Diploma in Home Inspection

Course Outline

Introduction to Computers and Keyboarding Skills: This course will provide students with the ability to understand the basic components of the computer, how the operating system works, tips and techniques to search and locate information on the internet. In addition, students will learn proper keyboarding techniques to improve their speed and accuracy.

Microsoft Word: Microsoft Key Office Applications presents skills training and assessment for a broad range of computing concepts and techniques. Students will gain competency the key applications of Microsoft Office covering the facets of word processing, spreadsheet management & creating presentations.

MS Excel: In this course, students will gain the basic skills needed for creating and editing basic working sheets for a variety of purposes and situations. Students will learn how to manage and audit numerical reports, analyze data, organize and calculate business information, prepare inventory reports, budgets, invoices and charts.

MS PowerPoint: MS PowerPoint teaches students how to create and manage presentations using a variety of core and intermediate features.

MS Outlook: This course teaches students how MS Outlook is structured, and how to use the various modules to coordinate communications and collaborations with others. Modules covered in this courseware include Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Notes. Also included are some features commonly used for collaboration purposes such as creating distribution lists or groups, cleaning up your system, marking junk mail, and how to check the size of your Outlook data file.

Customer Service Management: Students explore service relationships with customers in both consumer and business markets. Students learn how to recruit, retain, and develop loyal customers who will contribute to an organization’s overall profitability.

Introduction to Marketing Management: The course is designed to introduce marketing to students. Beginning with the analysis of consumer behavior, there is a detailed description of all the elements of the marketing mix and the tools used to minimize risks in decision making.

Marketing Analysis and Management Skills: This course will provide an introduction to the concepts of effective management in organizational settings. It will cover a broad range of topics including the organizational processes associated with the function of management – planning, organizing, leading and controlling. However, it will also go further to consider the relationship between an individual and an organization, and between the organization and the society in which it operates. It will highlight the need for these relationships to be beneficial to all. The course also provides an introduction to marketing analysis, planning and delivering marketing strategies. Students further study marketing theories, discuss contemporary marketing topics, and the development of a marketing plan.

Bookkeeping & Financial Accounting I: Students will analyze and record business transactions using the rules of double-entry bookkeeping. In addition, students will learn how to prepare to adjust journal entries and prepare basic financial statements.

Bookkeeping & Financial Accounting II: Bookkeeping and Financial Accounting level 2 builds on the Level 1 foundation and includes the following areas: Using Special Journals and subsidiary ledgers, recording entries for merchandise companies, assigning costs to Inventory LIFO, FIFO, Moving Weighted Average, Specific Identification Petty Cash, and Bank Reconciliations, and payroll accounting.

Sage 50 Accounting: This course provides a practical introduction to Sage 50 Accounting. Students learn how to set up a computerized accounting environment and record transactions in the General, Payable, and Receivable ledgers by working with a variety of business simulations.

Insulation & Interiors: This module focuses on two different parts of the home as it teaches the student how to inspect home insulation and ventilation systems and home interiors like an experienced, competent home inspector. In the Insulation and Ventilation section, modern building standards are explained along with the principles of heat transfer. The Interior section addresses floor, wall and ceiling finishes as well as stairs, windows, doors, and wet basements. How things are built, what goes wrong and why it matters are all addressed.

Communication & Professional Practice: 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 important that the home inspector be able to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure that clients understand the inspection results and the report.

This course will provide the student with an overview of the home inspection profession and teach the student many of the verbal and written communication skills, reporting requirements and proper conduct for a professional home inspector.

Roofing: This module is designed to teach the student how to inspect roofs like an experienced, competent home inspector. This, the module describes both sloped and flat roof construction. Detailed descriptions and illustrations help to explain flashing details and the intersections that are often problems on roofs. Roof problems, causes, and implications are identified for all of the common roofing materials. Included are sections on how to inspect roofs and what to watch for with various roofing materials.

Structure: This module will teach students how to inspect the house structure like an experienced, competent home inspector. All the structural elements of a building from the footings and foundations to the floor, wall and roof assemblies are addressed in considerable detail. Elements of good construction are explained and illustrated, along with common failure modes and how to identify them.

Electrical: This module is designed to provide people who do not have an electrical background with the skills necessary to perform the electrical part of a professional home inspection. It starts with a description of ofhouse electricity and develops an understanding of the basics. The course addresses getting electricity into the house and distributing it safely to its end-use points including switches, lights, and receptacles.

Exterior: This module will teach the student how to inspect building exteriors like an experienced, competent home inspector. It starts with an illustrated description of architectural styles. Descriptions of wall systems, windows and doors are included, along with a discussion about how to inspect and identify problems. Exterior structures and landscaping features are also addressed.

Heating I: This module will teach the student how to inspect heating systems like an experienced, competent home inspector. It provides an introduction to residential heating systems, starting with a description of fuels and then focusing on furnaces and boilers. Detailed instructions on operational tests, common failure modes and life expectancy of various systems are included.

Heating II: The heating discussion is continued in this module with a focus on chimneys, wood heating, fireplaces, steam heating, electric heating systems, and space heaters. Each topic starts with a description of how the system works, concentrating on inspection strategies, test procedures, and problem identification. The information is presented in a straightforward fashion with clear diagrams. Students will apply knowledge of the systems learned here to the role of the home inspector.

Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps: This module will teach the student how to inspect air conditioning and heat pump systems like an an experienced, competent home inspector. These complex mechanical systems are broken down into simple components. The course starts with the basic principles of operation and builds an understanding. Considerable detail is provided on how these systems fail. Students learn to identify typical defects and apply correct inspection techniques.

Plumbing: This module teaches students how to inspect residential plumbing systems like an experienced, competent home inspector. The plumbing course is broken into four segments – supply piping, water heaters, waste piping, and plumbing fixtures. The physics of water is covered at the beginning in a simple, common sense way. Instruction on how systems work and common failure modes are provided.

Knowledge and Skills Gained

Upon completing this course, students would be able to:

• Knowledge of the Ontario Building Code, Ontario Building Code Act, including life safety systems, and other applicable legislation/construction standards.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations relevant to building construction.
• Considerable knowledge of the work performed by the various professionals and sub-trades on a construction project.
• Knowledge of the responsibilities and the jurisdiction of other Departments, Provincial and Toronto agencies.
• Knowledge of the construction of all types of buildings.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, codes, and by-laws.
• Good written communication skills with the ability to prepare concise detailed and accurate reports, correspondence and operate a computer.
• Good oral communication skills and the ability to submit oral evidence in court.
• Ability to deal effectively and courteously with customers, general public and all levels of staff by telephone, in person and in writing.
• Skilled in the use of computer technologies.
• Good interpersonal, problem solving and conflict management skills.Ability to plan, organize and manage work with minimal supervision and complete assigned duties accurately and within timelines.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
• Physically capable of performing required duties and the ability to work in all weather conditions.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of Diploma Accounting and Business Management could apply for vocations such as:

• Home Inspector
• Housing construction inspector
• Building Inspector

Admission Requirements

High School Graduation Diploma or Mature Student Status (18 years of age academic achievement assessment passed)