The Home Detective - established 1996

 The list below incorporates the majority of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware Standards of Practice for a single-family home inspection. 

There's no licensing of home inspectors or standards of practice in the District of Columbia.  We adhere to the Maryland SoP's for all DC inspections

Our inspection standards are adjusted to meet the the specific requirements of each state. 

Grounds

Driveway, walkways, steps, stoops, handrails

Retaining walls

Patios and porches

Grading and surface drainage

Vegetation if  it adversely affect the building

Exterior
Exterior wall covering, flashing, and trim
All exterior doors
Attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings
Eaves, soffits, and fascias that are accessible from the ground level

Structural System

Foundation walls and framing

Basement slab and sump pump systems
Crawl space, vapor retarders and ventilation
Floor structure,  wall structure, ceiling structure; and roof structure

Roof Covering
We walk roofs to inspect them (when it's safe to do so)

Flashing, skylights, attic vents, plumbing vents

Gutters and roof drainage systems

Chimney and Fireplaces
Chimney walls, crowns, flashing, cove
Fuel-burning fireplaces, dampers and inserts

Plumbing

The visible portion of the water main

Interior water supply and distribution systems, including all fixtures, faucets and toilets

Drain, waste, and vent systems, including all fixtures

Water heating equipment

Vent systems, flues, and chimneys

Fuel storage and fuel distribution systems

Evaluate for the presence of CSST

Drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping;.

The service drop, service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways

Service equipment and main disconnects, grounding, interior components of service panels and sub-panels, conductors, over-current protection devices

Lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles

Exterior lights and receptacles

Heating

Installed heating equipment, fan, motor, filter, evaporative coil (when visible)

Vent systems, flues, and chimneys

Heating distribution

Controls, humidifiers

Cooling

Central and permanently installed cooling equipment

Distribution system

Condensate disposal

Controls

Interior
 Walls, ceilings, and floors

Steps, stairways, and railings

Counter tops and cabinets

Doors and windows

Skylights

Attic

Access, ladder

Framing, roof sheathing

Fans and ventilation systems

Insulation

Bathrooms

Sinks, faucets, toilets, tubs, showers

Heating/ventilation

Kitchen

Counter tops, cabinets, appliances

Ventilation systems

Food disposal

Garage

Entry door to garage

Floor, walls, ceiling, windows

Electrical receptacles/lights

Vehicle door, photo-electric sensors, auto-rebound function and safety wires

Maryland Department of Licensing           www.dllr.state.md.us/license/reahi
Virginia Department of Licensing              www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/ALHI
Delaware Department of Licensing            www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/homeinspector
​