Compliance

InterNACHI Standards of Practice

Residential Home Inspection Guidelines

Finalspect Inc. performs all residential home inspections in strict accordance with the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) Standards of Practice.

A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify observed material defects within specific systems and components.

1. Roof

I. The inspector shall inspect from ground level or the eaves:

  • The roof-covering materials;
  • The gutters and downspouts;
  • The vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations;
  • The general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors, or stairs.

The inspector is not required to walk on any roof surface.

2. Exterior

I. The inspector shall inspect:

  • The exterior wall-covering materials, flashing, and trim;
  • All exterior doors;
  • Adjacent walkways and driveways;
  • Stairs, steps, stoops, stairways, and ramps;
  • Porches, patios, decks, balconies, and carports;
  • Railings, guards, and handrails.

3. Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace & Structure

I. The inspector shall inspect:

  • The foundation, basement, and crawlspace;
  • The structural components;
  • Observe indications of active water penetration.

The inspector is not required to enter any crawlspace that is not readily accessible or where entry could cause damage or pose a hazard.

4. Heating & Cooling

I. The inspector shall inspect:

  • The heating system, using normal operating controls;
  • The cooling system, using normal operating controls.

The inspector is not required to determine the uniformity, temperature, flow, balance, distribution, size, capacity, BTU, or supply adequacy of the heating/cooling system.

5. Plumbing & Electrical

I. The inspector shall inspect:

  • The main water supply shut-off valve;
  • The main fuel supply shut-off valve;
  • The water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing;
  • The service drop, overhead service conductors, and service head;
  • The main service disconnect;
  • Panelboards and over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses).