In late 2008 I was encouraged by a realtor to become an inspector. After some consideration I finally agreed and registered with Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, full time studies, and graduated from Seneca College's Home Inspection program with High Honours in the fall of 2009; a program normally done over three years was completed in one year.
Subsequent to completing this Certificate, I began studies in the Ontario Building Code - the code which is the minimum that all buildings in Ontario must be designed and built. I now hold certificates from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for Part 9 - The House Health and Safety Requirements, and Part 9 - The House Building Envelope, both programs recently revised under the Ontario Building Code 2006.
In March of 2011, CMHC & The Builders Association, spearheaded a new program for Home Inspectors in Ontario to establish clear ground rules on how Home Inspectors can work with Home Builders, and New Home Buyers. The program is referred to as the New Construction Inspection. I completed and passed the exams for this program in July of 2011. ( A tip of the hat to the folks at Carson Dunlop for the patience taken to getting this program together and available to the community, and to the good folks at Tarion for there reviewing of the content.)
In January 2014, I successfully completed the practical and written exams for Thermal/Infrared Thermography, Level 1 for Buildings, which conforms to the guidelines of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) SNT-TC-1A (2006). The training was from The Snell Group, as taught by Greg McIntosh, P.Eng.
I was granted my RHI status from OAHI in 2014. It was a long journey to receive this certification.
As part of my membership requirements with OAHI and ASHI, I continue my education with industry recognized leaders in all aspects of building sciences, with heating, cooling and ventilation vendors, programmes on moulds and remediation requirements, the challenges of Grow-Ops and there identification (many thanks to the Aylmer Ontario Police College and their phenomenal staff!!) , as well as recommended and mandatory annual education from the OAHI.
In March of 2015, I qualified for and was accepted as an ASHI Certified Inspector by the American Society of Home Inspectors. This organization is quite often referred to as the 'Grand Daddy' of the Home Inspection industry.
I served on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors from 2015 until 2023. During this time I sat in the chair of Treasurer, and on numerous committees serving the membership of this provincial organization.
And when I am not doing inspections, you can find me out on the Bruce Trail leading hikes, or sharing family time with my growing family - 3rd generation now!
Other Experience
I have been a private investor and operator of residential rental property for many years. As part of the investment process I have invested in learning about all aspects of ownership, starting with what is the condition of the building and property.
Unlike most investors, I found that it was necessary to see what the inspectors were reporting on. After several hundreds of hours of walking through buildings with these inspectors, builders, and contractors, it has provided myself an invaluable basis of understanding in building design and operations, and how things can be innocently allowed to degrade, or maliciously altered to mask a problem.
With over a decade of hands-on investigation of properties ranging from century buildings, mixed residential/commercial structures, single homes to multiplexes, hi-rise condominiums and townhouses, I have developed a baseline of experiences and firsthand knowledge of what and where things can go wrong, to some very bizarre situations that defy common sense.
