Who can do a building inspection?
December 12th, 2022
Are you thinking of buying a new home or building and wondering if a home inspection is necessary? It is indeed a necessary step to ensure that you know what you are buying and to plan for any work in your offer to purchase. But who can perform this inspection? Is there an accreditation? The following article will give you information on the subject so that you can make an informed choice.
Who can do an inspection?
In Quebec, the profession of building inspector is not regulated by law. In other words, in theory, anyone can become a home inspector. It is therefore even more important to be cautious when hiring a professional. You need to make sure that they are qualified to do the job. To do this, you can check if the inspector is a member of a professional order that oversees his or her practice and if he or she has liability insurance. Furthermore, if an inspector is also a member of the engineering order, this allows him to perform larger inspections (commercial and industrial buildings) with reports approved by financial institutions. These are a few indicators that can help you make your decision and verify the competence and seriousness of a building expert.
Training
In terms of training, there is no single path to the title of building inspector. There are many ways to become a good home inspector. First, you must take specialized training in building inspection. As previously mentioned, there are several. The latter must lead to an AEC, an attestation of collegial studies in building inspection. This allows the student, once he has obtained his diploma, to take his first steps in the world of inspection. This training will allow him to master the concepts and resources necessary for the visual inspection of a building. The concepts of envelope, structure, building mechanics, pre-purchase inspection, writing inspection reports, real estate rights, etc. are addressed to allow the candidate to develop his knowledge.
Becoming a member of an association
Once the training is completed and to compensate for the lack of legislation surrounding the profession, several associations and organizations help to ensure the protection of the public thanks to numerous rigorous criteria. If the inspector you choose is a member of one of these associations, it means that he or she meets these criteria. The Quebec Association of Building Inspectors (QABI) is the association with the most members in Quebec. You can therefore rely on it.
The title of certified inspector
To obtain the title of certified building inspector, you must have performed 250 inspections. You must also have been practicing as an inspector for a minimum of 6 months and undergo an additional audit by the AIBQ, to reaffirm that your work meets the organization’s standards.
Do not hesitate to ask questions to the person you wish to hire to ensure that you are well accompanied in your purchasing process. Buying a house, building or any other building is an important step, so it is best to minimize the risks.
