So you think you want to be a home inspector? Regardless of your background, take this simple test created by the residential home inspection training faculty at BTC and see what you know. You might be surprised!

Standard elements of the home inspection include all of the following EXCEPT
1. field review of performance
2. evaluation of physical condition
3. visual inspection of readily accessible installed components
4. appraisal, fair market value
The best recommendation to give a client, regarding this roof, would be
1. it requires some do-it-yourself moss removal
2. heavy moss growth. It is near, or at, the end of it's life so it should be replaced or evaluated by a roofer
3. locate and check the original roofer's warranty to see how many more years of life are left in it
4. it's toast. Inspector should, if he or she is able, immediately put in a bid for doing the tear-off and replacement
A licensed home inspector in Washington state, who does not have a structural pest inspector's license, will
1. be allowed to report wood destroying insects and their damage
2. be allowed to report termite, but not ant damage
3. report conducive conditions, wood decay fungi and insect activity or damage
4. be allowed to report conducive conditions and wood decay fungi
Which phrase does NOT apply to home inspection?
1. neutral and unbiased
2. a simple practice and business
3. paid, whether or not the transaction is completed
4. a performance
This photo shows
1. cubical brown rot
2. white rot
3. dry rot
4. termite damage
In the schematic drawing of a wall, number 6 is
1. 6 mil black plastic
2. the vapor barrier
3. housewrap or building paper
4. insulation
Most industry standards dictate that a home inspector will
1. avoid conflicts of interest and not do repairs on homes he or she inspected, unless one year has elapsed since the inspection
2. never agree to do any repair work, even if the problems were cited by another home inspector
3. only agree to do repair work after the client states that a potential conflict of interest is not a problem
4. never do repair work on a home that he or she has inspected
Which party is LEAST likely to hire a home inspector?
1. a buyer requesting a pre-purchase home inspection
2. a seller requesting a pre-listing home inspection
3. an owner requesting a pre-renovation inspection
4. a bank requesting a mortgage lending inspection
To maintain perspective during an inspection, a home inspector should think of his or her primary obligation as being
1. to the buyer
2. to the realtor who referred the inspector to the client
3. to the home itself
4. to the seller
The component, pictured behind the chimney, is a
1. gable
2. gambrel
3. cricket
4. caisson
Most realtors
1. feel morally obligated to refer the most qualified and detail oriented home inspectors
2. understand that, whether it complicates deals or not, home inspectors have a place in the real estate industry
3. encourage negative home inspection reports to raise their client's anxiety levels
4. will never criticize or question a home inspection report, realizing the inspector is the expert
The home inspector is required to
1. perform a technically exhaustive inspection if a safety concern is discovered
2. traverse all roofs
3. determine the cause of a problem
4. prepare a written report
Which statement is true regarding home inspection?
1. a report includes descriptions and recommendations
2. a report should never disclose a serious problem, as it may "scare-off" the buyer
3. the inspection should not proceed until the client is available to accompany the inspector
4. all of the above
The lower circuit breaker in this photo is an example of
1. an acceptable method of extending a service panel's capacity
2. a method not acceptable unless the same number of taps occur on each breaker
3. an inspection concern that is reported as double tapping
4. the recommended way to fasten two wires to a single breaker
The insect in this photo
1. is not found in Washington State
2. chews wood but does not eat wood
3. eats wood
4. is the wrong color to be a carpenter ant
References to building codes
1. should be avoided
2. help limit, or reduce, the inspector's liability
3. vary from city to city so it's a bonus for the client when they are clarified
4. are an excellent way to enhance an inspector's credibility
All of the following are examples of prevention strategies for limiting liability EXCEPT to
1. perform a thorough inspection
2. ensure the client has reasonable expectations
3. inspect to nationally recognized standards
4. inspect, in greater depth, those areas of the home where the client has a concern
In the schematic drawing of a chimney, number 2 is
1. the apron flashing
2. the cricket flashing
3. the counter flashing
4. the step flashing
Standard home inspections must include
1. design analysis
2. a visual, not a technically exhaustive, inspection
3. calculations of strength and adequacy of structural members
4. a review of the building plans, if they are provided by the client
The insect in this photo
1. is a termite alate
2. does not eat wood
3. is not a wood destroying organism
4. is a winged carpenter ant
In home inspection, historically, the individual most likely to succeed in the business is probably from
1. the building trades, such as a former contractor, plumber, electrician
2. the sales or marketing industries
3. the software or computer industry
4. it is impossible to predict
All of the following contain "scope" statements EXCEPT
1. the home was inspected for a buyer
2. the inspection included the heating and air-conditioning systems at the request of the client
3. the inspection addressed only those issues requested in the attached letter from the client
4. the attic was inspected, by standing on a ladder at the open hatch
A home inspector may determine it is not necessary to provide the client with a written report if
1. he or she was able to verbally convey all essential information at the time of the inspection
2. misleading question, the inspector should always provide a written report
3. the inspector is having software problems
4. the inspector has charged a lesser fee for a lesser report
When inspecting this water heater, the best comment would be
1. the TPR valve is installed backwards
2. the TPR drain line should not be copper pipe
3. the TPR drain line should not be routed up
4. the TPR valve is mandatory but the drain line is optional
The water supply tubing, shown in the photo, could be described as
1. vulnerable to leaks
2. a complaint or lawsuit waiting to happen if an inspector misses it
3. polybutylene plastic
4. all of the above
According to the rules of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, a licensed structural pest inspector MUST inspect any ___________ that is accessible.
1. attic
2. roof
3. septic tank drain field
4. crawl space
The wood pieces, nailed from the sides of the post to each side of the beam, are called
1. purlins
2. sisters
3. positive connections
4. chords
This is a photo of
1. painted cedar siding that has a knot
2. oriented strand board (OSB) siding that was subject to a class action lawsuit
3. a high quality and readily available wood siding
4. a manufacturer's symbol common on hardboard siding
This crawl space lumber has been subjected to moisture from a water leak at a fixture above. This is an example of
1. wood decay fungi
2. dry rot
3. a termite infestation
4. white rot fungi
If you are licensed as a structural pest inspector or a home inspector, which structure would you NOT be required to inspect?
1. a storage room with a foundation shared with the home that has a separate roof system
2. an office with a roof and foundation that is shared with the home
3. a bedroom across the patio from the home that shares a roof with the detached garage
4. an art studio with a roof shared with the home that has a separate foundation system

So you think you want to be a home inspector? Regardless of your background, take this simple test created by the residential home inspection training faculty at BTC and see what you know. You might be surprised!

Quiz