the politicians know.

Whatever you do, don't do nothing.

The more noise made by those in the profession, the more attention will be given by the law makers.

Exactly! Its also an excellent opportunity to seek limits of liability, which you cannot get through self regulating bodies. You can only get that limitation through legislation.

Cheers,

[Nick Gromicko]

I think InterNACHI members will be quite pleased about how licensing plays out in B.C.

[lolsen]

If we want to look at trades to see how licensing works then consider this.

I hold a Journeyman Ag Mechanic ticket. This does not make any difference of what work I get or what I get paid. There is no fines to work without a ticket. I have seen this with Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, etc.

So if we put in licensing what is going to stop somebody from inspecting without a license. If there is a demand or if the unlicensed inspector can make a market for himself then has licensing done any good?

Your thoughts????

Lawrence

[rwand1]

Lawrence I don't know about out west but in Ontario if you are not licenced and working in a field that requires licencing you are in trouble.

Cheers,

[lolsen]

Ray

It seems that rules are different across our great country. From what I gather Ontario should be the first to license and see how it goes. Like I said before "In Alberta Status Quo is looking good".

Lawrence

[rwand1]

Here is another interesting study:

Home & Property Inspection Services Act Aug. 2005

This Home & Property Inspection Services Act promotes enhanced consumer protection when purchasing a home.

It ensures that those providing home and property inspections are licenced professionals who must satisfy strict educational and ethical requirements. As a resul the legislation will prevent unqualified and unlicenced individuals from holding themselves out as home and property inspectors.

The home and Property Inspection Services Act also ensures compliance and public accountability through discipline of licenced home and property inspectors, etablishing professional standards, and mandating that licenced that licenced home and propertry inspectors maintain adequate liability protection.

Courtesy of CAHPI (BC) UBCM Conference September 26-30, 2005

www.raymondwand.ca/BCHomeInspectionstudy.pdf

5.977 kb file

[Vern Mitchinson, CMI]

The number of complaints the Alberta government has received to date is 00.02% or 1 complaint for every 5000 inspections. Pretty dam low if you ask me. Statistically that is no complaints. Show me another industry that that good record.
We had this discussion last year. I suggest you all read the 2006 Ohio state study on home inspections. That study showed that three years after licensing the annual life average number of inspections dropped from 136 to 25. This is because there was a huge increase in new inspectors. The study also showed that the buyer satisfaction before licensing was the same after licensing.
Please read the study. You can find it in the 2007 archives.
When you have read it then you can make informed comments.

[lolsen]

Thanks Vern

Will read.

Lawrence