​WETT Inspections Increasingly Difficult to Get

​While homeowners may require inspection of a woodburning stove, fireplace or furnace for personal safety and insurance purposes, increasing numbers of WETT Certified individuals are declining to provide this service for a variety of reasons.

In some locales companies and individuals alike are finding the cost of ongoing training and certification, coupled with rising liability and steeply rising insurance costs, have made this an unattractive business proposition.  Other companies such as wood-heating retailers who employ WETT certified individuals, are reluctant to “sign off” on installations other than their own, potentially leaving homeowners with uninsurable wood-heating installations.

Many municipal building departments that previously offered WETT inspections, are also increasingly reluctant to assume the risk of liability that comes with inspecting wood-heating installations.

With the rising costs of training, certification and liability insurance, the cost of a WETT Inspection - if you can get one, is likewise rising.  A Site Basic (Level 1) Inspection will cost upwards of $350 and the cost of a Level 2 or Level 3 Inspection where disassembly or excavation of material is required, will cost substantially more.

Homebuyers need to think about the woodburning appliances in their new home and discuss insurance requirements and any options available, with their Realtor and Insurance Broker well in advance of the closing date of their home purchase.

You can learn more about WETT Inspections and identify WETT Certified individuals at the WETT corporate website:  www.wettinc.ca