ITAZ RQ: Standards and Reports

Question 1

Describe in one sentence what home inspection must provide for clients.

Answer 1

Inspections provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home inspected at the time of the home inspection.

Question 2

List four components of written reports.

Answer 2

• Things unsafe, inoperative or near the end of their service lives
• The implications of the deficiencies
• The recommendations
• What things were not inspected and why

Question 3

List two general limitations to home inspections.

Answer 3

• Inspections are visual and not technically exhaustive

- Inspections applicable to four family units or less and associated garages or car ports.

Question 4

List ten general exclusions to home inspections.

Answer 4

• Life expectancy
• Causes of conditions
• Methods, materials or costs of correction
• Suitability of property for specialized use
• Compliance with regulations
• Market value
• Advisability of purchase
• Components or systems not observed
• Presence of pests, including insects
• Cosmetic items, underground items or items not permanently installed

Question 5

List 13 things inspectors are not required to do as part of an inspection.

Answer 5

• Offer or perform any service contrary to law
• Offer warranties or guarantees
• Offer engineering, architectural, plumbing or any other job function
• Calculate the strength, adequacy or efficiency of a system
• Enter areas or do anything that may damage the property or be dangerous
• Operate systems that are shut down
• Operate systems that don’t respond to their normal controls
• Disturb insulation
• Move personal items, including furniture, equipment, plant life, snow, soil, ice or debris
• Determine the presence of hazardous substances
• Predict future conditions
• Provide operating costs
• Evaluate acoustical characteristics of components

Question 6

Define “technically exhaustive” within the scope of a home inspection.

Answer 6

Technically exhaustive includes dismantling , extensive use of measurements, instruments, testing or calculations.

Question 7

Define inspector within the context of the Standards of Practice.

Answer 7

A person hired to examine any system or component of a building, in accordance with these Standards of Practice

Question 8

Summarize in one sentence each of the three elements of the Code of Ethics.

Answer 8

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived
• Act in good faith toward your clients and other interested parties
• Avoid activities that may harm the public or discredit yourself or the profession

Question 9

List four reasons written reports are needed.

Answer 9

• The Standards require it
• To help the client
• To control your liability
• Marketing tool

Question 10

List two delivery options for providing the report.

Answer 10

• On site reports

- Reports sent after the inspection

Question 11

List three general types of report forms.

Answer 11

• Checklist
• Narrative
• Combination

Question 12

List ten common components of the body of the report.

Answer 12

• Scope/contract
• Descriptions
• Conditions or evaluations
• Causes of conditions
• Implications of conditions
• Recommended actions
• Limitations
• Life expectancy
• Priorities
• Ballpark costs

Question 13

Give a one sentence example of each of these components. Use different examples than those provided in the chapter.

Answer 13

• Scope - the inspection was done according to the ASHI Standards
• Descriptions - the roofing material is asphalt shingle
• Conditions or evaluations - the water heater is leaking
• Causes of conditions - the wet basement is a result of the leaking gutters and downspouts
• Implications - the uneven stairs are a trip hazard
• Recommended actions - the 30amp fuses should be replaced with 15 amp fuses
• Limitations - no access was gained to the crawlspace
• Life expectancy - replacement of the roof covering will probably be necessary within the next 3 to 6 years
• Priorities - the open electrical box should be provided with a cover immediately and the service should be upgraded to 200amps. within the next year
• Ball park - furnace replacement may cost $1,500-$2,500

Question 14

Which components are required by the Standards?

Answer 14

Descriptions, conditions and implications unless they are self evident

Question 15

What elements over and above the ten required components might be included in home inspection reports?

Answer 15

• Report summary
• Client questionnaire
• Maintenance tips
• Filing systems
• Life cycle and cost estimates