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Home and Property Inspector, Inspector
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Home inspectors visually inspect house and apartment systems and components. They look for damage, evidence of deterioration, amateur maintenance work, and improperly installed components. Potential buyers or sellers hire them to prepare detailed reports. Reports may be narrative or may include detailed checklists with photo images, and notes about problems and what could happen if repairs are not made. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, home inspectors cannot sell real estate or repair problems identified during inspections.
Inspectors may probe structural components that show signs of deterioration if they can do so without damaging finished surfaces. Otherwise, they note their observations in reports and may recommend further evaluation.
On building exteriors, home inspectors check items such as:
On the roof, they check:
An inspection from the ground or roof-edge is acceptable if the roof is unsafe.
Inside, they check items such as:
Home inspectors do not normally check items such as chimney flues that are not readily accessible. They also do not check the operation of accessories such as air filters, water softeners, and lawn sprinklers. However, technology such as infrared cameras, flexible scope cameras, and drones are being used more and more to inspect concealed and hard-to-access components.
Inspectors who offer extra services, such as fireplace, septic tank, or well inspections, are performing the duties of a general contactor. They must therefore obtain the insurance needed to protect themselves, as these services are most often sub-contracted.
Self-employed home inspectors usually work from home. Hours are flexible but may be long when there is enough daylight to work evenings. Inspectors may work weekends to meet deadlines and accommodate clients’ schedules.
The warmer months are usually busiest for home inspectors. In the winter, hours of work may be reduced to part time or less.
The work can be physically demanding. Home inspectors often must squeeze into tight spaces, lift heavy items, and climb onto roofs. To avoid injury, they must follow safety precautions when inspecting electrical systems, roofs, and other components.
The work can also be emotionally demanding. Dealing with real estate agents who want to close sales quickly and clients who have unrealistic expectations can be stressful.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Construction inspectors
2023 OaSIS: 22233.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Home inspectors need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 31 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 30, 2021 and Oct 07, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Type of Inspection: New and existing buildings | 15 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Examine plans, drawings and site layouts | 14 |
| Tasks: Ensure compliance to drawings, specifications and building codes | 14 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 12 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 12 |
| Attention to detail | 12 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 11 |
| Green Job: Involves duties and responsibilities that lead to positive environmental outcomes | 10 |
Most inspectors have a combination of education and training in one or more related fields. For example, they may have journeyperson certification as carpenters, electricians, or plumbers. Or they may have taken courses in civil engineering or architectural technology.
Home inspectors should have a working knowledge of safety code requirements but need not be experts in safety codes inspection. They may have extensive work experience in construction or maintenance. They require in-depth knowledge of:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
While being a member of an association is not required, it is considered an asset and valuable for staying updated with advances in the field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Home inspectors visually examine buildings and write reports about the condition of their major components. These could include interior and exterior systems such as the roof, overall structure, insulation, plumbing, electrical, and heating.
Under Alberta’s Consumer Protection Act [pdf] and Home Inspection Business Regulation [pdf], home inspection businesses and individual home inspectors must be licensed by the Government of Alberta.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Home Inspector.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most home inspectors are self-employed. People hire them to provide an unbiased opinion about the condition of a house or an apartment they are thinking of buying or selling.
To start their own business, home inspectors need a reliable vehicle, a computer, and certain tools. For example, they need a ladder, a moisture meter, and gas and carbon monoxide detectors. They also need financial resources to cover overhead costs.
Home inspectors must also have E&O insurance. E&O stands for errors and omissions. This protects them if they are sued to pay for or repair problems they did not detect during their inspection.
Some inspectors purchase franchises that provide support, training, and marketing services.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Construction inspectors
2016 NOC: 2264
83.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Incomes for self-employed home inspectors vary depending on the inspector’s qualifications and skills in business, marketing, and customer service. Income also varies by season, with spring through fall being the busiest.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $25.00 | $53.69 | $40.74 | $43.41 |
| Overall | $33.00 | $64.49 | $46.50 | $47.46 |
| Top | $34.50 | $65.47 | $48.87 | $52.66 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $94,001 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $91,725 |
| Public Administration | $97,297 |
Alberta Professional Home Inspectors Society (APHIS) website: aphis.ca
Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI national) website: www.cahpi.ca
Master Inspector Certification Board, Inc., Certified Master Inspector (CMI) website: certifiedmasterinspector.org
Safety Codes Council website: www.safetycodes.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
