What does your Home Inspector actually inspect?
You will expect your inspector to inspect all of the structural components of the home which should include the foundations and framing.
The inspector should describe the methods used to inspect:
- Any under-floor crawl spaces and attics.
- The foundations.
- The floor structure.
- The wall structure.
- The ceiling structure.
- The roof structure.
Externally, the inspector should inspect:
- All siding, flashing and trim.
- All exterior doors.
- Any attached or adjacent decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings.
- The eaves, the soffits, and fascias where accessible from the ground level.
- Any vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining walls that are likely to adversely affect the building.
- Any adjacent or entryway walkways, patios, and driveways.
The inspector should also inspect:
- Roofing.
- Plumbing.
- Electrical systems.
- Heating systems.
- Air conditioning.
- Interior walls ceilings and floors.
- Insulation and ventilation.
- Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.
Remember – Home Inspections are not technically exhaustive.
Home inspections are not totally exhaustive. You will need to be aware of what is not normally inspected and what the inspector will or will not do during the course of any inspection.
General exclusions will usually include the following:
- Inspectors are not generally required to determine the condition of systems or components that are not readily accessible to the inspector. Nor will the inspector try to determine the remaining life expectancy of any system or component.
- The inspector will not comment on the strength, the adequacy, the effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component. Nor will he/ she make any assertions as to the causes of any condition or deficiency of any system or component.
- It is also not part of the inspector’s remit to suggest methods, materials, or costs of corrections for any deficiencies.
- The inspector will not speculate as to the future condition of, including but not limited to, the failure of systems and components.
- The suitability of the property for any specialized use will not be included as part of the report. Nor will the compliance with regulatory requirements, codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.
- The inspector will not comment on the market value of the property nor its marketability. Nor will the inspector make recommendations as to the advisability of the purchase of the property.
- The presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to, wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans including moulds or mould-like substances will also not be included.
- It is the same with regard to the presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to, toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water, and air.
- The effectiveness of any system installed or method utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances, the operating costs of systems or components, the acoustic properties of any system or component and the soil conditions relating to geotechnical or hydrologic specialties are not normally included in the remit of the inspector.
