AT this time in B.C. there is no mandatory government licensing requirement that ensures the ability or “minimum level of competency” for prop- erty inspectors, Stowly, this is changing yet, lor now, we as property purchasers must take more time and have a greater understanding of this vital aspect OF property acquisi- tion, The first thing we can do is change our atttudinal positioning in how we pur- chase. In ali service purchas- ing we are cither sold a ser- vice or We yo out and buy the exact: service we require. As consumers, in being sold a service it is the per- son/company selling the ser- vice that is in the driver's seat. They tell us what they will do, when they will do it, how much and on what terms we must pay. We then accept their conditions or look to another. In hiring a “home inspec- tion” service perhaps we. would be wise to reverse the rele. This requires us to know ezacely what it is we require the service to per- form. We theretore sct the ground rules thus we are in the driver*> seat. How do we apply this to hiring for a home inspection? “We must specifically set out what sve want inspected, the manner in which the inspection will be reported to us, examine the qualitica- tions of the service we intend to hire and set the terms and fee we will pay. Additionally we must ensure that the service we hire has our best interests at heart and will pestorm the service with some degree of warran- ty or certification. Let us start with the last, first: certification. Trug, there are no mandarory government licensing requirements where we can rely on their certifica- tion as protection. However, there is noth: ing that prevents us from demanding any person we engage to “certify” that the work/service they promise to deliver is done ina pro- fessional, knowledgeable and workmanlike nianner, That's it: We demand that the people we hire “certifv™ that they are capable of doing the work and thar the work they do is professional. Wow, there's a new concept: asking people to assume the | legal responsibility of doing what they prontise they will do in a professional manner they claim they are capable of performing. Having somcone certify their work makes them legal- ly accountable for the resuli of their work. Thus, as the home inspeczion industry has not yet formed a certification Process, we as the consumer must demand it. AS a note, an association of praperty inspectors does exist. The Western Association of Property Inspectors is a self governing association of property inspectors who promote and follaw a Code of Ethics and their reports state that any inspection by their members has been performed to the System Inspection Standards of WAPI. NEWS phote oy fessional home inspection service and that the written reports T prepare as a result of my inspection have been conducted ina aianner in This is a great start in the neh direction. if an inspec: ror will not certify their work, do not hire them. A simple clause in the contract you have with them might read as follows, “I hereby do certify that Pam fully knowledgeable and capable of performing a pro- property inspection guide- lines as set out by the Western Association of Property Inspectors.” alignment with the minimum Friday. February 5, 1999 — North Shore News ~ 47 inspectors everything passes a satisfae- tory inspection? No. There is always going to be an ele ment of risk. Even a protes- sional engineer, trained and competent, may miss some problems. Obviously, one simply cannot access al! areas In having such a clause in the inspection contract you arc, at the least, setting a minimum level of expected, competence and the inspee- tor accepting such terms will undertake a degree of legal accountability, Does this mean that vou can be 100% assured that See Plastic page 56 NEWS photo Julle iverson Weekend grounding WINDS were too high last Sunday for paraglider Brent Hazlett to take to the air, so instead he practised his ground-handling skills at Boulevard Park in North Vancouver. Feature Listing 6076 Blink Bonnie Ca ecoeoeneesosee Peas seroccarcseoresses ADDRESS: 6076 Blink Bonnie wees LOT SIZE: 23,709 sq. ft. INTERIOR SIZE: 2,000 sq. ft. NUMBER OF BEDROOMS: 3 NUMBER OF FLOGRS: 2 AGE: 1950 A ecosenonse ASKING PRICE: $1,950,000 Ceerreevesesecocnuce eoene oveceweneere LISTING AGENT: Allan Mark Angel, 221-1188! Pee re cece sree reas eesenneereeewunerseeseneeR SPECIAL FEATURES: Waterfront! It is my pleasure to offer for sale this magnificent waterfront property. The lot is over one half acre (23,790 sq.ft.) with 170 feet on the water. Gorgeous setting, beautiful established landscaping, easy water ; access, oceanside patics, little coves, many walkways through the gardens and a bungalow home built in 1950. This is one of the most exciting waterfront fots I've ever had for sale. Aflan Mark Ange? Angell, Hasman Associates (the Angell Group} Reatcy Ltd.