6 Steps to Become a Home Inspector in Canada

As a home in Canada, it is your primary duty to identify the home’s structural and electrical problems. Usually, when a buyer or resident wants to move into a new home, a home inspector will have to examine each. After the examination, the inspector will immediately report issues or potential safety concerns.

To become a home inspector in Canada, you will be detail-oriented and interested in construction and real estate. This article describes what home inspectors do, what skills they need on the job, and how to become one.

What is a home inspector?

A home inspector is a person who inspects houses, especially new houses, to make sure they don’t have any issues. For example, check to know if there are electrical faults, plumbing issues, or any other problems in the house.

Responsibilities of a home inspector in Canada

If you dream of becoming a home inspector in Canada, the duties below are some of your responsibilities:

• Internally and externally inspecting homes before they’re sold
• Identifying problems in the home, such as water damage or electrical issues
• Ensuring the home complies with safety standards
• Taking detailed notes to create reports explaining current or potential issues
• Investigating functionality of homes’ heating and cooling systems
• Providing suggestions for solutions and repairs
• Scheduling necessary maintenance by coordinating with certified specialists
• Collaborating with real estate agents to share inspection reports

Requirements to be a home inspector

To become a home inspector, you must meet certain requirements, including:

Education

College education may not be compulsory to become a home inspector in Canada. You will need some pre-licensing courses to gain helpful experience. Required home inspector coursework varies from province to province. Some of the available courses include:

• Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Online Training Program
• Vancouver’s Ashton College also offers the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection course,
• Canadian Home Inspection Exams (CHIE).

Licensure

The licence you require to become a home inspector in Canada in the province where you live. However, there are some provinces where people are not required to have licenses to officially become home inspectors. You must complete hundreds of hours of training and coursework in other provinces to obtain a license.

Training

In addition to the educational requirements, you will still need extra training to become a home inspector in Canada. For example, you may be required to complete inspections while an experienced home inspector supervises you. You may also need to shadow a current home inspector as they work to gain effective on-the-job training.

Once you have completed the CHI Exams, you will be required to obtain a minimum of 75 hours of field training with three qualified HIABC field trainers. After you have passed 5 of the eight industry exams, you can begin up to 28 hours of field training.

Skills needed to be a home inspector

As a home inspector, you will need the following skills:

• Great attention to detail
• Industry knowledge
• Technical expertise
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Customer service skills
• Ability to work independently
• Note-taking and data-entry skills
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Networking skills

Why home inspector is a good career in Canada

Job prospect and career growth

As a home inspector in Canada, you have a lot of opportunities to get employment. Moreover, you can switch from other related occupations to become a home inspector.

Good salary

Home inspectors in Canada receive an average salary of $60,786 per year. However, you can earn more or less depending on where you live, your years of professional experience, and your education. Your salary can also depend on whether you work for a home inspection company or establish your rates by working independently as a self-employed home inspector.

Steps to become a home inspector in Canada

The steps below will help you to become a home inspector in Canada:

#1. Research your state’s license requirements

First, you will know if your province has a licence to become a home inspector in Canada. To know this, you will have to research online. Your licence will help you to become a certified home inspector. Once you know the licence you require, you will apply for the necessary training courses. Then, complete the number of required training hours.

#2. Take classes

You must provide proof of 150 hours of academic training from a post-secondary institution. In addition, your institution must be registered and accredited by a recognized body.

To be as prepared for the job as possible, consider enrolling in additional courses on topics related to home inspection. For example, you can take construction or mechanical and electrical engineering classes. Business management courses can also be beneficial if you’re interested in starting your own home inspection business.

#3. Complete necessary training

Depending on your province, you may require to complete a specific number of training hours to become a home inspector in Canada. This number varies based on the province where you live. However, only some provinces may require you to fulfill training hours. For provinces where it is required, it takes about two to three months to complete training fully.

#4. Prepare for your exam

After completing each module of your Home Inspection Program, you can write the industry exam for that module rather than waiting to write all exams after you complete the entire course.

You must pass online industry exams covering the following subjects: Structure, Electrical, Heating, A/C & Heat Pumps, Plumbing, Exterior/Roofing, Interior/Insulation/Ventilation, and Business Practices/Standards of Practice.

The Canadian Home Inspection Exam (CHIE), developed by HIABC in partnership with the University of British Columbia, is approved by Consumer Protection BC under the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation.

#5. Pass your exam

If your province requires you to take an exam, you must pass it to become a certified home inspector. Whether you plan to work at a home inspection company or are interested in opening your own business, passing your exam indicates your credibility and assures your eligibility to be a home inspector. Make sure you are well-rested to complete the exam to the best of your ability.

#6. Determine your career path

The final step to becoming a home inspector in Canada is to determine your career path. They are two options for you to choose from. However, you must get a license before choosing a career path. They include:

Work for a home inspection company: You can decide to work for a home inspection company. In this career choice, you’ll be called to complete home inspections by your employers. You’ll also work closely with real estate agents to provide suggestions for maintenance and schedule repairs as needed.

Begin your own home inspection company: If you don’t want to work for a home inspection company, you can establish your firm. With this, you have the opportunity to work as a self-employed home inspector, which offers flexibility with your work schedule and projects. Having your own home inspection company also allows you to develop strong personal relationships with your clients. You can as well employ other home inspectors to work for you.

Licensing for home inspectors in Canada

Licensing in Canada for home inspectors is not compulsory; however, some provinces require a license before becoming a certified inspector in the province.

For the provinces that require a license, you must complete some hours of training courses to qualify. You have a licence to become an inspector in the following provinces in Canada.

Alberta

No diploma or degree is needed to get a licence in Alberta as a home inspector. However, you will need an approved education program, designation, or license from an approved industry Association or a regulatory body. The recommended course is the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training Program. However, you do not need an exam after undergoing the course.

British Columbia

For your license in British Columbia, you will need to complete hours of training in some professional courses. The recommended training is Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training Program. After which you must pass the exam. In addition to the academic program, you will also news the following requirements:

• 150-hour minimum — classroom format
• Pass provincially approved exams
• A minimum of 50 hours of Field training with a qualified Field Trainer
• Report Verification
• Peer Review Inspection (PRI) by an approved Evaluator

Other provinces in Canada may not require a licence to become a home inspector. However, you may need to take a home inspection course like the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training Program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary of home inspectors in Canada?

An early career Home Inspector with 1-4 years of experience earns an average compensation of C$60,741 based on six salaries. You can earn up to CAD 70,000, depending on your years of experience.

How long does your home inspection course for Canada take?

It takes about two to three weeks to complete a home inspection course in Canada. After that, you can become a home inspector, depending on your province. However, some provinces demand that you must pass an exam to become a home inspector in Canada.

What are the requirements to become a home inspector in Canada?

There are no specific education requirements to become a home inspector in Canada. Instead, you can take courses and apply for a licence if your province requires you to have one.

Do I need a licence to become a home inspector in Canada?

License is not compulsory for home inspectors in Canada. However, some provinces like Alberta and British Columbia require a licence for home inspectors.

Conclusion

Finally, anyone can become a home inspector in Canada. However, in provinces requiring a licence, you will find news to complete a course to become a certified home inspector in Canada.