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:
| Starting | $33.23 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $38.23 |
| Top | $41.92 |
Interest in handling equipment and materials to inspect steel framework, concrete forms, reinforcing steel mesh and rods, concrete and pre-stressed concrete to ensure quality standards; and in inspecting construction sites to ensure safe working conditions are maintained
Interest in analyzing data from inspection of sites to verify that they conform to specifications and building codes, and from inspections and tests of electrical and plumbing installations to ensure that they comply with municipal, provincial and federal regulations
Interest in speaking with purchasers to inspect, assess and provide reports on new and resale homes; and in inspecting existing buildings to identify and report on structural defects, fire hazards and other threats to safety
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Home inspectors visually inspect house and apartment systems and components. They look for damage, evidence of deterioration, amateur maintenance work, and improperly installed components. They are hired by potential buyers or sellers to prepare detailed reports. Reports may be narrative or may include detailed checklists with notes about problems and what could happen if repairs are not made. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, home inspectors cannot be involved in the sale of real estate or the repair of 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 the roof covering, drainage systems, flashings, and roof penetrations such as skylights and chimneys. 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 check items such as chimneys 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 and drones is increasingly being used to inspect concealed and hard-to-access components.
Inspectors offering extra services, such as septic or well inspections, need to perform the duties of a general contactor and obtain the insurance needed to protect themselves, as these services are typically sub-contracted.
Self-employed home inspectors usually work from their own homes. 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 and emotionally demanding. Home inspectors routinely need to 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.
Dealing with real estate agents who want to close sales quickly and clients who have unrealistic expectations can be stressful.
Home inspectors need:
They should enjoy:
Most inspectors have a combination of education and training in one or more related fields. Examples include journeyperson certification as a carpenter, electrician or plumber, or courses in architectural technology, civil engineering or civil engineering 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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
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.
Home inspectors visually examine residential dwellings and write reports about the condition of major components such as the roof, structure, exterior and insulation, and plumbing, electrical, heating and other systems.
Under Alberta's Fair Trading Act and Home Inspection Business Regulation, home inspection businesses and individual home inspectors must be licensed by Service Alberta.
To qualify for a licence, inspectors must have 1 of the following: (1) a degree, diploma or certificate in home inspection from an approved educational school and a successfully completed test inspection, (2) a Registered Home Inspector designation from the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (Alberta), (3) a Certified Master Inspector designation from the Master Inspector Certification Board Inc. or (4) an approved home inspection designation or licence from an approved industry association or regulatory body. For official, detailed information about licensing requirements, contact Service Alberta or visit their website.
Home inspectors who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization in British Columbia may be eligible for licensing in Alberta if registered home inspectors in the 2 jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
Service Alberta
3rd Floor Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5J 4L4
Phone number: 780-427-4088
Toll-free phone number (within Alberta): 1-877-427-4088
Fax number: 780-427-3033
Website: www.servicealberta.ca
Most home inspectors are self-employed. They are hired by people who want an unbiased opinion about the condition of a house or an apartment they are considering buying or selling.
To start their own business, home inspectors need a reliable vehicle, a computer, and tools such as a ladder, moisture meter, and gas and carbon monoxide detectors. They need enough financial resources to cover overhead costs. Home inspectors must also have errors and omissions insurance. This protects against the possibility of being sued or being required to repair problems they did not detect.
Some inspectors purchase franchises that provide support, training, and marketing services.
Home inspectors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2264: Construction inspectors. In Alberta, 80% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the C164: Construction Inspectors occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.8% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $20.02 | $55.29 | $33.23 | $28.00 |
| Overall | $27.00 | $62.50 | $38.23 | $33.65 |
| Top | $27.45 | $69.71 | $41.92 | $37.00 |
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* 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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $98,181 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $80,724 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $75,924 |
| Construction | $71,027 |
| Manufacturing | $68,218 |
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
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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.