A Home Inspection conducted by a third party on behalf of a prospective purchaser is a growing and comparatively recent phenomenon in the real estate industry.

Although recommended by most real estate agents concerned with protecting the buyer against costly and otherwise unnoticed defects, not all Home Inspectors are created equal.

Qualifications and business practices among those holding themselves out as Home Inspectors may vary quite substantially as there is no set of minimum qualifications which must be met before someone calls himself a Home Inspector and there is no licensing authority or law governing who may represent themselves as qualified to conduct a Home Inspection in Canada.

In order to provide some assurance to the general public that certain standards of business practice are being met, associations of Home Inspectors have been formed by those in the industry. The “Canadian Association of Home Inspectors” is an example.

Generally, Home Inspectors who are members of an association agree to adhere to a set of standards of business practice imposed by the association.

One of the standards of the “Canadian Association of Home Inspectors” for instance is that members neither perform renovations or repairs nor refer clients to those that do.

This standard of business practice is imposed to protect the public against potential “conflicts of interest” which could compromise the integrity of the home inspection report. Otherwise persons holding themselves out as “home inspectors” who are also involved in the renovation and repair business would be in a position to use the inspection as a means of generating renovation and repair work.

Membership in an Association is not mandatory and therefore not everyone engaged in the occupation of Home Inspector is governed by a set of industry approved standards for home inspections and business practice.

A prudent purchaser will enquire to ensure an “objective” inspection and report are provided by a qualified Home Inspector.

The following are among the questions which may assist you to determine whether a particular home inspector is the right one for you:

1. Are you a member of a recognized association of home inspectors?

2. Are you a full time home inspector or are you also engaged in another occupation?

3. May I attend the inspection (being there will help you to better understand the findings in the home inspection report)?

4. Do you perform repairs on property you inspect or will you refer me to someone who will?

5. How much time will the inspection take, what will be inspected and when will I receive a written inspection report?

6. Do you carry errors and omissions insurance?

7. How much will the service cost ( but remember you often get what you pay for)?

8. Do you provide an inspection agreement which defines the scope of the inspection?

9. Are you willing to supply me with a sample of the inspection agreement and a sample inspection report?

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