January, 2010

 

CBC's Market Place recently ran a program on Grow-Op Cover Ups, 'Can You Trust Your Home Inspector'.  Featured in the show were TV personality/contractor Mike Holmes and OAHI, CAHPI/Ontario president Glen Gogal.

The show emphasized the lack of knowledge and training that four home inspectors demonstrated in failing to recognizethe visible signs of homes previously used as Grow-Ops.   In the traditional Mike Holmes manner, some portions of the show were glamorized for TV. However, what was omitted, were some simple facts and truths about the home inspection profession in Ontario. 

As Mike Holmes pointed out, not all home inspectors are incompetent, but there was a need for improvement within our profession.  This is one area we are in total agreement, as our profession remains unregulated in Ontario.  For that reason alone, there are many people conducting home inspections that are not properly trained while others are falsifying their credentials as was pointed out during the show.  The fireplace was a major red flag missed by all the inspectors and in our opinion; mould should never be shrugged off as a minor defect.  

During a typical pre-purchase home inspection, a visual non-invasive inspection must be conducted and only if agreed upon by the vendor (the seller).  During  this inspection, one has to remember that neither the home inspector, nor their client (the purchaser) own this property and for this reason, are not permitted to roll up carpeting, remove pictures or mirrors, move furniture, or poke holes in walls, ceilings or floors.

Mr. Holmes usually conducts what is referred to as an "invasive inspection" where, with the permission of the homeowner walls or floors are removed.  When Mr. Holmes comes in, his invasive  inspection can mislead the viewing audience about what a home inspection should cover, how it must be conducted, what it should realistically uncover and Mike Holmes is not under the restrictions  that a professional home inspector must operate.  Envious circumstances perhaps, but not a very realistic depiction of the conditions and circumstances that the Ontario home inspection profession operates under.

Mr. Gogal', President of CAHPI-Ontario (OAHI) response on this issue was not helpful. It did nothing to reassure the consumer that the training offered their inspectors was geared to any protection from homes of this nature. 

PHPIO has been very pro-active in providing the training our inspectors need to identify Grow-Ops and Meth Labs.  Being in reasonable compliance with CAN-P-9, PHPIO cannot make this training mandatory for its membership but we do make it available as a continuing education recognized course. 

Clandestine Labs, Grow-Ops and Guns Seminars have been a huge success.   Working closely with The Home Inspectors Institute, the RCMP, Ottawa Drug Squad and First Responders, this training will be available again on April 16 2010 in Ottawa and will be recognized by PHPIO for continuing education credits.  Phase two of the Clandestine Labs, Grow-Ops and Guns Seminar (The Clean-Up Process)   is already in the works.   

PHPIO is a member driven organization open to the needs of the Consumer and Consumer Protection.  

In hiring a PHPIO inspector, a PHPI (Professional Home and Property Inspector) who has also successfully met the requirements of the NCA (National Certification Authority) is your assurance that you have hired a professional inspector. All full member PHPI's are National Certificate Holders.  The National Certification Program (NCP) is the NEW Gold Standard for Canadian home inspectors and is supported by CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).  PHPI's have proven their technical aptitude, expertise in report writing, communication skills, and powers of observation.  PHPI's are field tested during Test Inspections with a Peer Review process and must continually be re-tested every 5 years. The home inspection bar has been raised and only a select few home inspectors across Canada - measure up.

In an ever changing world, PHPIO leads the home inspection profession by example.  Discovering both the good and bad aspects of a home is what we do best!  We are all about Consumer Protection and offering the highest level of professional home inspection services available today.

To view the entire Marketplace airing of this show click on the link below or insert it into your browser

http://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/what-were-those-home-inspectors-smoking/article1423464/&hl=en 

 

Sincerely,

The PHPIO Board of Directors