In the last post we talked about integrity, how important it is in the inspection industry. Each inspector must ooze integrity, for it builds trust. Unfortunately, there are those who do not. On the other side of the continent, and in another country, the inspection industry is losing trust. Although a world away, the situation in British Columbia is a black eye on inspection agencies everywhere.
This past January marked the 4-year anniversary of a home inspector-licensing program put in place in British Columbia. The B.C. government started the program after receiving numerous reports of fraudulent inspection agencies flooding the market. While initially the licensing program was seen as a positive change, four years later its success is up for debate.
Since its inception in 2009, the licensing program has failed to keep illegitimate home inspection companies out of the market. For example, in 2010 it was discovered that an inspection company that received their license was hiring home inspectors as long as they passed a quiz and paid $200. With no other requirements for becoming an inspector, it is a wonder why this company was even licensed in the first place. Worse yet, if this company became licensed, other cheap home inspection agencies may have passed through the system as well. It is disheartening to see such fraud in the B.C. inspection industry. The government program is certainly admirable. It, however, is not doing enough and bad apples are still falling through the cracks. There is no integrity.
The main problem is that the licensing program only requires home inspection companies to pass a bare minimum of requirements. There are loopholes and tricks that any company can use to become licensed, with the consumer ending up trusting an inspector who may not be truly qualified. In other words, it is too easy to acquire a license.
The situation in B.C. makes one wonder: how many fraudulent inspection agencies are out there? What can other inspection companies do to combat this rise in fraudulence? We cannot lose the trust of property-owners. If we lose that, we have nothing at all. What do you think?
When you need a home inspector that you can always count on, turn to the professionals at Center Grove Inspection. We put high-quality work and client satisfaction above all else. Integrity is in our blood!
-Jim
*Image courtesy of TUBS
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