NHIE Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An inspector is hired by a buyer's agent to inspect a home. To whom does the inspector owe the primary duty of care?
- The buyer's real estate agent
- The seller of the property
- The client who contracted the inspection (Correct answer)
- The listing brokerage
Correct answer: The client who contracted the inspection
The inspector's primary duty is always to the client — the person who contracted for the inspection.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the inspection methodology required by NHIE Standards?
- Invasive investigation to locate hidden defects
- Non-invasive visual examination of accessible systems (Correct answer)
- Destructive testing of structural components
- Complete disassembly of mechanical systems
Correct answer: Non-invasive visual examination of accessible systems
NHIE Standards require a non-invasive visual examination of readily accessible systems and components.
Question 3: What is the inspector's obligation when unsafe conditions prevent inspection of a component?
- Skip the component and do not mention it in the report
- Enter the area anyway and document findings
- Note in the report that the component was not inspected and the reason (Correct answer)
- Charge the client an additional fee before inspecting
Correct answer: Note in the report that the component was not inspected and the reason
The inspector must document in the report any component not inspected along with the reason it was not inspected.
Question 4: A home inspector finds evidence of active wood-destroying insects during an inspection. Under NHIE Standards, the inspector should:
- Treat the infestation before completing the inspection
- Report the finding and recommend further evaluation by a licensed pest specialist (Correct answer)
- Determine the extent of damage and estimate repair costs
- Withhold this information until a separate pest inspection is ordered
Correct answer: Report the finding and recommend further evaluation by a licensed pest specialist
Inspectors identify and report visible evidence and recommend specialist evaluation rather than diagnosing or treating the problem.
Question 5: Under the Code of Ethics, an inspector who also holds a contractor's license may perform repairs on a home they inspected:
- Immediately after completing the inspection report
- Only if the client provides written authorization and is informed of the conflict (Correct answer)
- Never, because performing repairs on inspected properties is always prohibited
- Only if repairs are unrelated to defects found during the inspection
Correct answer: Only if the client provides written authorization and is informed of the conflict
Some jurisdictions permit repairs after inspection if the client is fully informed and provides written consent, but the conflict must be disclosed.
Question 6: Which action best demonstrates an inspector's duty to maintain impartiality?
- Adjusting findings based on the buyer's desired purchase outcome
- Reporting all material defects regardless of their impact on the transaction (Correct answer)
- Softening defect language to help the transaction close smoothly
- Omitting defects if the seller plans to disclose them separately
Correct answer: Reporting all material defects regardless of their impact on the transaction
Impartiality requires reporting all material defects objectively, without regard to the transaction outcome.
Question 7: According to NHIE Standards, which of the following is typically EXCLUDED from a standard home inspection?
- Roof covering condition
- Visible foundation cracks
- Underground utilities (Correct answer)
- HVAC filter condition
Correct answer: Underground utilities
Underground utilities are not visible and are therefore outside the scope of a standard non-invasive visual inspection.
NHIE Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics 3
An inspector is hired by a buyer's agent to inspect a home.
To whom does the inspector owe the primary duty of care?