NHIE ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔When should an inspector recommend a specialist? - ✔✔When the issue is
significant, unsafe, complex, concealed, or beyond the inspector's scope.
✔✔What is the safest recommendation for major safety defects? - ✔✔Prompt
evaluation and correction by a qualified professional.
✔✔Should an inspector dismantle appliances or equipment? - ✔✔No. Dismantling is
outside the standard scope.
✔✔Should an inspector light pilot lights? - ✔✔Generally no. Lighting pilots can be
unsafe and is usually outside standard scope.
✔✔Should an inspector shut off water or gas valves? - ✔✔Generally no, unless
necessary for safety and within authority; forcing valves should be avoided.
✔✔Should an inspector walk a steep or wet roof? - ✔✔No. Unsafe roof access should
be avoided and reported as a limitation.
✔✔What should an inspector do when attic access is unsafe? - ✔✔Do not enter, report
the limitation, and recommend further evaluation if needed.
✔✔What should an inspector do when crawlspace access is unsafe? - ✔✔Do not enter,
report the limitation, and recommend further evaluation if needed.
✔✔What is professional communication? - ✔✔Clear, calm, accurate communication
with the client and involved parties.
✔✔Why is plain language important in reports? - ✔✔It helps clients understand defects,
risks, and next steps.
, ✔✔What is the NHIE mindset for professional responsibility questions? - ✔✔Stay
ethical, stay within scope, report limitations, avoid unsafe actions, and communicate
clearly.
✔✔ What is the main purpose of professional responsibilities in home inspection? -
✔✔To define ethical, legal, safety, and communication duties of the inspector.
✔✔What is a standard of practice? - ✔✔A set of minimum requirements describing what
an inspector must inspect, report, and exclude.
✔✔What is a code of ethics? - ✔✔Rules that guide professional conduct, honesty,
conflicts of interest, and client protection.
✔✔What is a pre-inspection agreement? - ✔✔A contract that defines the inspection
scope, limitations, fee, and responsibilities before the inspection.
✔✔Why is a pre-inspection agreement important? - ✔✔It sets expectations and helps
reduce misunderstandings and liability.
✔✔When should a pre-inspection agreement be signed? - ✔✔Before the inspection
begins.
✔✔What is inspection scope? - ✔✔The defined limits of what is included and excluded
in the inspection.
✔✔What does "visual inspection" mean? - ✔✔The inspector observes visible and
accessible components without destructive or invasive methods.
✔✔What does "non-invasive" mean? - ✔✔The inspector does not damage property,
dismantle systems, or open concealed areas.
✔✔What does "readily accessible" mean? - ✔✔Accessible without moving personal
property, causing damage, or using unsafe methods.
✔✔Is a home inspector required to inspect concealed areas? - ✔✔No. Concealed or
inaccessible areas are outside the standard inspection scope.
✔✔Is a home inspector required to move furniture? - ✔✔No. Moving furniture or
personal belongings is generally outside the standard scope.
✔✔Is a home inspector required to determine property boundaries? - ✔✔No. Boundary
determination is outside the scope and requires a survey.
✔✔When should an inspector recommend a specialist? - ✔✔When the issue is
significant, unsafe, complex, concealed, or beyond the inspector's scope.
✔✔What is the safest recommendation for major safety defects? - ✔✔Prompt
evaluation and correction by a qualified professional.
✔✔Should an inspector dismantle appliances or equipment? - ✔✔No. Dismantling is
outside the standard scope.
✔✔Should an inspector light pilot lights? - ✔✔Generally no. Lighting pilots can be
unsafe and is usually outside standard scope.
✔✔Should an inspector shut off water or gas valves? - ✔✔Generally no, unless
necessary for safety and within authority; forcing valves should be avoided.
✔✔Should an inspector walk a steep or wet roof? - ✔✔No. Unsafe roof access should
be avoided and reported as a limitation.
✔✔What should an inspector do when attic access is unsafe? - ✔✔Do not enter, report
the limitation, and recommend further evaluation if needed.
✔✔What should an inspector do when crawlspace access is unsafe? - ✔✔Do not enter,
report the limitation, and recommend further evaluation if needed.
✔✔What is professional communication? - ✔✔Clear, calm, accurate communication
with the client and involved parties.
✔✔Why is plain language important in reports? - ✔✔It helps clients understand defects,
risks, and next steps.
, ✔✔What is the NHIE mindset for professional responsibility questions? - ✔✔Stay
ethical, stay within scope, report limitations, avoid unsafe actions, and communicate
clearly.
✔✔ What is the main purpose of professional responsibilities in home inspection? -
✔✔To define ethical, legal, safety, and communication duties of the inspector.
✔✔What is a standard of practice? - ✔✔A set of minimum requirements describing what
an inspector must inspect, report, and exclude.
✔✔What is a code of ethics? - ✔✔Rules that guide professional conduct, honesty,
conflicts of interest, and client protection.
✔✔What is a pre-inspection agreement? - ✔✔A contract that defines the inspection
scope, limitations, fee, and responsibilities before the inspection.
✔✔Why is a pre-inspection agreement important? - ✔✔It sets expectations and helps
reduce misunderstandings and liability.
✔✔When should a pre-inspection agreement be signed? - ✔✔Before the inspection
begins.
✔✔What is inspection scope? - ✔✔The defined limits of what is included and excluded
in the inspection.
✔✔What does "visual inspection" mean? - ✔✔The inspector observes visible and
accessible components without destructive or invasive methods.
✔✔What does "non-invasive" mean? - ✔✔The inspector does not damage property,
dismantle systems, or open concealed areas.
✔✔What does "readily accessible" mean? - ✔✔Accessible without moving personal
property, causing damage, or using unsafe methods.
✔✔Is a home inspector required to inspect concealed areas? - ✔✔No. Concealed or
inaccessible areas are outside the standard inspection scope.
✔✔Is a home inspector required to move furniture? - ✔✔No. Moving furniture or
personal belongings is generally outside the standard scope.
✔✔Is a home inspector required to determine property boundaries? - ✔✔No. Boundary
determination is outside the scope and requires a survey.
