In every industry there are great practioners and there are less than great practioners. At this time home inspectors are an unregulated group in Alberta and as I've indicated before their experience varies from very little to extensive.
Like many REALTORS® I've sat through numerous home inspections. You may ask yourself "why am I there?" It's the rules. Someone who is licensed must be present when the home inspection is going on. It's not hard to imagine why its not the seller's agent so the buyer's agent takes the task. The REALTOR® who is present is in charge and responsible for the home.
Recently I had a very upset seller because the home inspector was an out right jerk. The inspector broke the blinds on the front window, left the front load washer stopped and full of water, was extremely messy accessing the attic and obviously knew very little about furnaces among some other complaints.
If you use an inspector like this and you as a buyer go to renegotiate, get ready to be shot down. The seller was so steamed at how inconsiderate the buyer's inspector was that if there was a way out of the deal I think they would have taken it.
We have published some guidelines and information for you to consider when choosing a home inspector in the past. I highly recommend vetting your inspector carefully.
Someone who is licensed? You mean licensed as a realtor? Lots of people sell homes without a realtor (using comfree or sale by owner), and they would obviously not have a realtor present during the home inspection. Whose rule is this?
The rule only applies if a REALTOR® is involved in the sale. The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton made the rule and it applies to all members. Comfree IS for sale by owner so in that case the buyer and seller would have to come to an agreement regarding the inspection and who is present.
“Lots of people” – Last time I checked (earlier this year) Around 5% of all sales were private so it bears noting that the norm is a REALTOR is generally involved. The highest I’ve ever seen the sales of privately was 10%. The REALTOR’s Association of Edmonton does track this.
Sheldon
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BC boys are licenced and insured and for the most part they are also mindful of being tidy, considerate, and respectful of the home. A while back one bad-boy inspector refused to check the roof claiming he didn’t bring a ladder – Really! Buyer’s agent advised client not to bring their chequebook. Ques: If you were there and were responsible for the home – why didn’t you boot the guy in the ass for making all that mess. Last, what about their insurance – is that not a requirement in Alberta?
In this case, I was representing the seller and therefore was present for the inspection. Some buyers agents are not as considerate as you or I would be. In one case an inspector who was doing an inspection for my clients broke a lamp. I wrote a note to the sellers and left money for the lamp. I did not make a big fuss about it with the inspector and he compensated me for it later. Sometimes its all about how you handle the situation. However even as considerate as you and I are things do and can happen beyond our control.
E&O is not mandatory for inspectors in Alberta. I think we just found the one area where B.C. is ahead of Alberta.
Interesting. In Saskatoon, we accept “affiliate members” in our board. Most of the best inspectors are board members who operate under our rules, are subject to discipline when warranted and have lock box access. Licensed members are only required to attend if the buyer plans to be there. It seems to work well.