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Training for a Home Inspector

By Roger Frost


There is online training, two week courses and part time night courses all offering to train individuals to become home inspectors and start making thousands of dollars a week.

Although they are investing in the biggest purchase that most people make in their life people do not typically check the qualifications of their Home Inspector. Most people usually use the inspector recommended by their Realtor. There are many "online certificates" available which only require an hour of online reading to obtain. The highest rating for any qualification is typically from the government. Tradesmen will have a provincial license and any government association is also recommended.

In Ontario Realtor are required to refer at least 3 Home Inspectors to their clients. Some Realtors do not refer Home Inspectors and allow home buyers to research and choose their own.

Many lower priced properties will attract certain Realtors who will always have a home inspector that will just skim over the deficiencies in the home to avoid scaring off the buyer. When the home buyer and the home inspector both have no experience in repairing homes it can be an expensive learning curve for the home owner. I am always busy when those Realtors call to book an inspection.

Good home inspectors will have the training, knowledge and experience to be able to explain the scope of work required to repair a deficiency and also give a ballpark estimate of possible cost. Some Realtors will try and gloss over a potential deficiency if they think it will scare off the buyer while others will accurately describe the work involved and costs that previous clients have incurred.

Some of the main deal breakers I have come across involve asbestos insulation, aluminum wiring, galvanized plumbing and deteriorating foundations. An educated buyer will research most major deficiencies themselves so that they can make an educated decision. Whenever there is a major deficiency un-covered in a home the buyer should step back from the process and take the time to make an informed decision based on the facts.

See what your home inspector training actually involves. Were all the certificates posted on his site from online diploma mills or are there actually some government trade or association certificates. Your home inspector should have some prior building experience other than renovating his own basement. Many home inspectors list anything they have ever done in their life as part of the home inspection training. Knowing how to nail studs on a wall spaced at 16 inch centers would not be a prerequisite to hiring a home inspector.




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asbestos training said... on 

Medway Safety Ltd offers a variety of On-line health and safety training courses.
There fire safety e-learning course will help reduce clients training costs as employees can undertake the fire safety training in house, one module at a time, with minimal impact on staffing.

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