As a home inspector, building code knowledge is essential. Building Codes are the bare minimum standards to which you home must be constructed. Failure to meet these standards can entail a myriad of complex problems that will plague your home until resolved. Building codes, as applicable to residential homes, mainly concentrate on the following areas: Structural, Building Envelope, Health and Safety and Fire Protection and HVAC. This areas encompass the standards to which your home should have been built to. Some of the main reasons for consulting building codes, especially when doing repair work are, Insurance, By-laws and verification of conformance.

Insurance Policy Requirements

With some home owners insurance policies, coverage may not extend to repairs and modifications that violate local building codes. Although municipalities can not write their own building code they are enabled to pass by-laws which may restrict what and how you build.

Under certain circumstances the violation of code requirements is a violation of the law, with accompanying penalties. Occupancy may be denied and an Order to Comply may be issued. Failure to comply with an order can result in fines or in extreme circumstances the building department may have the work done and bill you for the costs.

The codes can also be extremely useful in the remodeling process as a means of verifying building contractors' proposals and recommendations. Contracts should not be allowed without compliance to building codes. Permits invariably cost money, and one of the standard justifications for the cost is that some form of inspection is provided by the issuing agency. Many people assume that the inspection carries with it some guarantee that the work has been done correctly, and the added inference is that if errors and omissions come to light in the future, there will be some recourse to the codes inspection agency. Not so! The vast majority of governmental inspections involve little more than perfunctory visits to the job site. If errors or omissions of inspection are made, no benefit accrues to the homeowner. This is not to say that such inspections are valueless, for codes inspectors consistently spot errors and conscientiously review corrective work. The problem is that the inspection carries with it no guarantee of completeness or accuracy.

The benefit of independent inspection

If a homeowner wants an inspection that is more complete and essentially has some guarantee, then he or she should contact a competent professional home inspector. A comprehensive home inspection should include the visual observation of a home's structural and mechanical systems from the roof to the foundation. The two-fold value of a good home inspector is both forensic and educational. A good home inspector will find problems before they find you. A good home inspector will also help you identify and understand problems and educate you on how to maintain your house well and enjoy it safely for years to come. Ask your home inspector what is qualifications are as pertaining to your local building code, do not accept some form of franchise training as an answer, a qualified home inspector will proudly quote his certificates from recognized agencies. My own certificates are issued by Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Housing and the Ontario Building Officials Association. I hold certificates in Structural, Building Envelope, Health & Safety, Legal Processes and the House Part 9. As you can see, although I have years of experience in building and renovating homes, inspecting and reviewing plans and design as a project review specialist, nothing can replace the education necessary provided by Building Code Certification. Also, many inspectors offer services for inspection of septic tank systems and water systems. To protect yourself, ask for their certification and proof of insurance, do accept their franchise training as a qualification. In Canada, insurance for septic insurance will cost the same amount as your basic home inspection insurance, this is usually around $4,000.00 and is issued as a separate policy. I normally recommend that my clients have their system pumped out by a licensed septic system company and have them inspect it at the same time, a small investment for a service you will require soon or in the near future. Remember to ask for qualifications! Caveat Emptor ?Buyer Beware?

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