Home Buyer Inspection Details
A Standard Home Inspection covers:
A general home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property (as delineated below), performed for a fee, which is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components defined by the standards below that are both observed and deemed material by our inspector.
The general home inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions. The general home inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.
A material defect is a specific issue with a system or component of a residential property that may have a significant, adverse impact on the value of the property, or that poses an unreasonable risk to people. The fact that a system or component is near, at, or beyond the end of its normal, useful life is not, in itself, a material defect.
A general home inspection report shall identify, in written format, defects within specific systems and components defined by the standards below that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector and may include additional comments and recommendations.
Important Limitations about Home Inspections
- An inspection is not technically exhaustive.
- An inspection will not identify concealed or latent defects.
- An inspection will not deal with aesthetics or what could be deemed matters of taste, cosmetic defects, etc.
- An inspection will not determine the suitability of the property for any use.
- An inspection does not determine the market value of the property or its marketability.
- An inspection does not determine the insurability of the property.
- An inspection does not determine the advisability or inadvisability of the purchase of the inspected property.
- An inspection does not determine the life expectancy of the property or any components or systems therein.
- An inspection does not include items not permanently installed.
- This Standards of Practice applies to properties with four or fewer residential units and their attached garages and carports
- Find the full breakdown of limitations here.
General Inspection Criteria
- We will inspect readily accessible, visually observable, installed systems and components listed in this Standard.
- We will provide the client with a written report, using a format and medium selected by the inspector, that states:
- Those systems and components inspected that, in the professional judgment of the inspector, are not functioning properly, significantly deficient, unsafe, or are near the end of their service lives
- Recommendations to correct, or monitor for future correction, the deficiencies reported, or items needing further evaluation (we will NOT determine methods, materials, or costs of corrections.)
- Reasoning or explanation as to the nature of the deficiencies reported in that are not self-evident
- Those systems and components designated for inspection that were present at the time of the home inspection but were not inspected and the reason(s) they were not inspected.
- We will adhere to the InterNACHI and ASHI® Code of Ethics for the Home Inspection Profession.