STANDARD OF PRACTICE FOR HOME INSPECTIONS & THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE HOME INSPECTION PROFESSIONAL

 Home Inspections

Home inspections were being performed in the mid-1950s and by the early 1970s were considered by many consumers to be essential to the real estate transaction. The escalating demand was due to a growing desire by consumers to learn about the condition of a house prior to purchase. Meeting the expectations of consumers required a unique discipline, distinct from construction, engineering, architecture, or municipal building inspection. As such, home inspection requires its own set of professional guidelines and qualifications. The Standard of Practice for Home Inspections and Code of Ethics is to help buyers and sellers make real estate transaction decisions based on accurate information.

Code of Ethics for the Home Inspection Professional 

Code of Ethics stresses the home inspector’s responsibility to report the results of the inspection in a fair, impartial, and professional manner, avoiding conflicts of interest. I have passed written examinations testing my knowledge of residential construction, defect recognition, inspection techniques, and report-writing.

Standards of Practice

This Subpart defines the practice of home inspection in the State of Illinois and:  

      1) Provides home inspection guidelines; and

      2) Defines certain terms relating to home inspections.

A) The purpose of this Subpart is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for

licensed home inspectors to provide the client with information regarding the

condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the

home inspection. The home inspectors shall observe readily visible and accessible

installed systems and components listed as part of a home inspection, unless the

system or component is limited and/or excluded under the signed written agreement

with the client.

B) home inspectors or home inspector entities shall enter into a written agreement with the client or duly authorized representative prior to the home inspection that includes at a minimum:

      1) The purpose of the inspection;

      2) The date of the inspection;

      3) The name, address and license numbers of the home inspector and home inspector entity;

      4) The fee for services performed;

      5) A statement that the inspection will be performed in accordance with these Standards;

      6) A list of the systems and components to be inspected;

      7) Limitations or exclusions of systems or components being inspected; and

      8) The signature of the client or his or her duly authorized representative, and the signature of the home

           inspector or the duly authorized representative of a home inspector entity.

C) At the conclusion of the home inspection, a home inspector shall submit a written report, which can be in electronic format (including electronic signature), to the client or duly authorized representative within 2 business days (Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays) that includes the home inspector's signature and license number and license expiration date and shall:

      1) Describe the systems and components that were inspected;

      2) Report on those systems and components inspected that, in the opinion of the inspector, are

          significantly deficient including:

            A) A reason why, if not self-evident, the system or component is significantly deficient.

            B) Whether the reported deficiency should be corrected or monitored.

D) Disclosure of any systems or components designated for inspection that were present at the time of the home inspection but were not inspected with a reason why they were not inspected.

E) These Standards are not intended to limit home inspectors from:

      1) Including other inspection services, systems or components in addition to those defined in

          these Standards;

      2) Specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately qualified and willing to do so; and

      3)  Excluding systems and components from the inspection if the exclusion is specified in the

           written agreement.

F) When, pursuant to written agreement with a client, the structural system/ foundation is inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) Inspect the structural components, including the foundation and framing;

      2) Describe the foundation and report the methods used to inspect the under-floor crawl space or

          basement area, floor, wall, ceiling, roof and structures and report the methods used to inspect the

          attic; and

      3) Report visible signs of water and moisture penetration into the building or signs of condensation on

          building components.

G) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the exterior is inspected, the

home inspector shall:

      1) Inspect the exterior wall covering; flashing and trim; all exterior doors; attached decks, balconies,

          stoops, steps, porches and their associated railings; the eaves, soffits and fascia if accessible from the

          ground level; the vegetation, grading, surface drainage and retaining walls on the property when any

         of these are likely to adversely affect the building; walkways;  patios; and driveways leading to dwelling

         entrances; and

      2) Describe the exterior wall covering.

H) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the roof system is inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) Inspect the roof covering, roof drainage systems, flashings, skylights, chimneys, and roof

          penetrations; and

      2) Describe the roof covering and report the methods used to inspect the roof.

I) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the plumbing system is observed, the home inspector shall describe in detail the interior water supply and distribution systems, including fixtures and faucets, drains, waste and vent systems; water heating equipment and vent systems; flues and chimneys; fuel storage and fuel distribution systems; drainage sumps, sump pumps and related piping; and location of main water and main fuel shut-off valves.

J) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the electrical system is inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) Inspect the service drop; service entrance conductors, cables and raceways; service equipment and

          main disconnects; service grounding; interior components of service panels and subpanels; conductors;

         overcurrent protection devices; a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches and

         receptacles; and ground fault circuit interrupters;

      2) Describe the amperage and voltage rating of the service, the location of main disconnects and

          subpanels and the wiring methods; and

      3) Report on the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring and on the absence of 

          carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

K) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the heating system is inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) Inspect the permanently installed heating equipment, including fans, pumps, ducts and piping; their

          supports, registers, radiators and convectors; and visible vent systems, flues and chimneys; and

      2) Describe the energy source and the heating method by their distinguishing characteristics.

L) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the cooling system is inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) inspect the permanently installed central and through-wall cooling equipment; and

      2) describe the energy source and the cooling method by their distinguishing characteristics.

M) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the interior is inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) Inspect the walls, ceilings and floors; steps, stairways, balconies and their railings; countertops,

          installed cabinets, doors and windows; and garage doors and garage door operators; and

      2) Report visible signs of water and moisture penetration into the building or signs of condensation on

          building components.

N) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the insulation and ventilation are inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) inspect the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces, the ventilation of attics and 

          foundation areas, and the mechanical ventilation systems in attics, kitchens, bathrooms and 

          laundry; and

      2) describe the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces and the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned surfaces.

O) When, pursuant to the written agreement with a client, the fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances are inspected, the home inspector shall:

      1) Inspect the system components, vent systems, flues and chimneys; and

      2) Describe the fireplaces, solid fuel burning appliances, and chimneys.

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