Hi,
I’m currently studying to become a home inspector and I’m wondering how I would respond to someone questioning a standard that I might reference in a report. For example, image I have a report identifying rafters spaced 2.5 ft when they should be spaced every 2 feet. The attorney for the seller, calls and questions this standard. is there an authority that any home inspector can refer these types of questions?
Thanks,
Justin
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The attorney isn’t your client. If you’re going to reference the spacing of a rafter or a truss, you had better know your local codes. Anything else would just be a guess.
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Standard Industry Practice.
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Is there a reference for the Standard Industry Practice? If so, how does this compare to the International Residential Codes https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2024P
Thanks.
J
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^^^ This. I would also add the code(s) that were in effect and used at the time of the original build, addition, significant modification, etc. You should note that the Building Codes, Electrical Code, etc., do not create good “Industry Practice”. Instead good “Industry Practice” are used to create these codes.
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Despite all the code-talk and rule mongers you’ve undoubtedly found (which is likely what led you to ask this question) an HI’s purpose is to evaluate performance. If the roof is sagging you don’t need a standard or rule or code… it’s not working.
Every set of SOPs I’ve ever read has something to the effect of, “The purpose of the inspection is to determine if a given system or component is performing as intended.” Notice, there’s nothing about design in there. Yet, 90% of the questions on message boards are trying to second-guess contractors, engineers, architects and builders… and we all wonder why builders keep moving the target for us to enter their property. It’s because we make their lives hell by thinking we know more than we do.
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If you saw what I see on new builds you wouldn’t say this.
I’m booked solid into May right now in a large project. The builder is Pulte and welcomes the reports my clients send them every day. They are failing and they understand where they have failed.
They want what’s best for their client and we have a professional relationship.
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I agree and definitely see and write up plenty of design things on new construction that haven’t started “not performing as intended” (yet). I just think it’s important to keep new inspectors’ eye on the ball of what our ultimate purpose is. We all represent the profession and I’m confident the newer end of the “we” are the ones out there giving us a bad name. Not trying to flame OP… quite the opposite. Keep hanging out here and learning.
This reminds me of something I wrote specifically about in my book. Here’s a relevant snippet:
*Another one along these lines that I always remember is when one of my employees called me to ask for some clarification on a boiler fed heating system in a relatively new, luxury high-rise building he was inspecting a unit in. Having been in the building several times I explained the heat system to him pretty quickly. Almost in passing he laughingly mentioned the entire place was wired wrong. No ground wires in the panel at all. He just couldn’t believe it and was having a good chuckle about it. So, let’s stand back and look at the possibilities here: An entire high-rise was wired wrong by dozens of commercial electricians and it was missed by all the city inspectors and superintendents OR my inspector doesn’t understand that commercial buildings often don’t contain traditional romex wiring and get their ground from metal conduit. I quickly informed him it was the latter and hoped like hell he hadn’t opened his mouth yet to the client and agent. Luckily, he hadn’t and it all ended well as a good learning experience.
*The very important lesson with these examples is to keep an open mind and that you don’t know everything. Rules and codes change, there are regional differences and you just might not know something, or may have gotten some misinformation along the way. One of my favorite things to tell people when they bring up the code is that just when I’m sure I know something, someone pulls out the 600 page book and shows me why I’m wrong. Leaving the door opened to the possibility that you are incorrect is an extremely important part of being a successful Home Inspector. Maybe it’s just my nature but even when I get questioned on something I am absolutely certain I am right about, I will check to be sure there haven’t been any recent changes in the subject in question before responding.
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Yes. You said your inquiry would come from a lawyer and this term is understood by him in its legal context.
“Standard industry practice” refers to the generally accepted methods, procedures, or norms that businesses or professionals in a specific industry follow. It’s what a “reasonable” company or practitioner would do under similar circumstances, often used as a benchmark in legal cases to determine negligence, compliance, or liability.
Building codes will vary and, where they exist, are not always uniformly enforced. Only the AHJ has the authority in a particular jurisdiction to say if something complies or not with the code. All you can attest to are the existence of standard industry practices you inspect in accord with your standard of practice.
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In this cae it would be the IRC for a verifiable source. FYI an attorney is not going to call you with a question like this and if they do for whatever reason you do not need to provide an answer since they are not your client.
Your Standard that you are working under also will be dependent on if you are in a licensed State and then you will use their standards. Pretty much everything we do as a home inspector is based on the various building codes that are found it the IRC/NFPA/NEC. They would be your verifiable sourcess if asked. Yes, some part of the country will have other code sources, that you should be aware of and have knowledge of.
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3rd HVAC supply duct in two weeks that never made it into the room. I guess it helped keep that attic conditioned for the last 10 months.
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I start with manufacturer’s installation instructions, then the IRC or related such as IPC or UPC, then reputable trade associations. Finally, my opinion.
Or sometimes I just begin and end with my opinion.
Here is an example. This downdraft terminated in the small cavity under the cabinet. If questioned, all they are going to get from me is an eye roll. lol.
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That cavity is going to be a greasy roach hotel. Should be in the WTF thread 
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That duct does not appear to be made of a smooth interior. Is it galvanized steel, copper or stainless steel? I have a hunch it’s aluminum.
What do your codes say about piping material in a downdraft exhaust underground?
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There is a basement. But there is no exhaust, lol.
From memory, the code says it has to be a rigid, smooth pipe with a damper to the exterior. I would have to review it for the remaining details.
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I thought this was a slab. Interesting defect. Here the duct needs to be made of galvanized steel, stainless steel or copper. It must be of a smooth interior and airtight with a proper damper.
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It was a quick flip from an investor firm in CA. You know how it goes, paint, flooring, slam in some new appliances and put out a yard sign. The deck was even more fun. A mixture of 20 year old lumber and new material. I found termite damage in the old material and the new material installed incorrectly. Apparently everyone is trying to skim off of the consumer.
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Integrity in the population is becoming a thing of the past.
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