Join InterNACHI's Ben Gromicko for a webinar on becoming a successful home inspector in Florida. This webinar will provide tips on software, time management, marketing & business, and much more!

Grab a coffee and join the informal discussion with InterNACHI’s Ben Gromicko and Inspector Website Builder's (IWB) clients. Inspector Website Builder is InterNACHI's Official Vendor for inspector websites (Visit www.nachi.org/website for details). This business and marketing coaching session over coffee is focused on IWB clients. Anyone can attend the webinar and listen in, but only IWB clients can ask questions and join the conversation.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI®) promotes a high standard of professionalism, business ethics, and inspection procedures. InterNACHI members subscribe to the InterNACHI® Code of Ethics in the course of their business.

The purpose of a glossary of terms for home inspections is to make content-specific words accessible to the student. Encountering many unfamiliar industry-specific words may be overwhelming for new inspectors. This is why InterNACHI® provides definitions for words related to home inspections within a glossary. 

The home inspector shall inspect a representative number of doors and windows; floors, walls, and ceilings; stairs, steps, landings, stairways, and ramps; railings, guards, and handrails; and garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers. 

Any inspection of the attic and insulation is inherently tied to other systems, such as the roof framing, the chimney, and the electrical system. The inspector should enter the attic space only if it is safe to do so. According to the Standards of Practice, the home inspector shall inspect insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspace, and foundation areas; ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces, and foundation areas; and mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry area.

Not all houses have fireplaces, but many do. In certain climates and geographical areas, fireplaces are common. If a fireplace exists in a house, there are a few things a home inspector is required to inspect. There are many things that a home inspection does not include, such as the interior chimney flue liner. Each fireplace and flue in a house should be inspected by a certified chimney sweep every year, and that recommendation should be made by a home inspector to their client.

The inspection of the electrical supply and systems is fairly complicated because it covers so many areas. It also poses potential hazards to the home inspector and often highlights defects that could endanger the home's occupants. Always keep safety in mind. Stay safe. Protect yourself and your clients by getting the proper training on electrical inspection, and equip yourself with the appropriate safety gear. 

According to the Standards of Practice, the home inspector shall inspect: the main water supply shut-off valve; the main fuel supply shut-off valve; the water heating equipment; interior water supply; all toilets; all sinks, tubs, and showers; the DWV system; and drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.

Central air-conditioning systems are defined as electrically operated refrigerant-type systems used for cooling and dehumidification. The home inspector shall inspect the cooling system using normal operating controls.