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COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, B3H 4R2 | +1 (902) 494-2526
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Home Inspection Certificate



In partnership with: Carson Dunlop and Associates
Recognized by: Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI)

There has never been a stronger demand for home inspections than there is today. Consumers today have a need to be better informed and want maximum value for what is often their largest financial decision - purchasing a home. Home inspection is a consulting service that helps educate prospective home buyers. If you are a hands-on type of person with practical knowledge of building and related systems, a career as a professional home inspector will be extremely rewarding. This certificate program has been designed for already established home inspectors with a need to stay current in their chosen industry as well as those wanting to enter an exciting and growing profession.

Dalhousie University College of Continuing Education, in partnership with Carson Dunlop and Associates, is offering a ten module Home Inspection program that is recognized by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI). The Carson Dunlop and Associates program complies with CAHPI’s accepted Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The ten modules in this certificate address the systems and components of a house, including: structure, roofing, heating, electrical, air conditioning/heat pumps, plumbing, insulation, interior, exterior, communication and professional practice. The curriculum has been developed to study the construction of a house, what may go wrong, and how to address problems that arise. The program gives students clear direction concerning what to look for in an inspection, how to report visual defects and how best to communicate with clients and stakeholders. The program is a combination of theory and best practices with an emphasis on practical applications. All modules are offered three times per year.

Carson Dunlop:
Carson Dunlop & Associates is a consulting engineering firm which has been devoted to building inspections since 1978. The Carson Dunlop and Associates Home Inspection training program is recognized and recommended by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) across Canada. The Carson Dunlop program complies with CAHPI’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Dalhousie University College of Continuing Education:
At the College of Continuing Education, you will discover a rich diversity of learning opportunities. You will benefit from the opportunity to network, generate new ideas, critically examine contemporary issues, build community connections, develop innovative practices, and build professional and personal strengths. The College of Continuing Education at Dalhousie University, is the leading Canadian provider of professional development in many technical disciplines including Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Information Technology.

The Role of the Home Inspector
  • To visually inspect and report on the interior and exterior physical structure and systems of a house from the foundation to the attic.
  • To provide the homebuyer with a detailed report.
  • To provide expert advice on regular maintenance and needed repairs.
Learning Objectives
  • Recognize defects and conditions through a visual inspection and implications for system performance.
  • Identify safety concerns for the occupant, the inspector and the buyer.
  • Ensure the appropriate use of terminology is used while conducting an inspection.
  • Be able to describe the type of home and the materials used in a home.
  • Perform home inspections that are consistent with the standards of the home inspection profession.
Admission Requirements
The Home Inspection profession is a relatively new and growing profession. Home inspectors can draw from skills related to construction and renovations; however, a technical background is not required to enroll in this program. If you have good communication skills, enjoy meeting people, and have an interest in how things work, this profession is for you. Life long learning is necessary in this field, as there are new challenges and opportunities every day - new building materials, changes in regulations in home construction, etc. The Certificate program offered by Dalhousie University College of Continuing Education and Carson Dunlop will help you build a successful career as a home inspector.

Once you have completed an application for consideration, the Program Director will discuss your acceptance to the program and create a learning plan and timetable to ensure expectations are met. If accepted, the sequencing and module selection generally depends on the goals of the student for program completion and the amount of time that can be devoted to the program. Those who do not wish to complete a full certificate are welcome to register for individual modules. Please contact Dawne Walker, Program Manager at 902-494-8837 or Dawne.Walker@dal.ca or Debbie Gordon, Program Director at 902-494-2100 or Debbie.Gordon@dal.ca to request an application.

Certificate Requirements
To be eligible to receive the Home Inspection Certificate, students must successfully complete the following modules:
  • Roofing Inspection
  • Structure Inspection
  • Electrical Inspection
  • Heating Inspection I
  • Heating Inspection II
  • Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Inspection
  • Plumbing Inspection
  • Exterior Inspection
  • Interior and Insulation Inspection
  • Communication and Professional Practice
Training Materials
You will receive a training package that includes easy-to-read materials along with hundreds of relevant illustrations and graphics that make concepts easy to understand. Supplementary learning materials to enhance your learning experience include visual presentations on CD-ROM.

Methods of Instruction
The modules will be delivered through a blended approach of printed material and online sessions. Each of the ten modules requires a minimum of 42 hours of study and you can work from the comfort of your own home or office. Academic terms are 14 weeks in duration. The benefits of this delivery method are that you can learn at your own speed, there are no travel or accommodation costs, and there is no need to take time away from your current employment situation. Blended delivery appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Exercises and practical quizzes allow you to check your level of understanding with feedback. With the mixed mode format you can stay connected with your instructor and other learners and share ideas with other participants in your online community. Support will also be available by telephone or email and instructional videos. CD-ROMs are included and self-testing quizzes will help you measure your knowledge.

Fees
The cost of each module is $560 including materials and instruction. Fees must be paid in full prior to course start.

To view the technical modules available in this certificate program click here.

We also offer a Building Your Home Inspection Business course where students create a customized two-year Marketing plan.