Understanding Your Home Inspection:
What's Included and What's Not

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Our home inspection services adhere to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) Standards of Practice, which define the scope and limitations of a standard home inspection. These standards are widely recognized across the industry and establish what a home inspection is and is not.

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A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive evaluation of the readily accessible areas of a property. It is designed to identify significant defects or conditions that are visible at the time of the inspection, not to provide guarantees, predict future conditions, or identify every possible issue.

 

Our goal is to give you clear, practical information about the current condition of the home so you can make informed decisions.

 

What We Inspect During a Standard Inspection

 

A standard inspection generally includes a visual evaluation of the following readily accessible systems and components, as defined by the InterNACHI Standards of Practice:

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• Structural components such as foundations, floors, walls, ceilings, and roof structure

• Exterior components including wall coverings, trim, doors, windows, decks, and grading that may affect the building

• Roofing materials, roof drainage systems, flashings, and roof penetrations

• Plumbing systems including visible water supply, drain, waste, vent systems, water heating equipment, and fixtures

• Electrical systems including service equipment, panels, branch wiring, outlets, switches, and required safety devices

• Heating and cooling systems, distribution components, and normal operating controls

• Interior components such as walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, doors, windows, cabinets, and garage doors

• Insulation and ventilation in unfinished spaces, including attics and crawlspaces

 

The inspection focuses on function, safety, and visible condition, not cosmetic appearance.

 

 

Important Limitations Of a Home Inspection

 

It’s important to understand what a home inspection does not include.

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• Inspections are visual only and non-invasive. Inspectors do not open walls, remove finishes, dismantle equipment, or disturb personal property.

• The inspection is limited to readily accessible areas. Areas that are concealed, obstructed, locked, unsafe, or not visible at the time of the inspection are excluded.

• A home inspection represents a snapshot in time. Conditions can change due to use, weather, or other factors after the inspection.

• Weather conditions, temperature, moisture, and other environmental factors may limit the inspection or prevent certain systems or components from being operated without risk of damage.

• Some defects may be latent (hidden) and not discoverable through reasonable visual observation, even when professional tools are used.

 

Because of these limitations, a home inspection cannot identify every possible issue with a property.

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What Is Not Included in a Standard Inspection

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A standard home inspection is not a code compliance inspection and does not include code or permit verification, engineering analysis, environmental or health hazard testing, property valuation, cost estimates, or predictions regarding remaining service life.

 

The inspection is limited to permanently installed, readily accessible systems and components that fall within the scope of a general home inspection. Specialty, auxiliary, or non-standard systems are excluded unless specifically contracted for.

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Condominiums and Townhomes

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For condominium inspections, the scope is limited to the interior of the individual unit. Common areas, shared systems, and components outside the privately owned unit are not included in the inspection.

Any comments regarding shared areas are provided as a courtesy only and are not part of the inspection scope.

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Additional Services and Specialized Inspections

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If you have concerns about specific systems or conditions that fall outside the scope of a standard home inspection, additional services may be available, such as environmental testing, sewer inspections, pool inspections, or pest inspections.

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These services must be discussed and scheduled prior to the inspection date.

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Final Note

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A home inspection is an important part of the home-buying process, but it is not a guarantee or warranty. Inspection findings and recommendations are based on the inspector’s professional judgment at the time of the inspection. Our inspectors do not advise whether or not to purchase a property. Instead, we provide professional observations and recommendations to help you better understand the home and plan accordingly.

 

This page provides a general overview of inspection scope and limitations. The InterNACHI Standards of Practice serve as the governing authority for all standard home inspections.

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If you have questions about what is or is not included, we encourage you to contact us before the inspection so expectations are clearly aligned.

 

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