NAHI Standards of Practice

  1. Purpose, Scope & General Statements

1.1    The Standards of Practice (Standards) provide the minimum standards of performance for a written report on a residential home inspection performed by a member of the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI).
 
1.2 The Standards define and clarify the purpose, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and certain terms relating to an inspection.
 
1.3 The Standards identify those items, components, and systems included in the scope of an inspection.
 
1.4 The Standards apply only to the inspection of buildings with one (1) to four (4) dwelling units.
 
1.5 The Standards apply to a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of the included items, components, and systems to determine if, at the time of the inspection, they are performing their intended function without regard to life expectancy.
 
1.6 The purpose of the inspection is to identify visible defects and/or conditions that, in the judgement of the Inspector, adversely affect the function and/or integrity of the items, components, and systems.
 
1.7 Inspections performed under the Standards are basically visual and rely upon the opinion, judgement, and experience of the Inspector, and are not intended to be technically exhaustive.
 
1.8 Inspections shall be performed in a time period sufficient to allow compliance with the provisions of the Standards.
 
1.9 Inspections performed under the Standards shall not be construed as a compliance inspection of any code, governmental regulation, or manufacturer's installation instructions or procedures. In the event a law, statute, or ordinance prohibits a procedure recommended in the Standards, the Inspector is relieved of the obligation to adhere to the prohibited part of the Standards.
 
1.10 Inspections performed under the Standards are not an expressed or implied warranty or a guarantee of the adequacy, performance, or useful life of any item, component, or system in, on, or about the inspected property.
 
1.11 Detached building(s) and detached garage(s) located on the property will be inspected under these Standards only if specifically listed in the inspection report.
 
1.12 The National Association of Home Inspectors recommends that its members perform inspections in accordance with these Standards, the Code of Ethics, and applicable law(s). The Standards are not intended to limit members from performing "additional inspection services."
 
1.13 The inspector shall report on any system and component included in these standards of practice which were present at the time of the home inspection but were not inspected and provide the reason they were not inspected.

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Updated: 17-Sep-2004 copyright NAHI™ - reprinted by permission