CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROCESS
AlbertaACHI South is committed to excellence in the Alberta home inspection industry, and although we strive to prepare our members to be the best trained Home Inspectors in Alberta, there are times when consumers feel their home inspector let them down during the home inspection process.
If you believe an AlbertaACHI South Home Inspector has acted in an unethical, unprofessional, or improper manner you can register a complaint with AlbertaACHI, and we will take all steps necessary to address and answer your complaint in a timely and unbiased manner. Please be advised, our disciplinary committee can only review the actions of, and discipline members of AlbertaACHI South.
Complaints filed against inspectors who are members of other associations, will need to be initiated with that inspector’s association if they belong to one.
As a consumer it is important to understand the limitations of the home inspection process. A home inspection is an opinion of the home inspector based on a non-invasive review of readily accessible and visible components in the home at the time the inspection occurred. A home inspection is not a guarantee or warranty, or a prediction of future events or conditions that may occur after possession.
Scope of Inspection – AlbertaACHI South inspectors are required to follow a Standards of Practice set out by AlbertaACHI South. This purpose of this SOP is in a sense a job description that establishes a minimum, uniform standard for all Alberta Home Inspectors. This SOP is included in your contract and is binding between you and your inspector.
If you feel your home inspector did not deliver a home inspection service to your satisfaction and you want to initiate a complaint against the home inspector, we recommend the following steps:
FIRST - Contact the inspector and explain your concerns.
SECOND - Make an appointment with the inspector to revisit the property as soon as possible after noticing the issue to review your concerns. Do not make any repairs (unless emergency conditions are present) until the inspector revisits the home.
THIRD - If you and the Inspector are not able to resolve the matter at the revisit to your satisfaction, initiate a complaint with AlbertaACHI South.
To initiate a complaint against an AlbertaACHI South Home Inspector / member please fill out the online consumer complaint form at: https://www.nachi.org/issue-resolution-buyer.htm
Upon receipt of a complaint, the main objective is to resolve the complaint through meaningful dialog between you and the inspector. If the complaint cannot be resolved with home inspector, it is forwarded to our Disciplinary Committee for review.
Be prepared to discuss the merits of your concerns, the circumstances of your concern, and the response from your inspector with a member of AlbertaACHI South Disciplinary Committee. You will be asked to provide any correspondence and documentation regarding your concerns.
This complaints investigation process may take several weeks to complete depending on the complexity of the issues surrounding the complaint and the availability of readily accessible information.
A letter will be sent to you acknowledging we have received your complaint. All complaints are fully reviewed by our Disciplinary Committee and if more information is required, we will contact you. A letter will be sent to you acknowledging we have received your complaint. All complaints are fully.
AlbertaACHI South will keep you updated as to the status and progress of your complaint.
All complaints brought forward by a consumer will be sent to AlbertaACHI South Disciplinary Committee Member’s for their review. This process will involve investigating evidence from both the consumer and the home inspector named in the complaint.
If the Disciplinary Committee determines the Home Inspector should be disciplined, the Disciplinary Committee will contact InterNACHI South for further review. Disciplinary action can range from a formal written warning, remedial training requests, or suspension of membership.
If the Home Inspector feels the decision is unjust, an appeal can be made to review the decision. All appeals must be submitted in writing to the AlbertaACHI South Disciplinary Committee within 30 days of the disciplinary committee members decision.
All appeals must include a reasonable explanation for filing the appeal including the submission of any new evidence for the Disciplinary Committee’s review.
Please note that the Disciplinary Committee cannot and does not mediate any disputes, impose any settlements, or provide opinions on the alleged negligence or if a Tort has been committed of a member, other civil means are available to the general public that can involve proceedings
Once a decision of the appeal is reached by the Disciplinary Committee, the decision will be reviewed by two senior AlbertaACHI South Board of Directors, and a final decision will be rendered. At that time an appropriate disciplinary remedy will be issued which can include a formal written warning, remedial training requests, or suspension of membership, and the Home Inspector will be notified within 30 days of the Boards decision. This decision will be binding, and no further appeal opportunities will be available.
An AlbertaACHI South executive member will also contact Service Alberta with their findings and any disciplinary decisions deemed appropriate.
