A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive review of a home’s accessible systems, from the roof and structure to plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling. Under the InterNACHI and ASHI standards of practice, an inspector does not have to find concealed or latent defects, confirm code compliance, or determine environmental hazards such as mold. Those need separate specialists.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
What does a standard home inspection cover?
A standard inspection covers the visible condition of the home’s major systems on the day of the inspection. Two inspector associations publish the standards of practice discussed here: the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
InterNACHI’s Home Inspection Standards of Practice have 10 system sections:[1]
- Roof
- Exterior
- Basement, foundation, crawlspace and structure
- Heating
- Cooling
- Plumbing
- Electrical, including AFCI and GFCI protection (arc-fault and ground-fault circuit interrupters) and smoke and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors
- Fireplace
- Attic, insulation and ventilation
- Doors, windows and interior
ASHI’s Standard of Practice, in effect since March 1, 2014, aims to give you information about the condition of the inspected systems and components at the time of the inspection.[2]
What does a home inspection not cover?
A home inspection does not look inside walls, test for hazards or check the building code. InterNACHI states that an inspection is not technically exhaustive and will not identify concealed or latent defects.[1] The table compares the two standards.
| Item | InterNACHI Standards of Practice | ASHI Standard of Practice (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Visible condition of roof, structure and major systems | Covered, across 10 system sections[1] | Covered, as the condition of inspected systems and components at the time of inspection[2] |
| Concealed or latent defects | Excluded[1] | Excluded[2] |
| Code compliance | Excluded[1] | Excluded[2] |
| Mold | Excluded (mold, mildew or fungus)[1] | Excluded (molds and mold-like substances)[2] |
| Radon | Excluded (airborne hazards, including radon)[1] | Not named. Excludes environmental hazards, including radioactive substances and contaminants in air.[2] |
| Lead paint, asbestos and problem drywall | Excluded (environmental hazards, including lead paint, asbestos or toxic drywall)[1] | Not named. Excludes contaminants in building materials.[2] |
| Wood destroying organisms | Not listed in the limits we reviewed | Excluded[2] |
ASHI’s members approved a revised standard in a vote that closed January 8, 2026. Its effective date is listed as to be determined in 2026, and the 2014 standard stays in force until then.[3][4] The revised standard covers 1 to 4 family homes. It expressly lists mold, fungus, allergens, toxins, carcinogens and asbestos among the conditions an inspector need not determine.[4]
Will a home inspection find construction defects?
It can find visible ones, but not hidden ones. Both standards exclude concealed conditions and latent defects.[1][2] California law defines a latent deficiency as one that is not apparent by reasonable inspection.[12] Leaks inside walls are one example. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Solution Center says window flashing damage is often not found until the wall is badly damaged.[14] See what counts as a construction defect.
Cladding shows the limit clearly. InterNACHI’s Phase I (visual) standard for exterior wall claddings excludes intrusive testing such as probing and destructive cores. Invasive testing is a separate, more technical inspection.[13] See the EIFS inspection and moisture testing guide.
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
No. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) form HUD-92564-CN says an appraisal estimates the home’s value for your lender and does not replace a home inspection. It also states that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) does not guarantee the value or condition of your home.[8]
What other inspections should you consider?
Add specialist inspections for the items a standard inspection leaves out.
- Radon: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) home buyer’s guide says to have the home tested if you are buying or selling, and to fix it at 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher. EPA links radon to about 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths a year.[9] The HUD form also notes that EPA and the Surgeon General recommend radon testing for all houses.[8]
- Lead, asbestos and problem drywall: these need certified or accredited specialists. See hazards in older homes.
- Mold: see mold after water intrusion.
- Specialty systems: ASHI publishes separate standards for predrywall, residential pool and spa, residential deck, and radon mitigation inspections.[3]
- New construction: a predrywall inspection happens after framing and before insulation and drywall.[5] InterNACHI’s pre-drywall standard also excludes mold, lead, asbestos and code compliance.[6] InterNACHI notes that drywall can hide problems and make them hard and costly to find or fix.[7] See new-construction inspections.
Are home inspectors licensed in your state?
It depends on the state. ASHI keeps a state-by-state regulations page with links for all 50 states.[10] Illinois is one example of a licensing state. It licenses home inspectors through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).[11] Check your state’s page before you hire.
Related guides
- New-construction and pre-drywall inspections
- Asbestos, lead paint, radon and problem drywall
- EIFS inspection and moisture testing
- What is a construction defect?
- Roof and flashing defects
- Foundation and structural defects
Sources
- InterNACHI, “Home Inspection Standards of Practice,” no date shown.
- American Society of Home Inspectors, “ASHI Standard of Practice for Home Inspections,” effective March 1, 2014 (PDF dated March 4, 2015).
- American Society of Home Inspectors, “Standard of Practice,” no date shown.
- American Society of Home Inspectors, “ASHI Standard of Practice (2026 approved version),” approved January 8, 2026, effective date to be determined.
- American Society of Home Inspectors, “Predrywall Standard,” no date shown.
- InterNACHI, “Pre-Drywall Inspection Standards of Practice,” no date shown.
- InterNACHI, “Pre-Drywall Inspections,” no date shown.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “For Your Protection: Get a Home Inspection (HUD-92564-CN),” February 9, 2023.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon (EPA 402/K-24/001),” March 2024.
- American Society of Home Inspectors, “State Regulations,” no date shown.
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, “Home Inspection,” no date shown.
- California Legislature, “Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337.15,” no date shown.
- InterNACHI, “International Phase I Standards of Practice for Inspecting Exterior Wall Claddings,” no date shown.
- U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Solution Center, “Windows and Doors are Fully Flashed,” last updated September 9, 2022.