Home inspections began as a consumer service in North America in the early 1970's in direct response to the growing demand by homebuyers to learn about the condition of a house prior to purchase. It is a unique discipline, distinct from construction, engineering, architecture, or municipal building inspection, and as such requires its own set of professional guidelines and qualifications.

The Canadian Association of Home Inspectors was formed at the National level in the early 1980's about 10 years after its affiliate, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Together CAHI and ASHI represent the oldest and most respected professional organizations of home inspectors in North America. There are seven active Provincial CAHI chapters across Canada.

CAHI(BC) was formed in 1991 and since then has played a major role at both the Provincial and National levels in shaping the Home Inspection Industry.

Following are salient facts in the chronological evolution of CAHPI(BC):

       2010

          April 10th. Helene Barton becomes Executive Director.

         CAHPI (BC) membership enrollment increases to over 300.

2009

January 30th. Solicitor General John van Dongen announces regulation of the home inspection industry in BC.  All home inspectors will be required to be licenced by the BPCPA as of April 1, 2009. 

June 19th.  Minister van Dongen attends CAHPI(BC) Spring Conference in Victoria and is personally thanked by CAHPI(BC) membership for his efforts in the regulation of the home inspection industry.  BPCPA representatives  attend the meeting to discuss their role in the process. 

 

2008

CAHPI(BC) launches new "Legal Benefits Plan" brochure.

Honourable John van Dongen, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, speaks at CAHPI(BC)'s September 20, 2008 Quarterly General Meeting.

Bill Sutherland, RHI, CAHPI(BC) President 2004-2008, elected President of CAHPI National.

CAHPI(BC) hires Helene  Barton as Association Registrar in February.

 

2007

CAHPI(BC) opens new office at 5-3304 Appaloosa Road, Kelowna, with the official opening on June 1.

CAHPI(BC) exams now proctored in-house in new office's boardroom.

The National Certification Program for home inspectors is now active in B.C.

 

2006

Barb Bell retires after 4 years as Registrar.

Information on National Certification Program (NCP) is put on CAHPI(BC) website.

CAHPI(BC) representatives meet with Solicitor General, John Les and provide a legislation package at no cost to the government.

 

2005

• CAHPI(BC) Government Liaison Committee meets with Minister Coell to discuss legislation for the Home Inspection Industry.
• CAHPI(BC) launches their new customer brochure at the April 23, 2005 Annual General Meeting.
• CAHPI(BC) membership and candidate applications surpasses the 200 member mark
• Vince Burnett, RHI is the recipient of the first CAHPI(BC) Presidents Award.
• CAHPI(BC) launches a pre-election public relations campaign and gains phenomenal support for legislation of the Home Inspection Industry from municipal governments and Chamber of Commerce offices.

2004

• CAHPI(BC) launches the Legal Benefits Plan, providing an alternative errors & omissions claims coverage for members.
• CAHPI(BC) hosts the 2004 CAHPI National Conference in Whistler, with inspectors from every province, two territories and the US in attendance.
• CAHPI(BC) meets with the BC Safety Authority to discuss electrical service reviews performed by CAHPI(BC) members.

2003

• CAHPI(BC) participates in Phase 2/3 of establishing a National Standard for Training and Certification of Home Inspectors.
• Government Liaison Committee goes to Caucus on April 10, 2003.
• New CAHPI(BC) website released to public.
• CAHPI(BC) creates Registered Home Inspector (Retired) membership level.

2002

• CAHPI(BC) invited to participate as member of the CSA Technical Advisor Committee of Standards Development for Shakes and Shingles.
• Government Liaison Committee (Larry Hipperson, Owen Dickie and Rose Marie Moore) meets with Hon. George Abbott, BC Housing Minister to discuss "Rights to Practice" issues.
• CAHPI(BC) releases its first Newsletter "Inspector@Home".

2001

• Occupation Standard completed and released to the public.
• Approval of funding for application for Phase 2/3 funding approved at the CAHPI national level. This is to include curriculum development, certification.
• processes and the Standards of Practice.
• Approval of revised format from one two-hour meeting, a month to a daylong training session and business lunch every three months. First meeting under revised format to occur in January 2002.

2000

• First complete Policy Manual adopted by CAHI(BC).
• First CAHI(BC) regional Meeting held in the Kelowna with 14 of a possible 18 members present.
• CAHI(BC) Members approve a Resolution to change the name of the Society to the "Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (BC).
• Both CAHI(BC) and WAPI (Western Association of Property Inspectors) approve new Purposes and By-Laws for the amalgamation into CAHPI (BC).
• CAHI(BC) and WAPI amalgamate into CAHPI(BC). This is the first successful amalgamation of provincial home inspection associations in Canada.
• At the national level, funding is approved to develop an Occupational Standard. CAHPI(BC) is one of the major contributors of funds and committee members.

1999

• CAHI(BC) Certification Exams adopted by Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. CAHI(BC) Exams now the most widely used certification exam in Canada.
• CAHI(BC) hosts CAHI National Educational Conference in Victoria.

1998

• Work continues throughout the year on CAHI(BC)/WAPI Amalgamation and development of a national standard for home inspections.
• CAHI(BC) Certification Exams shown to Home Inspection Associations across Western Canada.

1997

• CAHI(BC) and WAPI participate in national meetings in Toronto to review the December 1996 meeting reports.
• CAHI(BC) and WAPI participate in a meeting in Edmonton to form a committee to establish national standards for the home inspection profession. An agreed principal is that there will only be one organization in each province. CAHI(BC) and WAPI agree to begin negotiations to amalgamate.
• CAHPI(BC) begins use of it's own certification exams.

1996

• CAHI(BC) and WAPI participate in national meetings in Toronto to discuss a National Standard for Home Inspections.

1995

• BC Registrar of Societies issues and Occupational Title Protection Certificate to CAHI(BC) for the title "Registered Home Inspector" and initials "RHI".

1994

• CAHI(BC) establishes province wide phone line 1-800-610-5665 (1-800-610-LOOK).
• CAHI(BC) hosts the International CAHI/ASHI Mid-Year Conference.
• CAHI(BC) establishes a full time office in Kelowna BC.
• CAHI National evolves into "Association of Associations" with CAHI (BC) representing home inspectors in British Columbia.
• Representative from CAHI(BC) meets with CMHC in Ottawa to discuss the future of the Home Inspection Industry in Canada.

1993

• First policies adopted by CAHI(BC) Executive.
• The Registrar of Societies who issues Certificate of Registration number S-30216 accepts the Purposes & Bylaws of the Association.

1992

• Canadian Association of Home Inspectors (British Columbia) name registered with Province of BC.