Home Inspection Courses (Online)

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. A minimum of a high school diploma, 19 years or older at the start of the applicant’s program or course; and
2. English Language Proficiency Requirements.

For more details, please see our Admissions Policy.

Format

Home Inspection courses are offered in a LIVE Online format through face-to-face instructor-led webinars using Adobe Connect and Schoology.

Duration

250 hours.

• Webinars are held twice a week, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm;
• Students are also expected to spend a minimum of 20 hours of self-study per course.

LIVE Online

• HI-B (Business Practices/Standards of Practice, BC): April 18, 2019 – May 21, 2019
• HI-S (Structure): May 23, 2019 – June 25, 2019
• HI-E (Electrical): June 27, 2019 – July 30, 2019
• HI-H1 (Heating I): August 6, 2019 – September 5, 2019
• HI-H2 (Heating II): September 10, 2019 – October 10, 2019
• HI-AC (Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps): October 15, 2019 –November 14, 2019
• HI-P (Plumbing): November 19, 2019 – December 19, 2019
• HI-IN (Interior/Insulation/Ventilation): January 2, 2020 – February 4, 2020
• HI-EX (Exterior): February 6, 2020 – March 10, 2020
• HI-R (Roofing): March 12, 2020 – April 14, 2020

Send Inquiry / Apply

HI-S: Structure

This course focuses on the following structural components of a residential dwelling: foundations, floors, walls, and roof structures. Students learn to apply knowledge of structures to inspections that focus on system performance, safety concerns and compliance with good construction practices.

HI-E: Electrical

This course starts with a description of house electricity and develops an understanding of the basics. The course moves on to address getting electricity into the house and distributing it safely to its end use points including switches, lights and receptacles. The course is designed to provide students who do not have an electrical background with the skills necessary to perform the electrical portion of a professional home inspection.

HI-H1: Heating I

This course focuses on residential heating systems, starting with a description of fuels and then furnaces and boilers. Detailed instructions on operational tests, common failure modes and life expectancies of various systems are included. Each topic starts with a description of how the system works. This course concentrates also on inspection strategies, test procedures and problem identification.

HI-H2: Heating II

This course focuses on chimneys, wood heating, steam heating, electrical heating systems and space heaters. Each topic starts with a description of how the system works. This course concentrates also on inspection strategies, test procedures and problem identification.

HI-AC: Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

The emphasis in this course is on cooling systems and heat pumps. Considerable detail is provided on how these systems fail. Students will also learn to identify typical defects and apply correct inspections techniques.

HI-P: Plumbing

This course prepares students to inspect, in a residential dwelling, the interior water supply and distribution systems (including fixtures and faucets), as well as water heating equipment and drain/vent/waste systems and their related fixtures.

HI-IN: Interior/Insulation/Ventilation

This course focuses on the inspection of thermal insulation, vapour retarders and ventilation systems, as well as the inspection of interior elements of residential dwellings such as walls, ceilings, floors, basements, doors, windows, interior stairs/railings, installed countertops and cabinets, and garage doors/door operators.

HI-EX: Exterior

This course covers retaining walls, grounds, window wells, lot grading, driveways, patios, walkways, decks, balconies, stoops and steps, porches, railings, wall cladding, flashing trim, eaves, soffits, fascia, as well as exterior doors and windows. Students learn to describe the exterior wall covering and inspect all aspects of the exterior named above.

HI-R: Roofing

This course describes the 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 the common roofing materials. Included are sections on how to inspect roofs and what to watch for with various roofing materials.

HI-B: Business Practices/Standards of Practice (British Columbia)

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 is able to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure that clients understand the inspection results and the report. Students develop their oral and written communication skills and learn the reporting requirements and proper conduct for a professional home inspector.

Online Students

Ashton College uses Adobe Connect and Schoology to provide a set of software tools designed to help instructors and students connect and collaborate online. Students should have regular access to a computer, laptop or smartphone to access all class materials.

Students should have a webcam and headset, or a microphone and headphones to participate in webinars. High-speed internet access is also required. To view the full technical requirements for Schoology, please click here and to view full technical requirements for Adobe Connect, please click here. Make sure to run a test to ensure your device will run Adobe Connect. You may be required to install the Adobe Connect browser addin. If so, you will be presented with instructions to do so when you first access a meeting.

Adobe Connect mobile app is only available on Android and iOS. It is mandatory to run join an adobe connect meeting on a mobile device. Recorded sessions are not accessible via the mobile device app, students will need to use a desktop/laptop to view the recorded sessions.

The registration fee for these courses is $295* per course.

Note: The textbook must be ordered before the start of the course. When you register for each course, you will receive an Ashton College Student Code to order books at the reduced price of $250 per course (plus shipping and applicable taxes).

* Does not include the cost of all required materials and/or textbooks in the registration fee.