National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) Professional Responsibilities Summary

A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive examination of the readily accessible systems and components of a house, reporting their condition on the day of the inspection. It is not a code inspection, warranty, or destructive test.

Wrong choices

• A full check for building code compliance: Home inspections are not code inspections.
• A guarantee or warranty on the house: An inspection is not a warranty.
• A destructive test that opens walls: Inspections are non-invasive.

The inspector works for the client named in the agreement. The report is prepared for that client and should not be shared with others without the client's permission, except where law requires.

Wrong choices

• The real estate agent: Agents may see it with permission, but the client is the person served.
• The seller: Unless the seller hired the inspector, the seller is not the client.
• The city building department: Home inspections are private, not for the city.

A written pre-inspection agreement explains what the inspection will and will not cover, its limits, the fee, and other terms. Signing it before the inspection helps the client understand what they are getting and helps prevent disputes.

Wrong choices

• Give the seller a copy of the report automatically: Report sharing depends on the client's permission.
• Guarantee that any defects will be repaired: Inspections do not guarantee repairs.
• Set the sale price of the house: Price is not part of an inspection agreement.

If inspectors could profit from repairs, they might be tempted to find or exaggerate problems. Codes of ethics commonly prohibit inspectors (or their companies) from performing repairs on homes they inspected, at least for a period of time.

Wrong choices

• Recommending a qualified specialist: Referrals are a normal part of inspections.
• Giving the client a written report: This is required.
• Charging a fee agreed in advance: This is normal.

Standards of practice generally state that inspectors are not required to determine compliance with codes or regulations. Inspectors may use code values as guidance for safety, but a home inspection is not a code inspection.

Wrong choices

• Report observed defects: This is a core requirement.
• Describe the roof covering: This is a typical requirement.
• Operate the heating system with normal controls: This is a typical requirement.

Codes of ethics commonly require inspectors to keep inspection results confidential and share them only with the client's permission, unless the law requires otherwise or there is a serious safety threat.

Wrong choices

• Give it to any agent who asks: Agents need the client's permission.
• Post it online: This violates client confidentiality.
• Send it to the neighbors: This violates client confidentiality.

Inspections are limited to what is readily accessible. Standards generally do not require inspectors to move furniture, rugs, stored items, or belongings. Areas hidden by belongings should be noted as limitations.

Wrong choices

• Report a missing GFCI where it is expected: This is part of a normal inspection.
• Enter an accessible attic when it is safe: Standards typically call for inspecting accessible attics.
• Inspect a readily accessible electrical panel: This is a typical requirement.

Inspectors are not required to do anything that puts them at risk. They should stay clear of the hazard, warn people present if needed, and report it clearly as a safety concern with a recommendation for a qualified professional.

Wrong choices

• Repair it on the spot: Repairs are outside the inspector's role and could be unsafe.
• Touch it to see whether it is live: This is dangerous.
• Ignore it to keep the inspection on schedule: Safety hazards must be reported.

Codes of ethics commonly forbid inspectors from paying or receiving fees for referrals without disclosure. Such payments can pressure an inspector to soften findings to please the agent, which hurts the client.

Wrong choices

• A normal, accepted business practice: Undisclosed referral payments can bias the inspector.
• Required by standards of practice: No standard requires paying for referrals.
• Only a tax matter: It is mainly an ethics issue.

Standards of practice typically exclude environmental testing, such as radon, mold, asbestos, and lead. Some inspectors offer these as extra services under a separate agreement, often requiring special training or licensing.

Wrong choices

• Always required in every inspection: These tests are not part of standard inspections.
• Part of the electrical inspection: They have nothing to do with the electrical system.
• Done by the appraiser: Appraisers estimate value; they do not test for these.