Updates to Texas Home Inspectors

To ensure that you are aware of the condition of the property that you are buying, it is highly recommended that each buyer hire a licensed professional Home Inspector to inspect their home before completing their purchase. 

In the State of Texas, you must be licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) to be a Home Inspector.  TREC regulates the Standards of Practice and the Inspection Report that Home Inspectors must use while conducting a home inspection. 

Effective February 1, 2022 updates to the Standards of Practice (SOP) have been implemented along with changes to the standard Inspection Report. 

Changes to the general provisions now:

• Require an inspector to use reasonable and appropriate tools necessary to satisfy the requirements of the SOPs;
• Specify that an inspector that provides any services in relation to a real estate inspection beyond the scope of the SOPs must be component to do so; and
• Prohibit an inspector from performing an inspection when the inspector routinely departs from inspecting a system or component, until the inspector notifies the client of that departure.

The SOPs also clarify requirements for specific components and systems, including:

• Specifying how an inspector reports deficiencies in 125-volt receptacles and 250-volt receptacles;
• Specifying how an inspector determines if a cooling system is operational;
• Requiring an inspector report the visible material used for water supply, drain, and gas lines;
• Requiring an inspector to report water pressure exceeding 80 PSI;
• Providing a single location under the plumbing section regarding issues and
• Requirements relating to inspecting the gas distribution system while also maintaining the requirements for reporting issues relating to specific gas components and appliances;
• Adding a definition of “gas distribution system” to provide additional clarity; and
• Adding the option to inspect “built-in appliances” under the optional systems.

The Inspection Report Form has also been updated to reflect these changes and was adopted under the new form number REI 7-6.

Thinking of buying a home and don’t know where to find the right home inspector?  Don’t worry, we have you covered.  When representing you to buy your new home, we have reputable home inspectors that we work with, know, and trust to recommend.