OAHI: Ontario’s authority for home inspectors: legislated since 1994 under Bill Pr158
REGISTRAR’S MESSAGE
Membership Renewals
Hi Everyone,
Just a friendly reminder: Renewals are fast approaching: July 1, 2023.
Late fees start Aug. 1, 2023.
Those members who have not renewed by Aug. 1, 2023 will no longer be searchable on the OAHI website.
Kindly remember when renewing your membership to also review your insurance and upload a current copy if required.
To upload your insurance, log on to www.oahi.com using your username and password. Once you are in, click on the top right corner “Edit Profile” then “Insurance.”
If you have any questions regarding your renewal or membership, please feel free to reach out by email or phone.
Thank you,
Nicole Proietti
Administrator/Registrar
Ontario Association of Home Inspectors
100-3901 Highway 7
Woodbridge, ON L4L 8L5
416-256-0960
oahi@oahi.com
www.oahi.com
OPPORTUNITIES
Instructors Required
The Board of Examiners (BOE) of OAHI has openings for in-class instructors for the OBC and DRRC courses.
These opportunities were emailed to OAHI members.
Not an OAHI member? Join OAHI today.
OAHI’S UPCOMING EVENTS
Ontario Building Code Part 9: Health and Safety
OAHI is planning more in-class education this spring at the OAHI office/training centre. The office is located at 100-3901 Highway 7, Woodbridge, ON.
OAHI members in good standing can save on course fees.
The date for the Ontario Building Code Part 9: Health and Safety course is May 6 and 7, 2023.
The planning of the courses is based on participation and registration, so sign up right away.
To stay up-to-date, follow the training calendar and emails from OAHI.
The OAHI is also planning on the following courses later this year and into next.
- Ontario Building Code Part 9: The Building Envelope – Autumn 2023
- Defect Recognition and Reporting – Winter 2024
- Ontario Building Code Part 9: Health and Safety – Spring 2024
- Ontario Building Code Part 8: Septic systems – Autumn 2023
- Ontario Building Code Part 7: Plumbing House 2012 edition
- Ontario Building Code Part 12: Resource Conservation House 2012 edition
- Pool Inspections: “competent inspector” Letter of Completion
- Defendable Inspection Report Writing
- Advanced Moisture Investigation and Reporting
- Electrical Code Updates and Current Trends
- New Inspector Mentoring
Course dates and topics may be subject to change.
2024 OAHI Education Conference
The OAHI Education Conference is scheduled for Feb. 23-25 at the Courtyard by Marriott Oshawa. The theme is Educate:Elevate.
2024 OAHI EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Save the Date
Thanks to all the sponsors, exhibitors, educators, and especially the delegates who made the 2023 OAHI Education Conference a success. It was without a doubt great to be back to in-person education and networking.
We received such positive feedback on the courses, educators, exhibitors, off-site inspection, hotel and food that we thought we’d do it again next year— same place, same end-of-February date.
So mark that weekend off in your calendar and watch the OAHI newsletter and social media outlets for more information over the next months.
I look forward to seeing you all in Oshawa in 2024.
Andrew Dixon, RHI
Chair
OAHI Education Program & Conference Committee
conference@oahi.com
OAHI MEMBER PROFILE: STEVE OTT, RHI
Steve Ott, RHI of Ottawa Valley Home Inspections Ltd is a New OAHI Board Member
1. Why did you decide to be a home inspector?
My father was a builder, so I grew up in that environment. After close to two decades in high-tech I decided it was the time to try the industry, but as a home inspector, and I quit high-tech cold turkey.
2. How long have you been a home inspector?
It will be 20 years next year.
3. How long have you been an OAHI member?
I think all of my 20 years inspecting.
4. Why did you decide to be an OAHI member?
Wanted to be part of the biggest and best association in Ontario.
5. What do you love most about being a home inspector?
Helping people make a big decision and getting paid to do it. It’s like paid volunteer work.
6. What is your home inspector superpower?
There’s no real thing a as superpower but explaining how a house works to folks, especially first-time buyers is a big part of the inspection and quite rewarding.
7. What is your favourite home inspection tool? My Fenix flashlights. I use several on each inspection and they are bulletproof.
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Deals and Discounts from OAHI’s Members Perks Plus Partners
One of the many benefits of OAHI membership is our discount program, Members Perks Plus.
OAHI works with various vendors to help you save money and stretch your dollars. OAHI’s board members understand that as entrepreneurs/small business owners you want value.
You must be an OAHI member in good standing to use these offers. Contact information and discount codes were sent to OAHI members and are on the members’ side of the OAHI website. Not an OAHI member? Join OAHI today.
Mark’s Commercial digital coupon is available. OAHI members get 10 per cent off regularly priced merchandise in-store.
OAHI members in good standing can get discounts on printing and marketing at Staples. The digital coupon is available.
URS Insurance, Safety Express, Eye-Stick, HUB, Carson Dunlop, plus Storwell Self Storage, Panda Pay, Radon Environmental Management, Strategic Partners, Detailing Knights, Staples, HomeBinder, and All-Risks offer OAHI members discounts on their products and services.
If you have questions for OAHI’s partners about their products and services, send them to publicrelations@oahi.com and we’ll contact them. Answers will be published in this newsletter and on the OAHI website.
If you have suggestions for Members Perks Plus partners, contact membershipcommittee@oahi.com.
MEMBERS PERKS PLUS SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH PLUS
Save on Health Insurance With Your Member Benefits
Since not all medical costs are covered by the Province, look to Health Plus health insurance (eye care, dental, and more).
Did you know OAHI members get preferred rates on health and dental insurance from Health Plus? Health Plus plans provide excellent coverage, including travel emergency health and free wellness benefits. Plus, unlike other plans, your rates don’t go up with age. View coverage and rates.
Plus, How to Use Your Benefits for Self-Care
A lot goes into good health, and being mindful of how we take care of ourselves is important. You probably practice self-care even if you don’t realize it. Whether that’s hitting the gym, finding time to relax with family, or professional counselling. Your Health Plus member health insurance comes with free wellness benefits that can kickstart a healthy routine. You may be surprised to learn the ways health insurance can help. Learn more.
The Health Plus team has made improvements to the OPTIMUM plan. The plan now includes increased vision and major restorative dental maximums and higher limits for paramedical services. OAHI members will now receive preferred pricing, with lower than standard rates said Health Plus.
Download the new Health Plus rate sheet.
Don’t forget, your health and dental insurance is tax-deductible.
Contact Health Plus about your OAHI member Health Plus plan. The team is always glad to answer questions about your health and dental plan, or life, disability or critical illness insurance if that’s what you need.
Read more.
BUILD YOUR BUSINESS TIP
Voice Mail and Email
Activate your voicemail. You could be losing customers because they can’t leave you a voicemail message.
As soon as you get your phone, set up your voice mail: don’t just use the default setting. If the phone is just for your business, then state your name and your business name. Indicate when people can expect to hear from you: e.g. 48 hours or the next business day. If your email address is short, include it too. Speak slowly and clearly.
“Thank you for calling Robin at Sherwood Forest Home Inspections. Please leave a message. I will try to respond within 48 hours. You can also send me a text message or an email to robin@sfhi.com.”
Have someone listen to your outgoing message for clarity and professionalism. This is not the arena to try to sound cute or edgy.
If customers can’t leave you a message or can’t contact you, they will just call the next home inspector.
Your email signature is important too. Don’t advertise for the tech companies. Customers don’t need to know— or care— what device you are using on which network.
Create an automatic signature and just delete certain elements when they are not needed.
In your email signature include your full name (and designations e.g. P.Eng, RHI where applicable), business name, phone number, website, social media handles, and relevant affiliations such as OAHI. If you’ve won chamber of commerce award or two, include that information.
E.g.
“Robin Hood, P.Eng, RHI
Principal Home Inspector
Sherwood Forest Home Inspections
WETT certified
Licensed septic designer, installer & inspector
555-762-4663
robin@sfhi.com
wwww.sherwoodforesthomeinspections.ca
Winner: Storyville Chamber of Commerce Service Award”
If a past client wants to find your information to refer you or use you again, it will be easier to find Sherwood Forest Home Inspections, than “sent from “my who cares device, on whatever network.” Your contact information will be a few clicks away
Real Simple has more tips
INDUSTRY NEWS
There’s Plenty of Housing News From Across Canada
News items about home inspections, Tarion, the Trust in Real Estate Services Act etc. were emailed to OAHI members.
Not an OAHI member? Join OAHI today.
RECALL NOTICES
More Recall Notices Issued
Recall notices were emailed to OAHI members.
Not an OAHI member? Join OAHI today
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? #WWTT
1. Who let the dogs out? 2. I added supports! 3. I needed a couple more receptacles outside.
Photos submitted by David Cook, RHI of Paragon Inspections.
ENGAGE WITH OAHI
Share Your Knowledge and Milestones With OAHI Members
One of the many benefits of being an OAHI member is learning from each other. There’s a tremendous amount of knowledge in this membership.
Please send us (publicrelations@oahi.com) photos of the amusing “What Were They Thinking” items you come across during your home inspections (protect client’s privacy please) so we can share them here and online. Please include captions and why the defect is a problem.
What is your favourite home inspection tool? Tell us about it and include a photo of yourself with the tool: publicrelations@oahi.com.
If you have on the job safety tips, please send them to publicrelations@oahi.com. Send your ‘Build Your Business’ Tip to publicrelations@oahi.com.
Celebrating a milestone? Let’s celebrate together— virtually of course: 20 years as an OAHI member, upgraded to R.H.I., 25th wedding anniversary etc. Send us a note and a photo. Send content to publicrelations@oahi.com. Do you have news to share? Please include photos and logos.
Contact publicrelations@oahi.com for the questions for the OAHI member profile.
OAHI MEMBERS FORUM
New content gets posted to the OAHI Members Forum. Please check it regularly for surveys and more.
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
CONNECT WITH OAHI
CONTACT OAHI
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Office/Registrar: oahi@oahi.com • 416-256-0960 (no text messages)
Communications/Newsletter: publicrelations@oahi.com
Education Program & Conference Committee: conference@oahi.com
Members Perks Plus Program: membershipcommittee@oahi.com
President: president@oahi.com
BOE: boe@oahi.com
Our mailing address is:
Ontario Association of Home Inspectors
100-3901 Highway 7 West • Woodbridge, ON L4L 8L5
OAHI: Ontario’s authority for home inspectors: legislated since 1994 under Bill Pr158
Copyright © *2023*Ontario Association of Home Inspectors* • All rights reserved.
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