During the 1970's he became very vocal
in Vancouver, BC on radio, TV and in the press
accurately predicting that within 20 years some
of our dwellings would be rotting to the core,
given the research that was done at the time, the
wet west coast weather and the way buildings were
being designed, detailed and constructed. In the
early 1990's the truth became known. Ed Witzke
calls it spreading "architectural
cancer" in the midst of the rot and rust
belt of British Columbia".
During the 1980's and 1990's he was
featured in various publications and appearances
on radio and TV on the issue of rotting buildings
in Vancouver.
In 1993, he authored a book entitled
"The Complete Canadian Home Inspection Guide
" published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson. This
book teaches where and how to look for symptoms
indicate any present or future problems when
purchasing or renovating a house.
On March 24, 1998 he was featured on
the national TV program W5 documentary,
"Condominiums That Leak".
On June 29, 1998 in Vancouver condo
consumers were asking for help in the battle
against leaky condos - they wanted a tool that
would arm them with information that would show
them how to avoid buying a leaky condo. In
response to the demand, Mr. Witzke worked with
local realtors, Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, the Real Estate Institute of BC and
various building specialists in the production of
two self help videos, A Condo
Buyer's Guide and
What To Do When Your Condo Springs A Leak
to help- answer common questions condo buyers
have when purchasing new or resale condominiums,
and how to visually evaluate a prospective condo,
with a focus on how to spot buildings with water
problems. The video tour teaches viewers what
construction features to look for, details like
flashings, windows, roof overhangs and
rain-screen barriers. Both videos include a
handy, pocket sized checklist viewers can take
with them to remember the main points in the
videos while shopping for a new home.
On January 7, 2000 Ed R.R. Witzke's
biography was published in Canadian Who's Who. A
Canadian biographical and authoritative book on
outstanding accomplishments of prominent, a
notable and distinguished individual from all
walks of life.
On June 26, 2000 he was certified with
Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of
British Columbia given the title Applied Science
Technologist - Building and the Initials A.Sc.T.,
and a member of the British Columbia Institute of
Property Inspectors (B.C.I.P.I.)
He has also written numerous articles
for newspapers and magazines on house,
condominium, recreational, commercial and
industrial inspections, energy conservation, home
renovations and consumer information related
issues that have been published throughout North
America. He is in constant- demand by authors and
book publishers who wish to have their home
improvements and buying and selling a home
manuscripts researched and reviewed.
He frequently appears as a guest, host
and columnist on numerous radio and television
talk shows as well as contributes regularly to
home shows and trade exhibitions and is often
quoted by the media, occasionally he stars
in-radio and television commercials.
Mr. Witzke is an acclaimed guest
speaker and lecturer and has addressed several
conferences in the building, renovation and
inspection industry. He is recognized for this
colourful public speaking and lecture style and
has made many an event memorable and
controversial.
He has extensive experience conducting
courses and seminars at educationa1 institutions
and conferences related to the construction
industry. In 1993, he was instrumental in
starting and successfully developing the House
Inspection I Program at BCIT for Certified
Property Inspectors, along with the Western
Association of Property Inspectors. In 1995, he
was awarded Honorary Membership in the Western
Association of Property Inspectors. He is a
member of many professional building trade
associations and has been a network volunteer for
Canadian Standards Association International for
a number of years.
This extensive knowledge of the
construction industry and his education,
research, skills, experiences (both successes and
mistakes) and interest in building science and
new construction technology have attracted a wide
audience. Newspapers, magazines and media have
described him as "British Columbia's Premier
Independent Building Inspector" to "Hot
Property-Ed Witzke's soft spot for finding weak
spots makes him the most popular (with clients)
building inspector in town" to
"Vancouver's Guru House Inspector" to
"Doctor Death" (amongst Realtors) to
"Inspector Chateau", "A Vancouver
Legend" to "Celebrity Veteran House
Inspector” “BC's Inspection
Wizard” “The Most Famous Home Inspector
West of the Rockies” "BC's Seasoned
Independent Building Inspector".
Ed Witzke resides in Vancouver, British
Columbia, with his family. He has professionally
inspected thousands of houses and commercial
buildings and consulted many homeowners with
their renovations in North America and Europe.
Witzke says he likes to help homebuyers make the
right decision concerning the biggest investment
of their lives. "A house isn't something you
can return if you don't like it. I want to help
(buyers) make the right decision by providing
information that lets them know what they're
buying or renovating." His extensive
background as a Building Consultant and Consumer
Information Specialist has made him a recognized
authority in his field.
In the 1960's, Witco Building
Inspection Services Ltd. was founded in the
Okanagan, of which Ed is the President today.
"People always respected and trusted my
father and mother's honesty and integrity in the
construction industry and they always wanted to
take them along when either house purchasing or
renovating and I would tag along as well,
listening carefully what they would say. I tagged
along enough that one day my parents sent me on
my own to help prospective purchasers find a good
house. Before you know it, I was only l6 years
old and handing out professional advice to
prospective purchasers and renovators. This
career has followed me around wherever I've been
- you have to love what you are doing."
Today Witco Building Inspection
Services Ltd. is based in Vancouver, BC and
specializes in a full range of services to the
construction industry, educational institutions,
conferences, government and the public. For
example, courses in "How to Find a Good
House, " "How to Select and Renovate a
House for Profit, " "How to Select and
Purchase a Good Condominium, " "How to
Inspect Commercial and Industrial Buildings,
" "How to Inspect Rural Recreational
Property" and "Inspecting Heritage
Dwellings" and seminars on the secrets of
property inspections, inspecting impaired and
foreclosed properties and water damage to
buildings have been offered for many years. The
company also provides research to various radio
and television shows. As well, the company
specializes in pre-purchase inspections within
the framework of a real estate transaction;
pre-delivery inspections on newly constructed
dwellings; pre-renovation inspections and project
planning consultation with home owners;
deficiency inspections; problem-solving and
trouble shooting, consulting, health and safety
inspections, along with the production of
self-help videos, cassettes and CD's.
@ Copyright Ed. R. R. Witzke
Website design F&G
Productions
|
