Home Inspections- ASHI Home Inspectors

ASHI STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

1. INTRODUCTION

The American Society of Home Inspectors®, Inc. (ASHI®)
is a not-for-profit professional society established in 1976.
Membership in ASHI is voluntary and its members are
private home inspectors. ASHI’s objectives include promotion
of excellence within the profession and continual improvement
of its members’ inspection services to the public.

2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

2.1 The purpose of the Standards of Practice is to
establish a minimum and uniform standard for
home inspectors who subscribe to these Standards
of Practice. Home inspections performed to these
Standards of Practice are intended to provide the
client with objective information regarding the condition
of the systems and components of the home
as inspected at the time of the home inspection.
Redundancy in the description of the requirements,
limitations, and exclusions regarding the scope of
the home inspection is provided for emphasis only.

2.2 Inspectors shall:
A. adhere to the Code of Ethics of the American
Society of Home Inspectors.
B. inspect readily accessible, visually observable,
installed systems and components listed in these
Standards of Practice.
C. report:
1. those systems and components inspected
that, in the professional judgment of the
inspector, are not functioning properly,
significantly deficient, unsafe, or are near
the end of their service lives.
2. recommendations to correct, or monitor for
future correction, the deficiencies reported
in 2.2.C.1, or items needing further
evaluation. (Per Exclusion 13.2.A.5
inspectors are NOT required to determine
methods, materials, or costs of corrections.)
3. reasoning or explanation as to the nature of
the deficiencies reported in 2.2.C.1, that are
not self-evident.
4. systems and components designated for
inspection in these Standards of Practice
that were present at the time of the home
inspection but were not inspected and the
reason(s) they were not inspected.

2.3 These Standards of Practice are not intended to limit
inspectors from:
A. including other inspection services or systems
and components in addition to those required in
Section 2.2.B.
B. designing or specifying repairs, provided the
inspector is appropriately qualified and willing to
do so.
C. excluding systems and components from the
inspection if requested by the client.

3. STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

3.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. structural components including the
foundation and framing.
2. by probing a representative number of
structural components where deterioration is
suspected or where clear indications of
possible deterioration exist. Probing is NOT
required when probing would damage any
finished surface or where no deterioration is
visible or presumed to exist.
1. the methods used to inspect under-floor
crawl spaces and attics.
2. the foundation.
3. the floor structure.
4. the wall structure.
5. the ceiling structure.
6. the roof structure.

3.2 The home inspector is NOT required to:
A. provide any engineering or architectural services
or analysis.
B. offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any
structural system or component.

4. EXTERIOR

4.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. siding, flashing and trim.
2. all exterior doors.
3. attached or adjacent decks, balconies,
stoops, steps, porches, and their associated
railings.
4. eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible
from the ground level.
5. vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and
retaining walls that are likely to adversely
affect the building.
6. adjacent or entryway walkways, patios, and
driveways.
B. describe:
1. siding.

4.2 The inspector is NOT required to inspect:
A. screening, shutters, awnings, and similar
seasonal accessories.
B. fences.
C. geological and/or soil conditions.
D. recreational facilities.
E. outbuildings other than garages and carports.
F. seawalls, break-walls, and docks.
G. erosion control and earth stabilization measures.

5. ROOFING

5.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. roofing materials.
2. roof drainage systems.
3. flashing.
4. skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations.
B. describe:
1. roofing materials.
2. methods used to inspect the roofing.5.2 The inspector is NOT required to inspect:
A. antennae.
B. interiors of flues or chimneys that are not
readily accessible.
C. other installed accessories.

6. PLUMBING

6.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. interior water supply and distribution
systems including all fixtures and faucets.
2. drain, waste, and vent systems including all
fixtures.
3. water heating equipment and hot water
supply system.
4. vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
5. fuel storage and fuel distribution systems.
6. drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related
piping.
B. describe:
1. water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping
materials.
2. water heating equipment including energy
source(s).
3. location of main water and fuel shut-off
valves.

6.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. clothes washing machine connections.
2. interiors of flues or chimneys that are not
readily accessible.
3. wells, well pumps, or water storage related
equipment.
4. water conditioning systems.
5. solar water heating systems.
6. fire and lawn sprinkler systems.
7. private waste disposal systems.
B. determine:
1. whether water supply and waste disposal
systems are public or private.
2. water supply quantity or quality.
C. operate automatic safety controls or manual
stop valves.

7. ELECTRICAL

7.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. service drop.
2. service entrance conductors, cables, and
raceways.
3. service equipment and main disconnects.
4. service grounding.
5. interior components of service panels and
sub panels.
6. conductors.
7. overcurrent protection devices.
8. a representative number of installed lighting
fixtures, switches, and receptacles.
9. ground fault circuit interrupters.
B. describe:
1. amperage and voltage rating of the service.
2. location of main disconnect(s) and sub
panels.
3. presence of solid conductor aluminum
branch circuit wiring.
4. presence or absence of smoke detectors.
5. wiring methods.

7.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. remote control devices.
2. alarm systems and components.
3. low voltage wiring systems and components.
4. ancillary wiring systems and components.
not a part of the primary electrical power
distribution system.
B. measure amperage, voltage, or impedance.

8. HEATING

8.1 The inspector shall:
A. open readily openable access panels.
B. inspect:
1. installed heating equipment.
2. vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
C. describe:
1. energy source(s).
2. heating systems.

8.2 The home inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. interiors of flues or chimneys that are not
readily accessible.
2. heat exchangers.
3. humidifiers or dehumidifiers.
4. electronic air filters.
5. solar space heating systems.
B. determine heat supply adequacy or
distribution balance.

9. AIR CONDITIONING

9.1 The inspector shall:
A. open readily openable access panels.
B. inspect:
1. central and through-wall equipment.
2. distribution systems.
C. describe:
1. energy source(s).
2. cooling systems.

9.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect electronic air filters.
B. determine cooling supply adequacy or
distribution balance.
C. inspect window air conditioning units.

10. INTERIORS

10.1 The inspector shall inspect:
A. walls, ceilings, and floors.
B. steps, stairways, and railings.
C. countertops and a representative number of
installed cabinets.
D. a representative number of doors and windows.
E. garage doors and garage door operators.10.2 The inspector is NOT required to inspect:
A. paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments.
B. carpeting.
C. window treatments.
D. central vacuum systems.
E. household appliances.
F. recreational facilities.

11. INSULATION & VENTILATION

A. The Inspector shall inspect:
1. insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished
spaces.
2. ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
3. mechanical ventilation systems.
B. describe:
1. insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished
spaces.
2. absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at
conditioned surfaces.11.2 The inspector is NOT required to disturb insulation.
See 13.2.A.11 and 13.2.A.12.

12. FIREPLACES AND SOLID FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES

12.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. system components.
2. chimney and vents.
B. describe:
1. fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.
2. chimneys.12.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. interiors of flues or chimneys.
2. firescreens and doors.
3. seals and gaskets.
4. automatic fuel feed devices.
5. mantles and fireplace surrounds.
6. combustion make-up air devices.
7. heat distribution assists (gravity fed and fan
assisted).
B. ignite or extinguish fires.
C. determine draft characteristics.
D. move fireplace inserts and stoves or firebox
contents.

13. GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

13.1 General limitations:

A. The inspector is NOT required to perform any
action or make any determination not specifically
stated in these Standards of Practice.
B. Inspections performed in accordance with these
Standards of Practice:
1. are not technically exhaustive.
2. are not required to identify concealed.
conditions, latent defects, or consequential
damage(s).
C. These Standards of Practice are applicable to
buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and
their garages or carports.

13.2 General exclusions:

A. Home Inspectors are NOT required to determine:
1. conditions of systems or components that
are not readily accessible.
2. remaining life expectancy of any system or
component.
3. strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or
efficiency of any system or component.
4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.
5. methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
6. future conditions including but not limited to
failure of systems and components.
7. the suitability of the property for any
specialized use.
8. compliance with regulatory requirements
(codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
9. market value of the property or its
marketability.
10. the advisability of purchase of the property.
11. the presence of potentially hazardous plants
or animals including, but not limited to,
wood destroying organisms or diseases
harmful to humans including molds or
mold-like substances.
12. the presence of any environmental hazards
including, but not limited to, toxins,
carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in
soil, water, and air.
13. the effectiveness of any system installed
or method utilized to control or remove
suspected hazardous substances.
14. operating costs of systems or components.
15. acoustical properties of any system or
component.
16. soil conditions relating to geotechnical or
hydrologic specialties.

B. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:
1. or perform any act or service contrary to law.
2. or perform engineering services.
3. or perform any trade or any professional.
service other than home inspection.
4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.
C. Inspectors are NOT required to operate:
1. any system or component that is shut down
or otherwise inoperable.
2. any system or component that does not
respond to normal operating controls.
3. shut-off valves or manual stop valves.
D. Home Inspectors are NOT required to enter:
1. any area that will, in the opinion of the
inspector, likely be dangerous to the
inspector or other persons or damage the
property or its systems or components.
2. under-floor crawl spaces or attics that are
not readily accessible.
E. Home Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:
1. underground items including but not
limited to underground storage tanks or
other underground indications of their
presence, whether abandoned or active.
2. items that are not installed.
3. installed decorative items.
4. items in areas that are not entered in
accordance with 13.2.D.
5. detached structures other than garages
and carports.
6. common elements or common areas in
multi-unit housing, such as condominium
properties or cooperative housing.
F. Home Inspectors are NOT required to:
1. perform any procedure or operation that will,
in the opinion of the inspector, likely be
dangerous to the inspector or other persons
or damage the property or its systems or
components.
2. describe or report on any system or
component that is not included in these
Standards and was not inspected.
3. move personal property, furniture, equipment,
plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
4. dismantle any system or component, except
as explicitly required by these Standards of
Practice.

ASHI home inspectors are concidered some of the best in the field and as we are Tampa home inspectors, St Petersburg Home Inspectors and Clearwater home inspectors we will follow all of the ASHI home inspector guidelines.

ASHI® CODE OF ETHICS
For the Home Inspection Profession

Integrity, honesty, and objectivity are fundamental principles embodied by this Code, which sets forth
obligations of ethical conduct for the home inspection profession. The Membership of ASHI has
adopted this Code to provide high ethical standards to safeguard the public and the profession.
Home Inspectors shall comply with this Code, shall avoid association with any enterprise whose practices
violate this Code, and shall strive to uphold, maintain, and improve the integrity, reputation, and
practice of the home inspection profession.
Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise, or appear to compromise, professional
independence, objectivity, or inspection integrity.
A. Inspectors shall not inspect properties for compensation in which they have, or expect to have,
a financial interest.
B. Inspectors shall not inspect properties under contingent arrangements whereby any compensation
or future referrals are dependent on reported findings or on the sale of a property.
C. Home Inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other parties having
a financial interest in closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of
inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers, or
similar arrangements.
D. Inspectors shall not receive compensation for an inspection from more than one party unless
agreed to by the client(s).
E. Inspectors shall not accept compensation, directly or indirectly, for recommending contractors,
services, or products to inspection clients or other parties having an interest in inspected
properties.
F. Inspectors shall not repair, replace, or upgrade, for compensation, systems or components
covered by ASHI Standards of Practice, for one year after the inspection.
2. Inspectors shall act in good faith toward each client and other interested parties.
A. Inspectors shall perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only
within their areas of education, training, or experience.
B. Inspectors shall be objective in their reporting and not knowingly understate or overstate the
significance of reported conditions.
C. Inspectors shall not disclose inspection results or client information without client approval.
Inspectors, at their discretion, may disclose observed immediate safety hazards to occupants
exposed to such hazards, when feasible.
3. Inspectors shall avoid activities that may harm the public, discredit themselves, or reduce public confidence
in the profession.
A. Advertising, marketing, and promotion of inspectors’ services or qualifications shall not be
fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading.
B. Inspectors shall report substantive and willful violations of this Code to the Society.

ASHI home inspectors are concidered some of the best in the field and as we are Tampa home inspectors, St Petersburg Home Inspectors and Clearwater home inspectors we will follow all of the ASHI home inspector code of ethics.
 

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