Official Reference Guide

InterNACHI standards, section by section

This page breaks the InterNACHI standards into the major inspection categories and spells out what an inspector is expected to check and what falls outside that expectation.

Open Official InterNACHI Standards

How to use this page

This is a readability guide built from the InterNACHI structure. It is here to help clients understand the scope quickly before they dig into the full official standards text.

Roof

What the inspector should check

Roof coverings, flashings, skylights, chimneys, roof penetrations, drainage systems, and other visible roof-related components identified in the standards.
Visible signs of wear, damage, and conditions that may affect water shedding or normal roof performance.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Walking unsafe roofs, predicting exact remaining life, or dismantling roofing materials to inspect hidden layers.
Leak testing or certifying concealed conditions beneath finished roof coverings.

Exterior

What the inspector should check

Wall coverings, exterior doors, attached decks and balconies, steps, railings, eaves, soffits, fascias, walkways, grading, and visible drainage features within the standards scope.
Material defects, unsafe conditions, and visible deterioration that matter to performance or safety.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Inspecting every cosmetic issue or proving code compliance for every exterior detail.
Concealed flashing and hidden substrate conditions that require invasive work to verify.

Basement, foundation, crawlspace, and structure

What the inspector should check

Visible foundation walls, floor structure, wall structure, ceiling structure, roof structure where accessible, crawlspace conditions, and other accessible structural elements.
Movement, cracking, damage, moisture-related deterioration, or other visible structural concerns.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Engineering calculations, soil analysis, destructive testing, or opening finishes to inspect hidden framing.
Guaranteeing that no concealed structural issue exists outside the visible scope.

Heating

What the inspector should check

Installed heating equipment, normal operating controls, distribution systems that are accessible, and basic function under normal operating conditions.
Visible defects, missing components, or operational issues observed during the inspection.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Disassembling equipment, performing invasive internal testing, or certifying future performance.
Operating systems under unsafe conditions or beyond what the standards call for.

Cooling

What the inspector should check

Installed cooling equipment, normal controls, accessible distribution components, and visible system condition when operating conditions allow.
Functional concerns and visible defects that show up during a normal inspection.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Running cooling equipment when weather or system conditions make operation improper.
Disassembly, refrigerant analysis, or predicting future seasonal performance.

Plumbing

What the inspector should check

Interior water supply and drain/waste/vent components, fixtures, faucets, water heating equipment, and accessible fuel storage/distribution elements where applicable.
Leaks, poor drainage, visible corrosion, missing or damaged components, and other material defects.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Inspecting concealed or underground piping beyond visible scope, or guaranteeing future leak-free performance.
Water quality testing or plumbing code certification unless separately contracted.

Electrical

What the inspector should check

Service drop or lateral, service entrance conductors, panels, disconnects, visible branch wiring, installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles described in the standards.
Visible safety concerns and material defects in accessible components.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Tracing every conductor through the building, removing unsafe covers, or performing a full code audit.
Inspecting concealed electrical conditions behind finished surfaces.

Fireplace

What the inspector should check

Readily accessible solid-fuel and fireplace components identified in the standards, including visible firebox and hearth-related elements.
Visible defects or conditions that suggest unsafe operation or further specialist evaluation is needed.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Full chimney-sweep level inspection, concealed flue evaluation, or destructive examination of hidden chimney components.
Operating systems when doing so would be unsafe or outside normal inspection practice.

Attic, insulation, and ventilation

What the inspector should check

Accessible attic areas, visible insulation, and visible ventilation components that affect moisture control and thermal performance.
Conditions such as missing insulation, staining, moisture clues, blocked vents, or poor ventilation patterns that can be seen.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Confirming insulation levels in every concealed cavity or performing energy modeling.
Entering unsafe or inaccessible attic spaces.

Doors, windows, and interior

What the inspector should check

A representative number of doors and windows, floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, railings, countertops, cabinets, and other interior components described by the standards.
Visible damage, unsafe conditions, moisture staining, and notable functional concerns.

What the inspector is not expected to check

Moving furnishings, inspecting every cosmetic blemish, or treating the inspection like a final finish punch list.
Determining concealed causes for every crack, stain, or finish imperfection without further investigation.

General limits that apply across the standards

InterNACHI standards describe a visual, non-invasive inspection of readily accessible areas.
Inspectors are not expected to move belongings, dismantle systems, or identify every concealed defect.
The standards define the scope, but good reporting still depends on clear explanation and practical judgment.