LOCAL RULES

Illinois home inspection report requirements

Your Illinois home inspection report has 11 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The report to the client within 2 business days
  • How the crawl space or basement, attic and roof were inspected
  • The shut-off valve and water service entry locations, water heater type and capacity
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Illinois licenses home inspectors under the Home Inspector License Act, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's rules, 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410, set what every report must contain and when it is due: within 2 business days, signed, with the license number and its expiration date, the names and license numbers of everyone who took part, the start time and the weather. Here is each rule with a link to the official text, and how field notes become an Illinois report.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Home inspectionILLINOIS / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 149 words

Client: Dana Whitfield
Inspector: Sam Ortega
Date: October 3, 2026
1408 Larkspur Lane, Springfield, IL
Weather: clear, 74F. Occupied. Built 1987.
...
FREE PREVIEW OF THESE NOTES
65%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 14 items into 8 sections and flagged 4 to fix first.

  • Fix firstElectrical

    Main panel has a double tapped breaker and an open splice in the attic junction box.

  • Fix firstElectrical

    No GFCI protection at the kitchen counter outlets.

  • Fix firstGarage

    Garage door opener did not reverse when it hit the test board.

11 Illinois rules on your checklist, including the report to the client within 2 business days.

Still to add

  • Illinois lawOn-site inspection start time
  • Illinois lawIllinois home inspector license number
  • Illinois lawLicense expiration date

Filled in for you

Client nameDana Whitfield
Property address1408 Larkspur Lane, Springfield, IL
Inspection dateOct 3, 2026
Home inspector's nameSam Ortega
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What Illinois requires

  • The written home inspection report, which may be electronic, goes to the client or the client's authorized representative within 2 business days after the inspection68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (e)
  • The report carries the written or electronic signature of the home inspector who conducted the inspection68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (e) (1)
  • The report gives the signing inspector's name and license number, and the names and license numbers of every home inspector who took part in the inspection or contributed to the report68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.250 (b) · 225 ILCS 441/15-10
  • The report gives the expiration date of the inspector's license225 ILCS 441/15-10 (17) · 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.250 (b)
  • The report gives the on-site inspection beginning time and the weather at the time of the inspection68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (e) (3)
  • The weather at the time of the inspection is on the report68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (e) (3)
  • Systems and components designated for inspection that were present but not inspected are disclosed, with the reason, such as an obstruction or condition that prevented it68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (e) (5) (C)
  • Systems and components that are significantly deficient (unsafe or not functioning) are described, with the reason they are deficient68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (e) (5) (A), (b) (20)
  • Each reported deficiency says whether it should be corrected or monitored68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (e) (5) (B)
  • The report describes the foundation and its construction type and reports the methods used to inspect the crawl space or basement, attic, floor, wall, ceiling, framing and roof, and describes the roof covering68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (g) (2), (i) (2)
  • The report gives the location of the main water and main shut-off valves and the water service entry, the water distribution piping materials, the type and capacity of the water heating equipment, and leaks68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (j) (2)
  • The report describes the service's amperage and voltage rating, the location of the main disconnects and subpanels and the wiring methods, reports solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring, and reports any non-compliance with the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act and the Smoke Detector Act68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (k) (2) to (4)
  • The report notes visible signs of water and moisture penetration or condensation, and any infestation that significantly affects the structure or integrity of the home68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (g) (3), (4), (n) (2)
  • Before the inspection, the inspector and the client sign a written contract with the purpose and date of the inspection, the inspectors' names, address and license numbers, the fee, a statement that the Standards of Practice will be followed, the systems to be inspected, and the limitations and exclusions68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.200 (d)
  • The report goes only to the client unless the client consents in writing; results are not sent to third parties such as attorneys or others in the transaction without written consent, which is kept with the records225 ILCS 441/15-10 · 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.250 (g)
  • The contract, the report, any supplemental reports and supporting data are kept in a sequential record for 5 years after the inspection, or 2 years after the final disposition of any related court case if longer68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410.240

Due in 2 business days, signed

The written report, which may be electronic, goes to the client or the client's authorized representative within 2 business days after the inspection. It carries the written or electronic signature of the inspector who did the inspection.

It gives your name, license number and the license's expiration date, the names and license numbers of all home inspectors who took part or contributed, the on-site start time, and the weather at the time.

Deficiencies and what was not inspected

The report describes the condition of the systems and components inspected. For anything significantly deficient, meaning unsafe or not functioning, it gives the reason and says whether it should be corrected or monitored.

Systems and components designated for inspection that were present but not inspected are disclosed with the reason, such as an obstruction or a condition that prevented it.

System by system

Describe the foundation and its construction type, and report the methods used to inspect the crawl space or basement, attic, framing and roof. Describe the roof covering.

For plumbing, report where the main water and main shut-off valves and the water service entry are, the distribution piping materials, the water heater's type and capacity, and leaks. For electrical, describe the service's amperage and voltage rating, where the main disconnect and subpanels are, and the wiring methods; report solid conductor aluminum branch wiring and any non-compliance with the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act and the Smoke Detector Act.

Report visible signs of water or moisture penetration and any infestation that significantly affects the structure.

Contract, confidentiality and records

Before the inspection, you and the client sign a written contract covering the purpose and date, the inspectors' names, address and license numbers, the fee, a statement that the Standards of Practice will be followed, the systems to be inspected, and the limitations and exclusions.

The report goes only to the client unless the client consents in writing. Keep the contract, the report and supporting data in a sequential record for 5 years, or 2 years after any related court case ends if that is longer.

From field notes to a finished Illinois report

Note the start time, the weather, how you inspected the roof, attic and crawl space or basement, the panel details and where the shut-offs are. ReportDraft fills your license number and its expiration date from your account, puts the shut-off and water service entry locations in their own item, reports missing smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, and gives each deficiency a reason and a correct-or-monitor recommendation.

Common mistakes

  • Sending the report later than 2 business days after the inspection.
  • Leaving off the license expiration date, or another inspector who took part.
  • Not reporting how the roof, attic and crawl space or basement were inspected.
  • Calling something deficient without the reason, or without saying whether to correct or monitor it.
  • Sending results to a real estate agent or attorney without the client's written consent.

Sources

Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Next review due January 10, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.