Overview
This program provides an opportunity to enter an exciting and growing profession. Home inspection is a consulting service that helps homebuyers make informed decisions about their prospective new home.
St. Lawrence College in partnership with Carson Dunlop and Associates and in cooperation with the Ontario Association of Home Inspections (OAHI), is offering a ten subject Home Inspection program that incorporates the Standards of Practice of ASHI/CAHPI (American Society of Home Inspectors/Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors). The program is based on curriculum developed by ASHI in conjunction with Columbia Assessment Services Inc., as a result of their Role Delineation Study of the home inspection profession.
Standards of Practice define a minimum and uniform standard for private, fee-paid home inspectors. Home inspections performed to these standards are intended to provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected.
The Carson Dunlop and Associates program has been adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Carson Dunlop program complies with ASHI Curriculum and Standards of Practice. The program also meets the Professional Home/Property Inspector Occupational Standards developed by the Canadian Home Inspectors and Building Officials Steering Committee for National Standards (CHIBO).
The systems and components of a house include roofing, structure, electrical, heating, air conditioning/heat pumps, plumbing, exterior, insulation and the interior. The ten subjects in this certificate have been organized to address each of these, as well as to provide students the communication skills and knowledge of professional practice required to be successful in this growing industry. Emphasis in this certificate is on very practical knowledge of the performance of the systems and components of a house, not on theory.
Curriculum has been thoughtfully organized into subjects that describe the materials used in the construction of each house system and how they are assembled. Content covers what may go wrong as well as the causes and the implications of problems that result. The program gives students clear direction concerning what to look for during an inspection: signs of non-performance due to old age, deferred maintenance, weather damage, and poor workmanship. It is this aspect of the program that distinguishes it from the knowledge of contractors or other building professionals.
Successful completion of the ten (10) courses in this program fulfills a portion of the academic entrance requirements of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) provided that a 70% average is maintained in each of the courses being submitted to OAHI for consideration. Students must still complete the Defect Recognition and Reporting Course, which must be taken through the OAHI directly, as well as the following Ontario Building Code courses:
• Part Nine – Building Envelope
• Part Nine – Health and Safety
For further information on these additional courses contact the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors.
To successfully complete this program, participants must complete ten (10) compulsory courses.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- The demand for part-time courses has increased to the point that we recommend you register early to ensure your acceptance into the course.
- Online courses are easily identified by CS at the beginning of the course code (i.e. CSSE 65 Accounting Basics 1)
- Textbooks and additional materials may be required for these courses. YOU are responsible for purchasing your textbooks and any additional materials for all courses. Please make a note of your course code (CS##) and see the bottom of this page for book order procedure.
Visit the Lifelong Learning catalogue for course details and to register.
Program Details
Program Outline
2023-2024
The emphasis in this subject is on typical defects of the various types of roof coverings, drainage systems, flashings, skylights, chimneys, and other roof penetrations. Students apply their knowledge of roofing to inspections that focus on system performance, safety concerns, and compliance with existing codes and standards.
This subject focuses on the following structural components of a residential dwelling: foundations and footings, floors, walls and roof/ceiling structures. Students learn to apply knowledge of structures to inspections that focus on system performance, safety concerns, and compliance with good construction practices.
This subject prepares students to inspect the performance of the following components of electrical systems within residential buildings: service drops, grounding systems, service panels, wiring systems, devices, and fixtures.
This subject covers installed heating systems (gas and oil furnaces and hot water boilers). Emphasis is on the inspector's ability to identify the energy source, type, material, condition, and safety concerns, as well as inspecting the heating equipment.
This subject covers vent systems, flues and chimneys, as well as fireplaces, other wood heating appliances, steam and electric heating systems. Students apply knowledge of these systems to the role of home inspector.
Emphasis in this subject is on cooling systems and heat pumps. Students learn to identify typical defects and apply correct inspection techniques.
This subject prepares students to inspect, in a residential dwelling, the interior water supply and distribution systems (including fixtures and faucets), as well as water heating equipment and drain/vent/waste systems and their related fixtures.
Focus is on the inspection of thermal insulation, vapor retarders and ventilation systems, as well as the inspection of interior elements of residential dwellings such as walls, ceilings, floors, basements, doors, windows, interior stairs/railings, installed countertops and cabinets, and garage doors/door operators.
This subject covers retaining walls, grounds, window wells, lot grading, driveways, patios, walkways, decks, balconies, stoops and steps, porches, railings, wall cladding, flashing trim, eaves, soffits, fascia, as well as exterior doors and windows. Students learn to describe the exterior wall coverings and inspect all aspects of the exterior named above.
The professional home inspector is required, both verbally and in writing, to describe the inspection process and communicate inspection findings to the client. It is imperative that the home inspector be able to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding of an inspection, once conducted. Students in this subject develop their oral and written communication skills, and learn the reporting requirements and proper conduct required of a professional in this industry.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must hold an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.) or equivalent or must qualify for mature student status (19 years of age or older).
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the program may find employment opportunities as a Consultant, Sole Proprietor and Home inspection business.
Program Contacts
Program Contact
SLC+ Continuing Education
LifelongLearning@sl.on.ca