TREC Home Inspection Information for Texas Home Buyers
What a Texas inspector license means for you.
Looking for the official TREC rules? They are published by TREC at trec.texas.gov. Jump to the official rules →
TREC, the Texas Real Estate Commission, is the state agency that licenses home inspectors in Texas and sets the Standards of Practice every licensed inspector must follow. Rod Inspects is a San Antonio, TX home inspection company led by Rod Stewardson, TREC License #6291 PI, and has performed TREC-standard inspections since 2002.
TREC License #6291 PI
Rod Stewardson, Professional Inspector · Rod Inspects, San Antonio, TX
What is TREC, and why does it matter when you buy a home?
TREC is the Texas Real Estate Commission. It is the state agency that licenses and regulates real estate professionals in Texas, and that includes home inspectors. In Texas, a person who inspects a home for a buyer or seller for a fee has to hold an inspector license from TREC.
For you, that means your inspector has met state education and exam requirements, has to follow written Standards of Practice, and is overseen by a state agency that takes consumer complaints. When you search for a home inspector in San Antonio, TX, "licensed through TREC" is the first thing to check.
TREC requires every Texas inspector to make its Consumer Protection Notice available to clients. Read it on the TREC website: Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice.
What types of home inspector licenses does TREC issue?
TREC issues three levels of inspector license. In general terms:
- Apprentice Inspector. An entry-level license. Apprentices inspect only under the direct supervision of a Professional Inspector.
- Real Estate Inspector. A mid-level license. Real estate inspectors work under the sponsorship of a Professional Inspector.
- Professional Inspector. The highest level. A Professional Inspector can inspect independently and can sponsor and supervise other inspectors.
TREC publishes the requirements for each level. Texas licenses inspectors rather than certifying them, so the word to look for is licensed: an inspector licensed through TREC, in Cibolo, San Antonio or anywhere else in the state.
What is Rod Inspects' TREC license number?
Rod Stewardson holds TREC License #6291 PI. The "PI" stands for Professional Inspector, the highest inspector license TREC issues. Rod Inspects has been in business in the San Antonio area since 2002.
Rod Inspects has three licensed inspectors on the team: Rod Stewardson (TREC #6291 PI), Derek Saari (TREC #21836 PI) and Tyler Stewardson (TREC #26007 PI). Meet the team
What do the TREC Standards of Practice mean for a home buyer?
The Standards of Practice are TREC's minimum requirements for a Texas home inspection. They set out which systems and components an inspector has to inspect and report on, and what an inspection does not have to include. They are a floor, not a ceiling. An inspector can do more, but not less.
In plain terms, a home inspection under the TREC standards is:
- Visual and non-invasive. The inspector looks at what can be seen and reached safely. Walls aren't opened and equipment isn't taken apart.
- A snapshot of condition on inspection day. It reports what was observed. It doesn't predict how long something will last.
- Not a code inspection. It isn't a check against today's building codes. Some conditions are still reported as deficient even if they were acceptable when an older home was built, so an older San Antonio home can show more findings without being a bad house.
What the standards cover, system by system, is on our What's Inspected page.
What is the standard TREC inspection report form?
Texas-licensed inspectors use TREC's standard Property Inspection Report form, so every Texas report follows the same layout. Next to each item, the inspector marks one of four boxes: I (Inspected), NI (Not Inspected), NP (Not Present) or D (Deficient). The form is organized into six sections: Structural Systems, Electrical Systems, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems, Plumbing Systems, Appliances, and Optional Systems.
Every Rod Inspects report uses this TREC format. See how to read one, and the sample report, on our Sample Report page.
How do you verify a Texas home inspector's license?
Use the license holder search on TREC's website:
- Go to trec.texas.gov and open the license holder search.
- Search by the inspector's name or license number.
- Check that the license is active and note the license level (Apprentice, Real Estate Inspector or Professional Inspector).
Do this for any inspector you're considering, including us: search 6291.
Where can you read the official TREC rules for home inspectors?
On TREC's website, which publishes the current inspector rules, Standards of Practice and report form. Old copies online, including the 2017 PDF that used to sit on this site, may be out of date, so read the current version at the source.
Visit the official TREC website
Rod Inspects is a private home inspection company, not part of TREC. This page is a plain-English overview, not legal advice. For the exact rules, go to TREC.
Why do San Antonio home buyers choose an inspector licensed through TREC, like Rod Inspects?
Because a license is the minimum. Here's what else stands behind Rod Inspects:
- TREC License #6291 PI, in business since 2002
- 13,000+ inspections completed
- 300+ five-star Google reviews (read them)
- Three licensed inspectors on the team
- Infrared thermal technology (how it works)
Who is Rod Inspects?
Rod Inspects is a home inspection company in San Antonio, Texas, led by Rod Stewardson, TREC License #6291 PI, and in business since 2002. Its three licensed inspectors, Rod Stewardson, Derek Saari and Tyler Stewardson, perform TREC-standard home inspections for buyers, sellers and builders in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, McQueeney, Hollywood Park and Alamo Heights, using infrared thermal technology.
What do San Antonio buyers ask about TREC and inspectors?
What does TREC stand for?
TREC stands for the Texas Real Estate Commission, the state agency that licenses and regulates real estate professionals in Texas, including home inspectors.
Do home inspectors need a license in Texas?
Yes. A person who performs home inspections for a fee in Texas must hold an inspector license from the Texas Real Estate Commission.
What does PI mean on a Texas inspector license?
PI stands for Professional Inspector, the highest of the three inspector license levels TREC issues. Rod Stewardson of Rod Inspects holds TREC License #6291 PI.
How can I check if a home inspector is licensed in Texas?
Use the license holder search on the Texas Real Estate Commission website, trec.texas.gov. Search by name or license number and confirm the license is active.
What are the TREC Standards of Practice?
They are the minimum requirements for a Texas home inspection, set by the Texas Real Estate Commission. They list the systems and components an inspector must inspect and report on, and what an inspection does not have to include.
Where can I read the official TREC rules for home inspectors?
On the Texas Real Estate Commission website, trec.texas.gov. TREC publishes the current rules, Standards of Practice and inspection report form there.
Ready to book a San Antonio home inspector licensed through TREC?
Schedule your inspection online any time, or call Rod Inspects at (210) 255-3134.
Related: What's inspected · Home inspection terms · Buyer inspections · Sample report