Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know my inspector is a professional?

C. Brett Bernier is a member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and is a National Certificate Holder. He is currently the President of the Fraser Valley NACHI Chapter. He is also a B.C.T.Q. Certified Carpenter with over 20 years construction experience. He is certified through WETTBC as a Wood Burning Appliance Inspector. He is also certified through ESA as a Indoor Air Quality technician. He continues to upgrade his skills through workshops, seminars, and training courses.

Are all home inspectors the same?

Unfortunately the answer is no. Some inspectors do not follow basic industry standards and do not fully inspect all areas of your home. Brett Bernier follows a strict Standards of Practice code to provide the professional service you depend on. It doesn't really matter what association your home inspector is affiliated with. The bottom line is simply this...... Just how much effort is your inspector willing to put into your home inspection to ensure that your investment is a sound one?

Why should I choose your company?

• We use state of the art electronic detection equipment.
• We will perform your inspection to the best of our ability.
• We will meet or exceed both NACHI and CAHPI standards of practice.
• We provide you with the necessary information to make an informed decision.
• We are dedicated to customer service and provide follow up inspections (for a nominal fee) when components that failed the initial inspection have been repaired and require re-inspection.
• We are fully insured and bonded (error's and omission's insurance, commercial general liablity, criminal negligence bond) Would you let just any home inspector into your home?
• We have Certified Indoor Air Quality Technicians, trained to provide seven indoor air quality tests complimented by full laboratory analysis.
• We have WETTBC Certified Inspectors, trained to provide wood burning appliance inspections required by most insurance providers for fire insurance coverage.
• We continue to upgrade our education and provide inspection services that other inspection companies are not qualified to perform.

Who is the inspector really working for?

We work for you only. Without your written or verbal consent, your home inspector is not allowed to share any information about your home inspection report with anyone including your mortgage broker, banker, insurance agent or the seller. We do encourage you to share the inspection report with your realtor as he/she is working on your behalf.

Do I really need a home inspection?

Buying a home is probably the largest investment you will ever make in your lifetime. The fee for a professional home inspection is relatively small when considering the amount of money you are about to invest. We provide you with a comprehensive and unbiased report on the condition of the property. You can rest assured that your investment is a sound one.

Do I need my wood burning appliances inspected by a Wood Energy Technician Professional?

Most insurance companies require an inspection of wood burning appliances by a WETTBC Certified Technician before they will issue fire insurance. Check with your local insurance provider for details.

Should I have the home I am about to purchase inspected for mold and allergins and other indoor air contaminants?

A visual inspection for the presence of mold is not enough to determine if mold exists within the home. People with compromised immune systems, (cancer, asthma, bronchitis, allergies, etc.) cannot rely on "visual" confirmation to determine the presence of mold and other airborne contaminants. Air sampling must be performed to in order to assess whether or not these conditions exist. Is your family's health important? Then having your home tested for mold and alergins is equally as important.

What happens if I cancel the inspection?

If for some reason you have to cancel an inspection due to unforseen circumstances please notify our office 48 hours in advance. A cancellation fee of $200.00 will automatically be charged to clients who have not provided due notice. Our office requires 48 hours notice so that we have time to reschedule and plan our work week effectively. The $200.00 fee will be credited to an alternate inspection providing that the booking is made within 15 days of the original inspection date.

What happens if I have questions later on?

We are here to serve your needs and answer all your questions. Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. We will do our best to provide you with the answers. Technical service is provided free of charge for one full year.

What happens if I want to dispute an inspection report?

Any dispute arising from an inspection report will be settled in accordance with the Rules for the Conduct of Arbitrations of the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Canada, Inc. The assigned Arbitrator shall be both knowledgeable and familiar with the professional home inspection industry and any decision rendered shall be binding on both parties.

If the case is filed in provincial court, how do I know that settlement funds are available should the courts find the inspector negligent?

Fraser Valley Home Inspections carries erorrs and omissions insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 Should the inspector be found negligent the settlement will be paid directly to the plaintiff by the inspector's insurance carrier.