Standard of Practice
The published document defining what a home inspection includes, what it excludes, and how the inspector reports findings.
What is Standard of Practice?
A Standard of Practice is the backbone of a defensible inspection. It states which systems are inspected, that the inspection is visual and non-invasive, that it is a snapshot of conditions on the day, and what is specifically excluded — concealed components, buried lines, code compliance determination, and prediction of future performance among them. Whether you work under a state standard, ASHI, InterNACHI or another, the practical value is the same: it defines the boundary, and it is what protects you when a client asks why something behind a finished wall was not found. Reports should reference the standard being worked under.