Consumer Protection BC recently stressed the importance of reading contracts carefully when getting a home inspection. After investigations earlier this fall, the regulator found that up to half of all home inspector contracts contained clauses purporting to limit the liability of the home inspector, while omitting other required information.

As a real estate professional, you can help protect your clients by encouraging them to read the contract scope of work and know what’s included in their home inspection. Recommend that your clients:

• Obtain several quotes from licensed home inspectors;
• Ensure the proposed contract complies with section 12 of the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation; and
• Ensure the scope of work proposed by the home inspector includes any specific parts of the property that the client has concerns with.