Home Inspection Certificate Program - Dalhousie University · Home Inspection Certificate Program...

Home Inspection Certificate Program

Dalhousie University College of Continuing Education

Friday, 22 February, 13

About Carson DunlopBackgroundConsulting Engineering firm that has focused on the home inspection profession since 1978. It’s one of the largest independent home inspection firms in North America.

Our Six Divisions:•Residential home inspection services

•Commercial building inspection services

•Energy Audits

•Home inspection training

•Continuing education

•Inspection reporting systems

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• Introductions

• About Home Inspection

• The Opportunity

• Industry Highlights

• What do Home Inspectors do?

• The Dalhousie University Home Inspection Program

• Questions

Today’s Agenda

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What is a Home Inspection?

• Professional consulting service offered to homebuyers and sellers

• Help people make an informed decision on the largest purchase most of us ever make

• Visual examination to evaluate the physical condition

• Educating clients about the home• Preparation of a written report

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Large and Growing North American Market

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Industry Highlights

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Employment Dynamics

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Market Demographics

• The average age increased by four years over the past five years• Aging demographic creates opportunities for new inspectors

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The Home Inspection Business

• Majority of Home Inspectors operate their own business• Many benefits to owning your own business

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Benefits of OperatingYour Own Business

• Ability to control your income

• Tax advantages of self employment

• Set your own schedule

• Work from your home office

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Average Inspection Fees

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Cost of Marketing

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Average # Of Home Inspections

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Opportunity Summarized

• Home Inspection is a large and growing industry• More than 11% of Home Inspectors will be retiring in

the next five to eight years• Average Home Inspector earns $70,000 annually. This

includes both part-time and full-time home inspectors• Opportunity to own your own business• Low start-up and operating costs• Great earning potential

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You Control Your Earning Potential

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What do Home Inspectors do?

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Pop Quiz• We are going to start with a few skill testing

questions

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What’s the Defect?

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Home Inspectors Help to Identify…

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Home Inspectors Help to Identify…

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Home Inspectors Help to Identify…

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Home Inspectors Help to Identify…

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Do you See an Issue?

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The Answer Alan 2012-07-30In the speakers note, I'd say, "....can casue significant basement or crawlspace leakage."At the end of the speaker's note, I'd say, "From here it soaks into the ground and through the foundation wall."

Friday, 22 February, 13

The Answer Alan 2012-07-30In the speakers note, I'd say, "....can casue significant basement or crawlspace leakage."At the end of the speaker's note, I'd say, "From here it soaks into the ground and through the foundation wall."

Friday, 22 February, 13

The Answer Alan 2012-07-30In the speakers note, I'd say, "....can casue significant basement or crawlspace leakage."At the end of the speaker's note, I'd say, "From here it soaks into the ground and through the foundation wall."

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The Recommendation

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About Home Inspections

• Focus on function, not cosmetics

• Two - three hour educational process

• 50% technical and 50% communication

• Broad knowledge across several disciplines

• More like a family doctor than a surgeon

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A Home Inspection is not

• An insurance policy, guarantee or warranty on the home

• An invasive or destructive exercise• Intended to identify concealed defects• A code or design review• An environmental review or energy

audit• Intended to predict the future or the

remaining life of components

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A Good Home Inspector …

• Has a technical mind and likes to figure things out

• Enjoys meeting and helping people • Is organized and a clear thinker • Is committed to continuous learning• Enjoys work outside of an office

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Home Inspectors’ Backgrounds

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• About the Program

• Program Structure

• Course Materials

• Formats

The Dalhousie University Home Inspection Program

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About the Program

• Our curriculum partner, Carson Dunlop, has 34 years experience in home inspection, performing inspections, training inspectors and supporting them

• They have developed a comprehensive 10-course program to help you build a successful career

• The Program moves through the learning cycle from first principles for each building system and component

• No previous construction experience or knowledge is assumed

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For each house component, we look at:

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The Courses

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Program Materials

• 10 courses in the Certificate Program• Technical courses include CDROMs

showing hundreds of actual field situations

• 400-page resource guide: used in all courses (Home Reference Book)

• Over 1600 illustrations for visual learning• Free Access to web based report writing

system: Horizon

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Course Sections

1. Objectives and Overview2. Study Sessions3. Scope and Introduction4. Line Drawings5. Field Exercises6. Inspection Procedure7. Inspection Checklist8. Tools List9. Self-Testing Quizzes and Practice Test

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Line Drawings for Visual Learners

Visual Aids

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Recognition and Credibility

Training recognized as the standard in the industry -

– Adopted and endorsed by several home inspection associations including ASHI® (American Society of Home Inspectors) and CAHPI (Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors) in several Provinces

– Accredited by the National Home Inspector Certification Council (NHICC)

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Horizon

• Free use of Horizon, Carson Dunlop’s powerful web based reporting system throughout student’s education

• Allows students to practice writing real world reports

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Home Inspection Can Open Many New Doors

Commercial InspectionsBuilding Code Inspections New Construction InspectionsInsurance Inspections Consulting Lending InspectorEnergy Audits Litigation Inspections Specialty Services

Mould Indoor Air Quality Pool & Spa Radon

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Building your Business

• Are you really planning your Marketing?• Avoid pitfalls and focus on winning

strategies• Design a customized two-year Marketing

Plan with our 10-week online course

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The Last QuizIdentify the defect

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What’s the Defect?

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How Do I Register?

For information on Registration and Fees please contact: Debbie Gordon

Program DirectorCollege of Continuing Education

Dalhousie UniversityPhone: 902-494-2100

Email: debbie.gordon@dal.ca

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Questions?

Thank you!Debbie Gordon

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