Home Inspection Standards of Practice (CAHPI Standards of Practice / CSA A770)
Why the Standard Is the First Thing to Learn
The Standards of Practice are the contractual and professional backbone of every inspection. They define the scope of the inspection, the systems and components that must be inspected, the methods of inspection, the limits and exclusions, and the reporting obligations. A candidate must be able to recite, at a conceptual level, what is included and what is excluded for each system: structural, exterior, roofing, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical, interior, insulation and ventilation, and fireplaces and solid-fuel appliances.
Core Concepts to Master
Understand the difference between a visual, non-invasive inspection and a technically exhaustive investigation. The standard requires the inspector to observe readily accessible systems and components, describe them, and report material defects observed. It does not require dismantling, moving stored goods, or predicting future performance. Learn the meaning of readily accessible, material defect, normal operating controls, and representative number of items to sample.
Traps in Questions
The most common trap is a question that asks what an inspector should do when a condition is hidden or unsafe. The answer is almost always to report the limitation, not to force access. Another trap is confusing a recommendation for further evaluation with a code-compliance determination; inspectors are not code officials. Watch for wording that implies an inspector must verify adequacy, capacity, or remaining life; the standard typically requires description and defect reporting, not engineering analysis.
Worked Rule of Thumb
If a question describes a condition that is concealed, unsafe to access, or outside the scope, the correct answer is: describe the limitation in the report and recommend evaluation by a qualified specialist. Example: a roof covering is visible but the attic is inaccessible; report the roof condition observed and state that the attic and roof structure were not inspected.