Standards of Practice

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the Standards of Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for US Inspect employees performing Home Inspections. Home Inspections performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with objective information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the home inspection. Any state mandated inspection and/or reporting requirements in the market where the inspector is working will always take priority over the SOP documented here in case of a conflict. Redundancy in the description of the requirements, limitations, and exclusions regarding the scope of the Home Inspection is provided for emphasis only.

  • Inspectors shall:
    • Adhere to the widely accepted industry standard Code of Ethics for home inspectors in the performance of their duties.
    • Ensure that they are fully familiar with the state-specific inspection and reporting standards that govern their market.
    • Inspect the readily accessible, visually observable, installed systems and components listed in the Standards of Practice.
    • Provide clear photographs of all systems, components, defects, and limitations as set forth in the US Inspect Field Procedures for Home Inspections.
  • Report:
    • Those system and components inspected that, in the professional judgment of the inspector, are not functioning properly, significantly deficient, unsafe, or are near the end of their service lives.
    • Recommendations to correct, or monitor for future correction, the reported deficiencies, or items needing further evaluation. (Inspectors are NOT required to determine methods, materials, or costs of corrections.)
    • Reasoning or explanation as to the nature and implications of the reported deficiencies that are not self-evident.
    • Systems and components designated for inspection in these Standards of Practice that were present at the time of the home inspection but were not inspected and the reason(s) they were not inspected.
    • The industry-accepted useful lifespan range for systems or materials.
  • Standards of Practice aren’t intended to limit inspectors from:
    • Including other inspection services or systems and components in addition to those required above.
    • Designing or specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately qualified and willing to do so.
    • Excluding systems and components from the inspection if requested by the client.

General Limitations and Exclusions

  • General Limitations:
    • The inspector is NOT required to perform any action or make any determination(s) not specifically stated in these Standards of Practice.
    • Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice:
      • Are not technically exhaustive.
      • Are not required to identify concealed conditions, latent defects, or consequential damage(s).
      • These Standards of Practice apply to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units, their garages or carports, and those outbuildings included in the job order.
  • General Exclusions:
    •  Inspectors are NOT required to:
      • Offer or perform any act or service contrary to law.
      • Offer or perform engineering services.
      • Offer or perform any trade or any professional service other than a Home Inspection.
      • Perform any procedure or operation that will, in the judgment of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons, or damage the property or its systems or components.
      • Describe or report on any system or component that is not included in these Standards that was not inspected.
      • Move personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
      • Dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by these Standards of Practice.
    • The inspector is NOT required to determine:
      • Conditions of systems or components that are not readily accessible.
      • Strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component.
      • The causes of any condition or deficiency.
      • Methods, materials, or costs of corrections, except for costs-to-cure in markets that require them.
      • Future conditions including, but not limited to, the failure of systems and components.
      • The suitability of the property for any specialized use.
      • Compliance with regulatory requirements
      • The market value of the property or its marketability.
      • The advisability of purchase of the property.
      • The presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to, toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in the soil, water, and air.
      • The effectiveness of any system installed or any method utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
      • The operating costs of systems or components.
      • The acoustical properties of any system or component.
    • Inspectors are NOT required to operate:
      • Any system or component that is shut down or otherwise inoperable.
      • Any system or component that does not respond to normal operating controls.
      • Shut-off valves or manual stop valves.
    • Inspectors are NOT required to enter:
      • Any area that will, in the judgment of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons, or damage the property or its systems or components.
      • Under-floor crawl spaces or attics that are not readily accessible.
    • Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:
      • Underground items including, but not limited to, underground storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether they are abandoned or active.
      • Items that are not installed.
      • Installed decorative items.
      • Items in areas that are not entered as per the above.
      • Common elements or common areas in multi-unit housing, such as condominium properties, townhouse associations, or cooperative housing.

Technical Bulletins

Technical Bulletins are focused training references. They are included with the appropriate category/component of Inspecto-Libro.

Table of Contents

Click on a link below for the Technical Bulletin

Level I, II, and III Inspections: Exterior – Chimney

Atlas Chalet Shingles: Roof – Roof Covering

TJI “Flak Jacket” Truss Joists: Structure – Floor

Workmanlike Joist Repairs: Structure – Floor

Infrared and Cold Weather: Interior – Wall

Infrared and Cold Weather: Interior – Ceilings

Level I, II, and III Inspections: Interior – Fireplace

Level I, II, and III Inspections: Interior – Fuel Burning Appliances

Testing Electrical Receptacles: Electrical – Receptacles

General Information Limitation and Information Statements

Limitation Statements

Storage/personal items restrict access to interior: Storage/personal items restrict access to various interior components; therefore, the inspection of such components is limited.

Storage/personal items restrict access to exterior: Storage/personal items restrict access to various exterior components; therefore, the inspection of such components is limited.

Vegetation/leaves limit inspections of exterior components: Vegetation/leaves limit inspections of various exterior components; therefore, the inspection of such components is limited.

Snow/ice limit inspections of exterior components: Snow/ice limit inspections of various exterior components; therefore, the inspection of such components is limited.

Electricity is off, prevents operations which require electricity; visually inspected only: The electrical service is off, which prevents operation of all components which require electricity; such components are visually inspected only.

Fuel is off, prevents operations which require fuel; visually inspected only: The fuel service is off, which prevents operation of all components which require fuel; such components are visually inspected only.

Water is off, prevents operations which require water; visually inspected only: The water service is off, which prevents operation of all components which require water; such components are visually inspected only.

Cooling system(s) is winterized, prevents operation, visually inspected only: The cooling system(s) is winterized, which prevents operation of all cooling system components; such components are visually inspected only.

Plumbing system is winterized, prevents operation, visually inspected only: The plumbing system is winterized, which prevents operation of all components which require water; such components are visually inspected only.

Lawn sprinkler present, beyond scope, not inspected: There is a lawn sprinkler present on the property, which is beyond the scope of a home inspection. The lawn sprinkler is not inspected.

Swimming pool present, beyond scope, not inspected; pool inspection recommended: There is a swimming pool present on the property, which is beyond the scope of a home inspection. The swimming pool is not inspected. Any remarks are provided as a courtesy. A full inspection is recommended.

Property maintained by HOA or a property management firm, limited to visual evaluation of systems and components within the unit: This property is maintained by a Homeowners Association (HOA) or a property management firm. This inspection is limited to the visual evaluation of the systems and components that are located within the unit, i.e., current conditions of common areas are not part of this inspection. Any remarks about common areas are included as a courtesy and should be referred to the HOA or property management firm.

Property vacant for extended period of time: The property has been vacant for an extended period of time and the plumbing system has not been used regularly. Extended periods without regular use can cause some plumbing components to fail, e.g., seals and washers may dry out, valves may seize and older sections of cast iron soil lines may corrode and crack. Operating condition of the main drain from the house cannot be fully assessed without regular use.

Additions/renovations apparent, check municipal records for permits, ask homeowner for more info: Additions or renovations are apparent. A home inspection does not include any research on the property’s permitting history, or on product warranties and documentation. You should check the municipal records for this property to confirm that any necessary permits were obtained and that these permits were subsequently approved by municipal authorities after the work was completed. Ask the Homeowner for any product or system documentation.

Location recently affected by major storm, latent defects may exist, consider contacting local municipality: This house’s location was affected by a major storm. Latent defects may exist to the structure, electrical system, plumbing system, or other components that cannot be determined at the inspection. Consider contacting the local municipality to determine if the structure has been affected by the storm or subsequent flooding.

Information Statements

Inspector scanned interior with infrared camera; no significant defects detected: The inspector scanned the interior floors, walls, and ceilings of the home with an infrared camera. The infrared scan did not detect any significant defects at the time of the inspection. When systems are functional, and prior to conducting the scan, the HVAC system(s) are operated to increase the temperature differential between the interior and exterior of the home. This aids in the detection of reportable defects such as roof leaks, plumbing leaks, exterior water intrusion, etc.

New homes have imperfections and undergo changes over time; monitor structure, bring concerns to attention of builder before warranty expires: All new homes have imperfections and will undergo changes over time. Settlement, expansion, and contraction can manifest as cracks and gaps in doorways, windows, walls and ceilings and should be expected. During your first year of ownership you should monitor these areas and bring any concerns to the attention of the builder before the warranty expires. If you need impartial assistance in documenting problems you have experienced, or discovering problems you may not be aware of, schedule a second home inspection within the first year of occupancy.

Older home has unique characteristics, can’t be compared with new construction; may reflect history of construction evolution and modernization, also risks with older homes: As the prospective owner of an older home, one should understand and appreciate the unique characteristics of such ownership. An older home can’t be compared with new construction, i.e., the structure probably was constructed with materials and methods no longer used according to local code and industry guidelines which have changed over time. However, construction of an older home is not inferior to new construction; in fact, some aspects of older construction materials and methods are superior to current industry standards. It is not uncommon for an older house to have uneven roof lines and uneven floors due to the nature of the construction, long-term settlement, and age deficiencies. An older home also may reflect a history of construction evolution and modernization, e.g., mechanical systems, kitchen and bathrooms likely have been renovated even if the foundation and structure of the home have remained mostly original. There also are risks with older homes, including chimneys which represent potential fire hazards or materials used in construction which may have been discontinued, including lead paint, asbestos, and potential allergens such as horsehair binder in the plaster; this inspection does not include testing or laboratory analysis of such materials.

Trees around home require regular maintenance; falling branches can be a risk, trim or remove, or hire arborist: The trees around the home generally require regular maintenance to address their overall health and dead or dying branches. Falling branches can be a risk for serious injury and/or property damage. Trim or remove them as needed. If in doubt hire a qualified arborist for an evaluation.

Dwelling in poor condition, handyman special; report focuses on condition of major components, other dealt with generally: The dwelling is in poor condition and may be referred to as a “handyman special.” For this reason, this report will focus on the condition of the major components of the building, e.g., the structure, roof, and the major systems within the dwelling. Other less critical aspects, such as wall and ceiling surfaces, interior doors, windows, floor coverings, etc. will be dealt with in a more generalized manner.