Question 1

While conducting an inspection, you notice what you believe to be a gas leak. Which of the following actions should you NOT take?
A)Vacate the home
B)Indicate the problem in the inspection report
C)Continue with the inspection
D)Notify all parties and the appropriate authorities

Accepted Answer

While conducting an inspection, you notice what you believe to be a gas leak. In this case, do not continue the inspection. A gas leak is a potential safety hazard that needs to be addressed immediately. As soon as you suspect the home is dangerous, you must vacate the premises and let all parties know about the situation. You also need to make a note about the gas leak in the inspection report.

Question 2

When completing the home inspection report, which of the following elements is NOT required?
A)Analysis of geological hazards
B)Comments on cosmetic features
C)Opinion of property location
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

When completing the home inspection report, none of the above elements is required. Inspectors have no way of predicting when geological conditions may become hazardous. Cosmetic features of the property are generally not considered during an inspection. Property location has no bearing on the inspection outcome.

Question 3

While inspecting the air conditioning system, you notice the return air ducts are inadequate. How do you handle this situation on the home inspection report?
A)Recommend undercutting all bedroom doors
B)Recommend installation of additional return air ducts, especially in bedrooms
C)Recommend installation of additional return air ducts, especially in bathrooms
D)Recommend a new air conditioning system

Accepted Answer

While inspecting the air conditioning system, you notice the return air ducts are inadequate. Your home inspection report should recommend installing additional return air ducts, especially in bedrooms. Undercutting bedroom doors does not sufficiently address the issue of reducing air pressure in the bedrooms when the doors are closed. You do not want additional return air ducts in bathrooms because bathroom odors will be dispersed throughout the home. A new air conditioning system is not necessary.

Question 4

What are home inspectors NOT required to describe when inspecting unfinished spaces?
A)Ventilation
B)Insulation
C)Temperature
D)Vapor retarders

Accepted Answer

Home inspectors are not required to describe the temperature when inspecting unfinished spaces. Attics and crawl spaces may be damp and cool or excessively hot. What is important to note is whether there is proper ventilation, insulation, and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces. The inspection report should detail the condition and location of these elements.

Question 5

Regarding windows, which of the following elements does NOT require a comment in the home inspection report?
A)Absence of window panes
B)Absence of window screens
C)Condition of window screens
D)Condition of window treatments

Accepted Answer

The condition of window treatments does not require a comment in the home inspection report. Inspectors are not required to inspect window treatments. The presence, absence, or condition of window treatments should not be included in inspection reports. Window treatments are cosmetic in nature rather than mandatory elements.

Question 6

When inspecting the exterior of the home, you notice there are no rain gutters. Your report should reflect which of the following?
A)There are no rain gutters.
B)There are no rain gutters, and the home's foundation is compromised.
C)There are no rain gutters, and the owner must install them.
D)There are no rain gutters, and this is a code violation.

Accepted Answer

When inspecting the exterior of the home, you notice there are no rain gutters. Your report should reflect that there are no rain gutters. Additional comment is not necessary because rain gutters are not legally required for health or safety reasons. The owner does not have to install rain gutters if they are not mandated by law or code.

Question 7

After inspecting a vacant property, which of the following is the BEST statement to include in your report?
A)Unable to determine overall condition of electrical system at this time.
B)Pre-closing inspection is recommended.
C)Plumbing system is not available to inspect at this time.
D)Heating and cooling systems are not functional at this time.

Accepted Answer

After inspecting a vacant property, the best statement to include in your report is that a pre-closing inspection is recommended. It is common for certain systems to be turned off in vacant homes. Even if you can inspect the various systems, it is possible that defects would notbe visible until all systems are in full use. For this reason, the client should have another inspection completed before buying or selling the home. During the time between inspections, the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems should be in operation.

Question 8

After completing the home inspection, how should you give your findings to the client?
A)In a written report
B)In a written report with photographs
C)Verbally and in a written report
D)Any of the above

Accepted Answer

After completing the home inspection, you may give your findings to the client in any of the above ways, but a written report is mandatory. Some inspectors prefer to type up their findings but will give a verbal overview right away to the client. It is common for inspectors to include photographs of defects when requested to do so by clients.

Question 9

Home inspection reports must contain all but which one of the following elements?
A)Remaining life expectancy of appliances
B)Status of the home as occupied or vacant
C)Address of the property inspected
D)Weather conditions at time of inspection

Accepted Answer

Home inspection reports must contain all of the elements except the remaining life expectancy of appliances. Inspectors are not required to inspect any type of household appliance. Additionally, inspectors should not suggest a remaining life expectancy for appliances, systems, or components of systems in the home.

Question 10

You open the electrical service panel and see rust inside the panel near the wires. Which of the following actions should you take?
A)Do nothing as long as the rust is not on the grounding bar.
B)Remove as much of the rust as possible regardless of its location.
C)Describe the findings in your report and recommend an electrician examine the panel.
D)Touch the wires to make sure they are safe to use.

Accepted Answer

You open the electrical service panel and see rust inside the panel near the wires. You should describe your findings in your report and recommend an electrician examine the panel. Rust indicates water has gotten into the electrical service panel. Do not touch anything else in the panel. Close the panel door, make a note on your report, and inform the client and/or homeowner of the situation so an electrician can be called in to inspect the situation.

Question 11

The following statement is included in an inspection report: "Gutters are filled with leaves and debris. Remove debris to prevent roof damage." How would you BEST describe this statement?
A)Correct description of relationship between components
B)Incorrect description of relationship between components
C)Inappropriate suggestion for remedy to correct problem
D)Appropriate suggestion for remedy to correct problem

Accepted Answer

The following statement is included in an inspection report: "Gutters are filled with leaves and debris. Remove debris to prevent roof damage."This statement is an appropriate suggestion for a remedy to correct the problem. It does present a correct description of the relationship between gutters and roofs. Since the client is interested in keeping the property in good working order it is more meaningful to include a recommendation for how to prevent damage to the roof.

Question 12

To complete the home inspection report, you need to know various acronyms. What does EIFS stand for?
A)Exterior insulation for security
B)Exterior insulation and finish system
C)Exterior installation of finishing system
D)Exterior installation for security

Accepted Answer

To complete the home inspection report, you need to know various acronyms. EIFS stands for exterior insulation and finish system. Also known as synthetic stucco, EIFS is a type of cladding used on exterior walls that insulates and waterproofs. There are many variations of EIFS that are used on homes today.

Question 13

While completing the inspection of the electrical system, you realize there is an electrical problem. Which of the following actions do you NOT take?
A)Identify the cause of the electrical problem.
B)Make a note of the electrical problem in your report.
C)Recommend the client contact a certified electrician.
D)Take a picture of the problem area.

Accepted Answer

While completing the inspection of the electrical system, you realize there is an electrical problem. You do not need to identify the cause of the electrical problem. Home inspectors are not required to determine or identify the root cause of any type of defect or problem in the home. Your insurance provider may preclude you from identifying causes of defects to avoid liability. The problem should definitely be noted in the report, however. If you can see where the problem originates, including a picture in your report is acceptable. It is permissible to recommend the type of technician that is needed to identify and address the problem (in this scenario, a certified electrician).

Question 14

You test for carbon monoxide accumulation while conducting a home inspection. What should your report reflect?
A)Equipment you used to perform the test
B)Findings of the test in each room tested
C)Recommendations if deficiencies are found
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

You test for carbon monoxide accumulation while conducting a home inspection. Your report should include the make and model of the carbon monoxide meter you used to test for carbon monoxide. List each room tested and the findings separately if necessary. If slight levels of carbon monoxide are detected, include recommendations to correct the problem. If high levels are detected, leave the home and inform the client and homeowners of the immediate threat.

Question 15

Your client requests a "technically exhaustive" inspection. How do you respond?
A)You prepare to perform an in-depth inspection of all systems and concealed components.
B)You contact expert technicians to complete the in-depth inspections of systems.
C)You explain you are only able to perform a standard inspection.
D)You ask what a "technically exhaustive" inspection is before you complete one.

Accepted Answer

Your client requests a "technically exhaustive" inspection. You respond by explaining you are only able to perform a standard inspection. A technically exhaustive inspection requires the presence of a certified electrician, plumber, and HVAC technician. You would also need to inspect components that are not visible to complete this type of inspection.

Question 16

If you find deficiencies during an inspection, your inspection report should include which of the following?
A)Summary of deficiencies with repair recommendations
B)Summary of deficiencies with recommendation to buy or sell
C)Summary of deficiencies with commentary about condition of home
D)Summary of deficiencies with a note the home did not pass inspection

Accepted Answer

If you find deficiencies during an inspection, your inspection report should include a summary of the deficiencies with repair recommendations. The summary is typically included at the end of the report. You can recommend a specific type of technician to perform the repair or to further evaluate a particular deficiency.

Question 17

Which of the following observations is acceptable to include in a home inspection report?
A)Home is structurally sound
B)Roof will last for at least another five years
C)Electrical system is perfectly safe
D)None of the above

Accepted Answer

None of the above observations are acceptable to include in a home inspection report. Since you are not performing a "technically exhaustive" inspection, you cannot state with certainty that the home is structurally sound. Only a structural engineer can make that statement. You have no way of knowing how long a roof will last. Your report can indicate the average life of a roof and when the existing roof was installed. There is no way you can know the electrical system is safe because you are only evaluating observable components of the system.

Question 18

The reason weather conditions need to be noted on the inspection report is because
A)Inspections in cold weather do not last as long so they cost less.
B)Accumulated snow or ice can prevent proper inspection of exterior components.
C)Inspections in hot weather take longer and cost more.
D)Accumulated rain water can affect the soil around the foundation of a home.

Accepted Answer

The reason weather conditions need to be noted on the inspection report is because accumulated snow or ice can prevent proper inspection of exterior components. Inspectors are not required to remove obstacles such as snow in order to perform an inspection. Winter weather can also prevent the air conditioning system from being tested if exterior components such as exhaust fans are not clear of snow or ice.

Question 19

What should you do if you are not able to inspect a particular component for some reason?
A)Mark the item as "not inspected" on the report and provide an explanation.
B)Mark the item as "failed" on the report and provide an explanation.
C)Mark the item as "good" on the report and assume everything is fine.
D)Leave the item blank on the report.

Accepted Answer

If you are not able to inspect a particular component for some reason, you should mark the item as "not inspected" on the report and provide an explanation. The client has the right to know if there were any limitations to your inspection. Home inspections do not "pass" or "fail" components. Rather, inspection reports provide detailed information to clients about the current state of the home including deficiencies and recommendations for repair. Never make a guess about the condition of a component or leave an item blank on inspection reports. Both are grounds for legal action due to misrepresentation of the facts or negligence.

Question 20

While inspecting, you notice that the floorboards squeak throughout the home. How do you address this in your report?
A)Recommend wall-to-wall carpeting as a remedy.
B)Recommend dehumidifiers in multiple rooms to eliminate water vapor.
C)Make note of it but make no recommendation for repairs.
D)Make note of it and recommend a structural engineer take a look at the home.

Accepted Answer

While inspecting, you notice that the floorboards squeak throughout the home. In your report, you should make note of it but make no recommendations for repairs. Squeaks can be impossible to eliminate. It is unlikely there is any structural problem that is causing the squeaking. Carpeting will not help the situation, nor will dehumidifiers.

Quiz 1: Analysis Reporting

While conducting an inspection, you notice what you believe to be a gas leak. Which of the following actions should you NOT take?

When completing the home inspection report, which of the following elements is NOT required?

While inspecting the air conditioning system, you notice the return air ducts are inadequate. How do you handle this situation on the home inspection report?

What are home inspectors NOT required to describe when inspecting unfinished spaces?

Regarding windows, which of the following elements does NOT require a comment in the home inspection report?

When inspecting the exterior of the home, you notice there are no rain gutters. Your report should reflect which of the following?

After inspecting a vacant property, which of the following is the BEST statement to include in your report?

After completing the home inspection, how should you give your findings to the client?

Home inspection reports must contain all but which one of the following elements?

You open the electrical service panel and see rust inside the panel near the wires. Which of the following actions should you take?

The following statement is included in an inspection report: "Gutters are filled with leaves and debris. Remove debris to prevent roof damage." How would you BEST describe this statement?

To complete the home inspection report, you need to know various acronyms. What does EIFS stand for?

While completing the inspection of the electrical system, you realize there is an electrical problem. Which of the following actions do you NOT take?

You test for carbon monoxide accumulation while conducting a home inspection. What should your report reflect?

Your client requests a "technically exhaustive" inspection. How do you respond?

If you find deficiencies during an inspection, your inspection report should include which of the following?

Which of the following observations is acceptable to include in a home inspection report?

The reason weather conditions need to be noted on the inspection report is because

What should you do if you are not able to inspect a particular component for some reason?

While inspecting, you notice that the floorboards squeak throughout the home. How do you address this in your report?