When you are buying a home we always recommend that you get a home inspection done. (This is the equivalent of a survey in the UK.) After all a major investment does merit having someone look over the home and point out any issues.
What may come as a surprise to many people is that the person you engage as a home inspector does not need to have any qualifications. At least until now. British Columbia is about to become the first Province to require that Home Inspectors be licensed.
To become licensed, home inspectors will need to meet the qualifications of: the B.C. branch of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors; or the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia; or the National Certification Program for Home & Property Inspectors.
Qualifying for a licence will involve passing exams and proving experience as required by those organizations.
In addition Home Inspectors will carry insurance and have to pass criminal checks too.
As realtors we are called on to recommend Home Inspectors. So we have been very careful to vet the people we recommend. Now it will be a lot easier for all concerned.
