Some words of advice from the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors of British Columbia — CAHPI (BC):

It used to be that a grow-op in a town or neighbourhood was used until it was publicly unmasked or the house was destroyed. Now illegal grow operators take a quick crop from a house, re-paint the interior to mask any obvious damage, then dump it on the

market.

With an increasing percentage of real estate available for sale in BC having previously been used as marijuana grow-op sites, CAHPI (BC) wants you to know some of the warning signs:

• Holes or patches in the ceiling in unusual places, or a patch in the drywall close to electrical services.
• Painted-over staple marks, or evidence of plastics stapled to walls or ceilings.
• Disconnected toilet or dismantled furnace makeup air connection.
• Extraneous ductwork, or a pile of unused duct pipe.

These indicators do not mean a house must have been used as a grow op, but they do mean you need to pay attention, and ask questions because buying a home represents the single largest financial decision people are likely to make in their lives.

Consumers who seek professional and qualified advice to help make the decision to buy a home deserve to know that the individual they hire is trained and qualified. With over 200 Registered Home Inspectors in 178 BC communities, CAHPI (BC) is the only
recognized national organization dedicated solely to home and property inspections, and the voice of home and property inspection industry in British Columbia.

So if you think a house may have been used as a grow-op, don’t take a chance, contact people who can help you make an informed choice.

Contact CAHPI (BC) toll-free at 1-800-610-5665.