Insulation, Ventilation and Inspection Business/Ethics
This domain covers insulation and ventilation observations plus the business and ethical duties that protect clients and the inspector’s independence. The exam tests what must be observed, what is excluded, and how conflicts of interest are handled.
Insulation and ventilation
Observe insulation in attics, crawlspaces, and unfinished spaces, and note vapor retarders where visible. Check attic and foundation ventilation, bath exhaust, dryer exhaust, and range hood termination. Inspectors are not required to determine R-value or insulation thickness. Bath fans and dryer vents should terminate outdoors, not into an attic or crawlspace.
Business and ethics
Use a written agreement before the inspection. Disclose conflicts of interest, keep reports confidential, and do not accept undisclosed referral fees. Report only observed conditions and recommended further evaluation; do not trade favorable findings for referrals.
Worked example
A roofing contractor offers $100 per inspection referral. The inspector declines and discloses no compensation. Reasoning: undisclosed compensation compromises independence and violates the ethical duty to the client.
Traps
Estimating R-value by sight; missing a bath fan that exhausts into the attic; sharing a report without client consent; accepting a concealed referral fee.