FABI Standards of Practice

Today’s PHW Inspections Topic: What standards does PHW Inspections follow?

PHW Inspections performs home inspections under the Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI) Standards of Practice, and in accordance with Florida licensing requirements for home inspectors. Tim Bausch holds Florida license HI 12698 and is a FABI Certified Inspector serving Southwest Florida.

A Standards of Practice (SoP) is the written scope that defines what a home inspection includes—and what it does not. It keeps the inspection consistent, transparent, and fair to buyers, sellers, and agents. Insight for smarter investments starts with clear expectations.

What the FABI Standards mean for your inspection

In plain terms, a FABI-based residential inspection is a visual, non-invasive examination of readily accessible systems and components on the date of the inspection. The written report documents observed material defects within the scope of the Standards. It is not a code compliance certificate, an insurance appraisal, a warranty, or a prediction of future performance.

• Roof, exterior, structure/foundation, attic/insulation/ventilation
• Plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling
• Interior, doors and windows, and other systems covered by the SoP when accessible

For the official, current FABI Standards of Practice, read them here: https://fabi.org/Standards.

What a home inspection is not

Even a thorough inspection has limits. Typical SoP limitations include (and are not limited to):

• Areas that are inaccessible, unsafe, or blocked from view
• Concealed or latent conditions behind finishes or underground
• Technically exhaustive testing, engineering analysis, or repair cost guarantees
• Environmental testing (mold air quality, radon, asbestos, etc.) unless separately arranged

Related reading: Limitations of a Home Inspector and Concealed Defects.

Why FABI for Southwest Florida

FABI is a Florida-focused association for building inspectors. PHW Inspections uses the FABI Standards so local clients know the rules of the inspection before we arrive—whether you are buying in Venice, North Port, Wellen Park, Sarasota, Englewood, Nokomis, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Bradenton, or nearby communities.

Other national associations publish their own standards. Those can be useful industry references, but they are not the Standards PHW Inspections follows. If you are comparing inspectors, ask which SoP they use and confirm their Florida license number.

Schedule with confidence

Questions about scope before your appointment? Call 941-468-0174 or use Schedule on this site. PHW Inspections provides residential, new-build, pre-drywall, 1-year warranty, wind mitigation, and 4-point inspections across Southwest Florida.