The Alberta government wants to know if it should regulate home inspectors.
The government is seeking input from Albertans about whether it should create regulations for the home inspection industry, which currently has no provincial rules.
There are 225 home inspection companies in Alberta. Inspectors perform an examination of a house and provide the client with a written report. However, there is little in place to ensure the accuracy or thoroughness of the report, or the actual qualifications of the inspector, the province says.
The Alberta chapter of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors has been calling for the regulations for four years. It’s concerned that anyone can start a business as a home inspector with no training, experience or qualifications.
“This can leave unwary consumers relying on information that may be less than what should be provided by a professional home inspector,” said president Doug MacDonald.
His organization requires its members to carry insurance and closely scrutinize all facets of a home, including structural components, roof, interior, exterior, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and surface drainage. However, association membership is voluntary and the organization wants all home inspectors held to that standard.
The consultation will cover the issues of licensing, standards, qualifications, insurance and other matters.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors doesn’t favour regulations. The organization says the number of home inspectors jumped from 500 to 3,000 after certification was adopted in Illinois, suggesting that certification actually attracts more inexperienced people to the career.
“This business really requires people that have been around construction for a number of years,” said one local inspector, who didn’t want his name used.
“When you’re looking at buildings, you can’t do what Mike Holmes does. You can’t go smashing into the walls and all that. You have to look at it from the surface and then try and figure out what’s going on behind that wall.”
In Canada, only British Columbia has such regulations, which exist in 30 U.S. states.
Service Alberta says it’s received 18 complaints about home inspectors in the last four years, a number it feels is relatively low. But the cost to a homeowner could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars in those cases where an inspector is negligent, the department says.
The cost of a home inspection typically ranges from $350 to $500.
“Getting a home inspection done before buying a house is a good step for any prospective homebuyer,” said Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk. “We want to ensure Albertans get what they pay for when they hire an inspector.”
The consultation runs until June 30. Albertans interested in participating can visit www.servicealberta.ab.ca/pdf/Public_Paper.pdf
