NHIE EVALUATION CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What should an inspector do when an immediate safety concern is observed? -
✔✔Report it clearly and recommend prompt correction or qualified evaluation.
✔✔What is a material defect? - ✔✔A significant defect that may affect safety,
habitability, value, or normal use.
✔✔What is cosmetic damage? - ✔✔Damage that mainly affects appearance and not
safety or function.
✔✔Are inspectors always required to report cosmetic defects? - ✔✔Not always, unless
they relate to function, safety, moisture, or agreed scope.
✔✔What is a system? - ✔✔A group of components that work together, such as
plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.
✔✔What is a component? - ✔✔A part of a system, such as a breaker, pipe, valve,
window, or joist.
✔✔What is representative sampling? - ✔✔Inspecting a sample of similar items rather
than every single item.
✔✔Why might representative sampling be used? - ✔✔Because standards may not
require every identical component to be tested.
✔✔What is due diligence? - ✔✔The client's process of gathering information before
making a decision.
✔✔How does a home inspection help due diligence? - ✔✔It gives the client information
about visible property conditions and defects.
, ✔✔What is liability? - ✔✔Legal responsibility for actions, omissions, errors, or
negligence.
✔✔How can inspectors reduce liability? - ✔✔Use clear agreements, follow standards,
report limitations, document findings, and stay within scope.
✔✔What is negligence? - ✔✔Failing to act with reasonable care expected of a
professional.
✔✔What is the importance of documentation? - ✔✔It supports what was observed,
reported, limited, or recommended.
✔✔Why are photos useful? - ✔✔They help document visible defects and locations.
✔✔Do photos replace written comments? - ✔✔No. Photos support but do not replace
clear written reporting.
✔✔What is a reinspection? - ✔✔A follow-up inspection to check whether specific repairs
were completed.
✔✔Does a reinspection guarantee repair quality? - ✔✔No. It only reports visible
conditions at the time of reinspection unless otherwise agreed.
✔✔What should an inspector do if asked to verify concealed repairs? - ✔✔Explain the
limitation and recommend documentation or evaluation by the repair professional when
needed.
✔✔What is a specialist referral? - ✔✔Recommendation for further evaluation by a
qualified professional in a specific trade or field.
✔✔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.
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What should an inspector do when an immediate safety concern is observed? -
✔✔Report it clearly and recommend prompt correction or qualified evaluation.
✔✔What is a material defect? - ✔✔A significant defect that may affect safety,
habitability, value, or normal use.
✔✔What is cosmetic damage? - ✔✔Damage that mainly affects appearance and not
safety or function.
✔✔Are inspectors always required to report cosmetic defects? - ✔✔Not always, unless
they relate to function, safety, moisture, or agreed scope.
✔✔What is a system? - ✔✔A group of components that work together, such as
plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.
✔✔What is a component? - ✔✔A part of a system, such as a breaker, pipe, valve,
window, or joist.
✔✔What is representative sampling? - ✔✔Inspecting a sample of similar items rather
than every single item.
✔✔Why might representative sampling be used? - ✔✔Because standards may not
require every identical component to be tested.
✔✔What is due diligence? - ✔✔The client's process of gathering information before
making a decision.
✔✔How does a home inspection help due diligence? - ✔✔It gives the client information
about visible property conditions and defects.
, ✔✔What is liability? - ✔✔Legal responsibility for actions, omissions, errors, or
negligence.
✔✔How can inspectors reduce liability? - ✔✔Use clear agreements, follow standards,
report limitations, document findings, and stay within scope.
✔✔What is negligence? - ✔✔Failing to act with reasonable care expected of a
professional.
✔✔What is the importance of documentation? - ✔✔It supports what was observed,
reported, limited, or recommended.
✔✔Why are photos useful? - ✔✔They help document visible defects and locations.
✔✔Do photos replace written comments? - ✔✔No. Photos support but do not replace
clear written reporting.
✔✔What is a reinspection? - ✔✔A follow-up inspection to check whether specific repairs
were completed.
✔✔Does a reinspection guarantee repair quality? - ✔✔No. It only reports visible
conditions at the time of reinspection unless otherwise agreed.
✔✔What should an inspector do if asked to verify concealed repairs? - ✔✔Explain the
limitation and recommend documentation or evaluation by the repair professional when
needed.
✔✔What is a specialist referral? - ✔✔Recommendation for further evaluation by a
qualified professional in a specific trade or field.
✔✔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.
