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Certification Home Inspection Report Home Inspection Services Home Inspector Portland Home Inspection

What Are The Contract And Report Standards For Oregon Home Inspectors?

check-it-out-home-inspections_What Are The Contracts And Report Standards For Oregon Home Inspectors

 

Check It Out Home Inspection Is Licensed In Oregon and Washington

Check it Out Home Inspection is licensed in two states; Oregon and Washington. We are located in Portland, Oregon and provide home inspections in the Greater Portland area and SW Washington. As an Oregon Licensed Home Inspector, we are required to apply for our certification through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).

This is the state board that defines the Standards of Practice for Oregon Home Inspectors. The rules they have established are archived in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Database. OAR is an official compilation of rules and regulations having the force of law in the State of Oregon. The rules set by the Construction Contractor Board are in Chapter 812. OAR 812-008-0202 through 812-008-0214 are the set of rules which set forth the minimum standards of practice required by Oregon certified home inspectors.

Home Inspector Standards of Practice: Contracts and Reports

Below is a copy of OAR 812-008-0202 Contracts and Reports and establishes a standard of practice for all Oregon home inspectors.

(1) Home inspections undertaken according to Division 8 shall be based solely on the property conditions, as observed at the time of the home inspection.

(2) Oregon certified home inspectors shall:

(a) Provide a written inspection contract, signed by both the Oregon certified home inspector and client, prior to completing a home inspection that shall:

(A) State that the home inspection is in accordance with standards and practices set forth in division 8 of OAR chapter 812;

(B) Describe the services provided and their cost;

(C) State where the planned inspection differs from the standard home inspection categories as set forth in OAR 812-008-0205 through 812-008-0214; and

(D) Conspicuously state whether the home inspection includes a wood-destroying organism inspection and if such inspection is available for a fee.

(E) For the purpose of this rule, a home inspection shall be deemed completed when the initial written inspection report is delivered.

(b) Observe readily visible and accessible installed systems and components listed as part of a home inspection as defined by these rules unless excluded pursuant to these rules in OAR 812-008-0200 through 812-008-0214; and

(c) Submit a written report to the client that shall:

(A) Describe those systems and components as set forth in OAR 812-008-0205 through 812-008-0214;

(B) Record in the report each item listed in OAR 812-008-0205 through 812-008-0214 and indicate whether or not the property inspected was satisfactory with regard to each item of inspection; it will not be sufficient to satisfy subsection (2)(c) of this rule that the certified home inspector prepare a report listing only deficiencies;

(C) State whether any inspected systems or components do not function as intended, allowing for normal wear and tear; and how, if at all, the habitability of the dwelling is affected;

(D) State the inspector’s recommendation to monitor, evaluate, repair, replace or other appropriate action;

(E) State the Construction Contractors Board license number of the business and the name, certification number, and signature of the person undertaking the inspection; and

(F) Include on the first page of the contract and on the first page of the report, in bold-faced, capitalized type and in at least 12 point font, the following statement:

“THIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE PERSON PURCHASING THE HOME INSPECTION SERVICES. NO OTHER PERSON, INCLUDING A PURCHASER OF THE INSPECTED PROPERTY WHO DID NOT PURCHASE THE HOME INSPECTION SERVICES, MAY RELY UPON ANY REPRESENTATION MADE IN THE REPORT.”

(d) Submit to each customer, at the time the contract is signed, a copy of “Home Inspection Consumer Notice.”

(3) Division 8 does not limit Oregon certified home inspectors from reporting observations and conditions or rendering opinions of items in addition to those required in Division 8.

(4) All written reports, bids, contracts, and an individual’s business cards shall include the Oregon certified home inspector’s certification number.

What Do Check It Out Home Inspection Reports Look Like?

At Check it Out, your Home Inspection Report includes easy to read details on:

        The condition of every major component of your home, from the roof to the basement. This includes, but is not limited to, the grounds, roof, exterior, garage, electrical, plumbing, kitchen, bathrooms, living spaces, and outbuildings.

        Evaluation and description of the manually tested working order of all operable systems, i.e. windows, doors, faucets and sinks, heating and a/c systems, etc.

        A summary page that helps to prioritize items of concern such as major defects, deferred cost items (things that may need replacing/repairing within 5 years), safety issues, potential improvements, and items to monitor.

Button to click for sample home inspection report

About Check It Out Home Inspection

I started Check It Out Home Inspection to apply my 15 years of carpentry experience to home inspections. I worked in both new construction and remodeling, so I know houses inside and out — framing, foundations, plumbing, electrical, windows & doors, HVAC, you name it. I am proud to serve the entire Portland metropolitan area as well as the southwestern Washington/Vancouver area.

Full-Service Home Inspection Services

At Check It Out Home Inspection Services, we offer all the home inspection services you would expect, for example electrical, plumbing, roof, structure, interior, exterior, garage, and grounds, etc. (Go to the Check it Out Home Inspection homepage for a full list of home inspection services). We also offer One-Stop Shopping Home Inspection Services so you can schedule sewer scoping, radon testing, and oil tank searches 24/7 with a single click or call.

Click button to call and schedule home inspection servicesClick button to schedule home inspection online

 

Categories
Home Inspection Services Home Inspector Portland Home Inspection

What Are The Standards Of Behavior For Portland Home Inspectors?

check-it-out-home-inspections-What Are The Standards Of Behavior For Portland Home Inspectors

Oregon Home Inspectors Are Held To High Standards

Portland home inspectors, and in fact all Oregon home inspectors, are expected to know and keep for their records the Home Inspector Standards of Behavior and Standards of Practice. This list of standards is attached to each Home Inspector Application Packet provided by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). The CCB is the state organization that certifies Oregon Home Inspectors.

In Oregon, when you apply for your home inspector license, you are required to know the standards of behavior and standards of practice. Also required is passing the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE). Twelve percent of the national exam is focused on professional behavior, testing a home inspector’s understanding of the purpose of an inspection contract and clarifying the client’s rights as well as the home inspector’s rights. This part of the test also addresses an inspector’s ethical and legal responsibilities.

What Are Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR)?

According to Wikipedia, “Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) is the official compilation of rules and regulations having the force of law in the U.S. state of Oregon.” This is where we find Oregon’s Home Inspector Standards of Behavior (OAR 812-008-0201). There are four main sections to the Standards of Behavior. Below is a listing of all four sections.

(1) An Oregon certified home inspector shall not:

(a) Engage in dishonest or fraudulent conduct or undertake activities that are injurious to the welfare of the public, which result in injury or damage to another person.

(b) Disclose any information about the results of an inspection without the approval of the client for whom the inspection was undertaken.

(c) Accept compensation or any other consideration from more than one interested party for the same service without the consent of all interested parties.

(d) Directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other parties having a financial interest in closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers or similar arrangements. This paragraph is not intended to prohibit any discount, credit or add-on service made directly to an inspector’s client.

(e) Accept financial or other consideration, such as material or equipment, from suppliers for suggesting the use of, or promoting a specific product in the course of performing an inspection.

(f) Accept compensation, directly or indirectly, for recommending contractors, services, or products to inspection clients or other parties having an interest in inspected properties.

(g) Inspect properties under contingent arrangements whereby any compensation or future referrals are dependent on reported findings or on the sale of a property.

(h) Express, within the context of an inspection, an appraisal or opinion of the market value of the inspected property.

(i) Allow his or her interest in any business to affect the quality or results of inspection work that an Oregon certified home inspector may be called upon to undertake.

(j) Misrepresent any matters to the public.

(2) Opinions expressed by Oregon certified home inspectors shall only be based on their education, experience, and physical evidence observed by the inspector.

(3) Before the execution of a contract to undertake a home inspection, an Oregon certified home inspector shall disclose to the client any interest in a business that may affect the client.

(4) Nothing in OAR 812-008-0201 shall prohibit a business offering home inspection services from advertising services or for the purpose of recruiting employees and personnel. All such advertisements shall not be misleading or deceptive. A business shall not advertise home inspection services unless the business is properly licensed.

About Check It Out Home Inspection

I started Check It Out Home Inspection to apply my 15 years of carpentry experience to home inspections. I worked in both new construction and remodeling, so I know houses inside and out — framing, foundations, plumbing, electrical, windows & doors, HVAC, you name it. I am proud to serve the entire Portland metropolitan area as well as the southwestern Washington/Vancouver area.

Full-Service Home Inspection Services

At Check It Out Home Inspection Services, we offer all the home inspection services you would expect, for example electrical, plumbing, roof, structure, interior, exterior, garage, and grounds, etc. (Go to the Check it Out Home Inspection homepage for a full list of home inspection services). We also offer One-Stop Shopping Home Inspection Services so you can schedule sewer scoping, radon testing, and oil tank searches 24/7 with a single click or call.

 

Click button to call and schedule home inspection servicesClick button to schedule home inspection online

 

Categories
Certification Home Inspection Services Home Inspector Portland Home Inspection

Do All Portland Home Inspectors Take The NHIE?

check-it-out-home-inspections_Do All Portland Home Inspectors Take The NHIE

The National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) ensures a consistent competency in Home Inspection. Home Inspection services in Oregon are regulated by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. To become a certified home inspector in the State of Oregon, one of the requirements is to pass the NHIE.

WHAT DOES THE EXAM INCLUDE?

Building Science takes up 64% of the test, while Analysis and Reporting take up 24% of the test, leaving Professional Responsibilities with the remaining 12%. We go into further detail of each domain below.

Building Science in the Home Inspector Exam

This part of the exam measures a home inspector’s ability to examine a site. This includes evaluating conditions, operability, materials, and installation practices of systems. These systems can include Electrical, Plumbing, Roof, Structure, Interior, Exterior, HVAC, Garage, and Grounds. This is the bulk of the test as this is the primary service a home inspector provides.

Analysis and Reporting in the Home Inspector Exam

Although this domain is smaller than Building Science it is still almost a quarter of the entire exam. This part measures a Home Inspector’s ability to create a home inspection report. These reports include the building systems examined, the methods used during each examination, an analysis of systems that are not performing well, and recommendations for any actions recommended to correct problems.

Professional Responsibilities Tested in The Home Inspection Exam

Although only 12 percent of the NHIE covers professional responsibilities, it is a critical component to the home inspection industry. This will test a home inspector’s understanding of the purpose of an inspection contract and clarifying the client’s rights as well as the home inspector’s rights. This part of the test also addresses an inspector’s ethical and legal responsibilities.

The key point for this part of the exam is to remind all home inspectors of the high standards we hold for quality, integrity, and objectivity. The home inspector standards of behavior and standards of practice are so integral to the State of Oregon that they are listed in the Home Inspector Application Packet.

Full-Service Home Inspection Services

At Check It Out Home Inspection Services, we offer all the home inspection services you would expect, for example electrical, plumbing, roof, structure, interior, exterior, garage, and grounds, etc. (Go to the Check it Out Home Inspection homepage for a full list of home inspection services). We also offer One-Stop Shopping Home Inspection Services so you can schedule sewer scoping, radon testing, and oil tank searches 24/7 with a single click or call.

About Check It Out Home Inspection

I started Check It Out Home Inspection to apply my 15 years of carpentry experience to home inspections. I worked in both new construction and remodeling, so I know houses inside and out — framing, foundations, plumbing, electrical, windows & doors, HVAC, you name it. I am proud to serve the entire Portland metropolitan area as well as the southwestern Washington/Vancouver area.

I look forward to meeting you at the inspection! -Karen

 

Click button to call and schedule home inspection servicesClick button to schedule home inspection online