Standards of Practice

  • Inspect
    • Structural components, including foundation and framing
    • Structural components in which deterioration is suspected, or where clear indications of possible deterioration exists; probing not required if would damage any finished surface
    • Crawl space and attic areas to the extent possible as determined by the inspector to be readily accessible and safe
    • High vulnerability locations normally covered by insulation or humidity control measures, e.g. crawl space toilet and plumbing penetrations, under exterior doors, deck ledger areas
  • Describe
    • Foundation
    • Floor, wall, ceiling, and roof structures
    • Methods used to inspect under-floor crawl spaces and attics, e.g. “Entered,” “Viewed from access,” “No access”
    • Conditions which limit visibility or accessibility of property’s features or condition (snow/leaf cover, ongoing construction, dangerous animals, suspected hazardous materials, etc.)
    • All buildings or structures present
      • Which buildings or structures are inspected or not inspected
      • Age of inspected buildings (if known)
      • Type (description) of each inspected building
      • Method(s) used to describe the location of features or defects
  • Not required
    • Engineering, architectural services, or analysis
    • Opinion as to adequacy of any structural system or component
    • Inspection of any location if it would damage installed insulation or humidity control system