FHIE Study Guide Questions with All
Accurate Answers 2026/2027 Updated.
What must home inspection provide to clients? - Answer Information regarding condition of
systems and components at the time of inspection.
List three components of written reports. - Answer Anything unsafe, inoperative or near end
of life.
Implications of deficiencies.
Recommendations.
What was not inspected and why.
What are two general limitations of home inspection? - Answer Inspections are visual and not
technically exhaustive.
Inspections are applicable to family units of four or less and associated garages and carports.
List general exclusions to home inspections. (10) - Answer Life expectancy
Causes of conditions
Methods, materials or cost of corrections
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.
Define technically exhaustive within the scope of a home inspection. - Answer Technically
exhaustive includes dismantling, extensive use of measurements, instruments, testing or
calculations.
Summarize each of the three elements of the Code of Ethics. - Answer 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
,Which components of the body of the report are required by the Standards? - Answer
Descriptions, conditions and implications unless they are self- evident.
Which elements of a report might be included, but are not required by the Standards? - Answer
Report summary
Client questionnaire
Maintenance tips
Failing systems
Life cycle and cost estimates
List three main functions of exterior cladding. - Answer Protect exterior from water
Provide security
Enhance the appearance
Expanding, rusting steel lintels over windows and doors often cause cracks in what directions in
masonry walls? - Answer Horizontal cracks
Stucco is made up of what three ingredients? - Answer Cement, aggregate and water
What is the problem of having aluminum in contact with stucco? - Answer It oxidizes
(deteriorates)
What is a kickout? - Answer A flashing used where a wall extends beyond a roof, to shed roof
water away from stucco.
What is the effect of vines growing on wood siding? - Answer Vines hold water and reduce the
drying potential.
Give four characteristics of siding that would perform best. - Answer Narrow, thick, rough and
short
How many layers of wood siding are typically used in a siding application? - Answer Two
What is the life expectancy of vinyl and aluminum siding? - Answer More than 40 years
Why should metal siding be grounded? - Answer So the house shell cannot become electrically
charged.
,How far should wood siding be kept above grade level? - Answer 6"
Where are soffits and fascia typically found? - Answer At the rafter ends.
List three mechanisms by which water can get into wall systems from the building exterior. -
Answer Rain driven by wind
Rain running down the wall (gravity)
Water wicking into the wall (capillary action)
Why should all of the risers in a set of steps be uniform? - Answer Uneven steps are a trip
hazard.
Maximum rise of a step. - Answer 7 3/4"
Tread depth minimum. - Answer 9"
Step nosing measurement range. - Answer 3/4" to 1 1/4"
What are the minimum dimensions for a stair landing? - Answer 3' by as wide as the door
(3'x3')
Why is the absence of a landing a safety hazard? - Answer An outward opening can knock
someone off of the stairs.
Describe spalling. - Answer Crumbling, flaking, or chipping of the surface of the masonry.
What is the best way to check for rot on a wooden stair stringer? - Answer Probe the wood
with an awl or screwdriver
Why can carpet on wood porches be bad? - Answer It prevents close inspection and holds
water against the wood causing rot.
Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks or balconies more than _____ inches above
grade. - Answer 30"
, The openings between railings and spindles should not be greater than _____ inches - Answer
4"
Why should spindles be vertical, not horizontal? - Answer Horizontal spindles are climable.
Railings on stairways should be between ____ inches and ____inches above stair nosing
depending on your area. - Answer 34 and 38"
What is the requirement for beam end bearing on masonry? - Answer 3"
True or False: Beams should be mechanically fastened to their supporting members. - Answer
True
Joists are usually spaced _____ or _____ inches on center. - Answer 16 or 24"
The metal brackets used to support joists are called _________. - Answer Joist hangars
What two inspection techniques can you use to check for sagging joists? - Answer Bounce on
the deck
Scan the deck with your eye at deck level
Two ways to attach a ledgerboard to a wood-framed structure are: - Answer Lag bolts every 24
inches
Multiple nails every 16 to 24"
What is the biggest problem with cantilevered decks? - Answer Rot is found where the joists
penetrate the wall.
Why are plywood or waferboard sheets poor choices for porch or deck flooring? - Answer
They absorb water readily and rot.
Why should there be no supply or return registers from heating/cooling ductwork in a garage? -
Answer To prevent fumes from entering the house.
True or False: Most garage floors are not structural. - Answer True
Garage floors that are suspended and have storage or living space below - Answer should be
investigated by a specialist.
Accurate Answers 2026/2027 Updated.
What must home inspection provide to clients? - Answer Information regarding condition of
systems and components at the time of inspection.
List three components of written reports. - Answer Anything unsafe, inoperative or near end
of life.
Implications of deficiencies.
Recommendations.
What was not inspected and why.
What are two general limitations of home inspection? - Answer Inspections are visual and not
technically exhaustive.
Inspections are applicable to family units of four or less and associated garages and carports.
List general exclusions to home inspections. (10) - Answer Life expectancy
Causes of conditions
Methods, materials or cost of corrections
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.
Define technically exhaustive within the scope of a home inspection. - Answer Technically
exhaustive includes dismantling, extensive use of measurements, instruments, testing or
calculations.
Summarize each of the three elements of the Code of Ethics. - Answer 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
,Which components of the body of the report are required by the Standards? - Answer
Descriptions, conditions and implications unless they are self- evident.
Which elements of a report might be included, but are not required by the Standards? - Answer
Report summary
Client questionnaire
Maintenance tips
Failing systems
Life cycle and cost estimates
List three main functions of exterior cladding. - Answer Protect exterior from water
Provide security
Enhance the appearance
Expanding, rusting steel lintels over windows and doors often cause cracks in what directions in
masonry walls? - Answer Horizontal cracks
Stucco is made up of what three ingredients? - Answer Cement, aggregate and water
What is the problem of having aluminum in contact with stucco? - Answer It oxidizes
(deteriorates)
What is a kickout? - Answer A flashing used where a wall extends beyond a roof, to shed roof
water away from stucco.
What is the effect of vines growing on wood siding? - Answer Vines hold water and reduce the
drying potential.
Give four characteristics of siding that would perform best. - Answer Narrow, thick, rough and
short
How many layers of wood siding are typically used in a siding application? - Answer Two
What is the life expectancy of vinyl and aluminum siding? - Answer More than 40 years
Why should metal siding be grounded? - Answer So the house shell cannot become electrically
charged.
,How far should wood siding be kept above grade level? - Answer 6"
Where are soffits and fascia typically found? - Answer At the rafter ends.
List three mechanisms by which water can get into wall systems from the building exterior. -
Answer Rain driven by wind
Rain running down the wall (gravity)
Water wicking into the wall (capillary action)
Why should all of the risers in a set of steps be uniform? - Answer Uneven steps are a trip
hazard.
Maximum rise of a step. - Answer 7 3/4"
Tread depth minimum. - Answer 9"
Step nosing measurement range. - Answer 3/4" to 1 1/4"
What are the minimum dimensions for a stair landing? - Answer 3' by as wide as the door
(3'x3')
Why is the absence of a landing a safety hazard? - Answer An outward opening can knock
someone off of the stairs.
Describe spalling. - Answer Crumbling, flaking, or chipping of the surface of the masonry.
What is the best way to check for rot on a wooden stair stringer? - Answer Probe the wood
with an awl or screwdriver
Why can carpet on wood porches be bad? - Answer It prevents close inspection and holds
water against the wood causing rot.
Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks or balconies more than _____ inches above
grade. - Answer 30"
, The openings between railings and spindles should not be greater than _____ inches - Answer
4"
Why should spindles be vertical, not horizontal? - Answer Horizontal spindles are climable.
Railings on stairways should be between ____ inches and ____inches above stair nosing
depending on your area. - Answer 34 and 38"
What is the requirement for beam end bearing on masonry? - Answer 3"
True or False: Beams should be mechanically fastened to their supporting members. - Answer
True
Joists are usually spaced _____ or _____ inches on center. - Answer 16 or 24"
The metal brackets used to support joists are called _________. - Answer Joist hangars
What two inspection techniques can you use to check for sagging joists? - Answer Bounce on
the deck
Scan the deck with your eye at deck level
Two ways to attach a ledgerboard to a wood-framed structure are: - Answer Lag bolts every 24
inches
Multiple nails every 16 to 24"
What is the biggest problem with cantilevered decks? - Answer Rot is found where the joists
penetrate the wall.
Why are plywood or waferboard sheets poor choices for porch or deck flooring? - Answer
They absorb water readily and rot.
Why should there be no supply or return registers from heating/cooling ductwork in a garage? -
Answer To prevent fumes from entering the house.
True or False: Most garage floors are not structural. - Answer True
Garage floors that are suspended and have storage or living space below - Answer should be
investigated by a specialist.
