Your Home Analysis

Where this rubric comes from

We grade against three published standards. Each of the five factors below cites the specific clause it derives from, so any inspector reading your grade can see exactly which professional requirement we measured against.

• ASHI Standard of Practice→

  The American Society of Home Inspectors (1976) maintains the oldest professional standard. Its per-system “SHALL inspect / SHALL describe / SHALL report” structure (§3–§12) plus the §2.2.B written-report rules set the baseline of a competent inspection.

• InterNACHI Residential Standards of Practice→

  The largest membership body. Defines the binary “material defect” test we use: an issue that may have a significant adverse impact on value, or that poses an unreasonable risk to people.

• NHIE Content Outline 2023→

  The National Home Inspector Examination (EBPHI) is the licensing exam in roughly 30 states. Its weighted competency outline (70% field inspection, 20% reporting, 10% professional responsibility) tells us which systems a competent inspector is expected to cover and how heavily each one counts.

What each grade means

• A+ / AExceeds the standards — uses optional advanced tools (thermal imaging, moisture meters, gas detection), photos every material defect, every required system addressed in depth.
• BMeets the ASHI / InterNACHI baseline — all ten required systems addressed, SHALL-test items performed (GFCI/AFCI buttons, HVAC normal-operating controls, running fixtures), deficiencies clearly described.
• CMeets most of the standard but missing one or two SHALL-inspect items (e.g. attic skipped without a stated reason, GFCI buttons not exercised).
• DBelow standard — multiple required systems skipped, thin written descriptions of deficiencies.
• FUnacceptable — major required systems not inspected.

An inspector who hits every SHALL requirement in ASHI is at minimum a B. Optional advanced tools and exceptional thoroughness move them toward A+.

The five factors

Each report is scored on these five factors. The overall grade is a holistic judgment that reflects them. The per-factor evidence shown above your report card tells you exactly which observation drove each factor's grade.

• Coverage
  Which of the ten ASHI/InterNACHI required systems were addressed: structural, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, interior, insulation/ventilation, and fireplaces. An inspector who explicitly states their limitations (“attic access was sealed, not inspected”) earns credit — ASHI §2.2.B.4 treats limitation disclosure as a professional act, not a failure.
  A example: Every required system addressed; any skipped item explicitly explained.
  F example: Multiple required systems silently skipped with no mention.
• Depth & testing
  Testing actually performed against the floor set by ASHI §3–§12 (“SHALL inspect / SHALL operate using normal operating controls”): GFCI/AFCI buttons where accessible, HVAC on normal controls, running plumbing fixtures, opening damper doors, opening readily-openable access panels. Advanced tools (thermal imaging, moisture meters, CO meters) are differentiators above the baseline — not requirements. An inspector who performs every SHALL-test item earns a B even without specialized tools.
  A example: All SHALL-test items performed plus thermal imaging or moisture metering.
  F example: Systemic failure to perform required tests — e.g. HVAC never operated.
• Photo evidence
  Photos on findings of moderate-or-higher severity. Neither ASHI §2.2.B nor InterNACHI requires photos — both require a “written report.” Photos are adopted best practice for material defects but are not a baseline standard, so we grade by coverage of moderate-and-above findings, not blanket photo count.
  A example: Photos on every material defect; minor items may be text-only.
  F example: No photos on any finding, including significant defects.
• Specificity
  Per ASHI §2.2.B.3, the report must contain “reasoning or explanation as to the nature of the deficiencies that are not self-evident.” We grade on precise locations (room, wall, elevation), clear distinction between safety / repair / informational items (InterNACHI's binary material-defect test), and clarity of recommended next steps (correct, monitor, further evaluation per ASHI §2.2.B.2).
  A example: Findings name the exact room and component with a clear recommendation.
  F example: Vague phrasing like “some issues observed” without locations.
• Documentation
  Items the inspector is the source of truth for: inspection date, inspector contact + license / certification, report scope and stated limitations (ASHI §2.2.B.4 + NHIE Domain 2 Task 2), and appliance ages / model numbers (NHIE Domain 1 Tasks 5–10). We do not grade on year built or square footage — those come from county or MLS records, not the inspection.
  A example: License visible, inspection date set, every appliance with make / model / age.
  F example: No inspector license, no appliance ages, no stated scope or limitations.

What we don't grade

• Repair-cost estimates. Pricing is a contractor's job. ASHI §13.2.A.5 and InterNACHI both exclude cost determination from inspector duty.
• Code compliance. Explicitly outside an inspector's scope per ASHI §13.2.A.8. We may flag visible code-relevant issues but do not grade inspectors on code coverage.
• Solar, geothermal, and wind systems. Outside required inspection scope per ASHI §7.2.A.5 and §8.2.A.5. An inspector who does not cover solar is not penalized.
• The inspector's personality, communication style, or punctuality. Not part of the deliverable.
• How serious the findings are. That's described separately on each issue, not in the report-card grade.

Why we grade at all

A well-documented report makes it easier to know what to trust, what to follow up on, and what to skip. A grade gives you a shorthand for that — and helps agents recommend better inspectors next time. Because we anchor every factor to a published standard, the grade is something an inspector can engage with on professional terms.