A home inspection is defined as an objective visual examination of
physical structure and systems of a home, from roof to foundation. In layman’s terms, having a home inspected is akin to giving it a physical check-up. If problems or symptoms are found, inspector may recommend further evaluation.
As a home buyer/seller or real estate professional, you have a right to know exactly what a typical real estate inspection is. The following information should give you a better understanding of exactly what your inspector should (and should not) do for you during course of a home inspection.
First and foremost, an inspection is a visual survey of those easily accessible areas that an inspector can clearly see. No destructive testing or dismantling is done during course of an inspection, hence an inspector can only tell a client exactly what was clearly in evidence at time and date of inspection. The inspectors eyes are not any better than buyers, except that inspector is trained to look for specific tell-tale signs and clues that may lead to discovery of actual or potential defects or deficiencies.
Inspectors base their inspections on current industry standards provided to them by their professional societies. These Standards tell what inspector will and can do, as well as what inspector will not do. Many inspectors give a copy of standards to their clients. If your inspector has not given you a copy, ask for one, or Click Here and look for your home inspectors association.
The Industry Standards clearly spell out specific areas in which inspector must identify various defects and deficiencies, as well as identifying specific systems, components and items that are being inspected. There are many excluded areas noted in standards that inspector does not have to report on, for example; private water and sewer systems, solar systems, security systems, etc.
The inspector is not limited by standards and if inspector wishes to include additional inspection services (typically for an extra fee) then he/she may perform as many specific inspection procedures as client may request. Some of these additional services may include wood-boring insect inspection, radon testing, or a variety of environmental testing, etc.
Most inspectors will not give definitive cost estimates for repairs and replacements since costs can vary greatly from one contractor to another. Inspectors typically will tell clients to secure three reliable quotes from those contractors performing type of repairs in question.
Life expectancies are another area that most inspectors try not to get involved in. Every system and component in a building will have a typical life expectancy. Some items and units may well exceed those expected life spans, while others may fail much sooner than anticipated. An inspector may indicate to a client, general life expectancies, but should never give exact time spans for above noted reasons.
