Our Full
Inspections include:
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Standards of Practice (Pdf)
- Roof,
vents, flashings, and trim.
- Gutters
and downspouts.
- Skylight,
chimney and other roof penetrations.
- Decks,
stoops, porches, walkways, and railings.
- Eaves,
soffit and fascia.
- Grading
and drainage.
- Basement,
foundation and crawlspace.
- Water
penetration and foundation movement.
- Heating
systems.
- Cooling
systems.
- Main
water shut off valves.
- Water
heating system.
- Interior
plumbing fixtures and faucets.
- Drainage
sump pumps with accessible floats.
- Electrical
service line and meter box.
- Main
disconnect and service amperage.
- Electrical
panels, breakers and fuses.
- Grounding
and bonding.
- GFCIs
and AFCI'.
- Fireplace
damper door and hearth.
- Insulation
and ventilation.
- Garage
doors, safety sensors, and openers.
- And much
more.
Limitations:
An inspection
is not technically exhaustive.
An inspection will not identify concealed or latent defects.
An inspection will not deal with aesthetic concerns or what
could be deemed matters of taste, cosmetic, 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 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.
These Standards of Practice apply only to homes with four or
fewer dwelling units.
Exclusions:
The inspectors
are not required to determine:
A. Property
boundary lines or encroachments.
B. The condition of any component or system that is not readily
accessible.
C. The service life expectancy of any component or system.
D. The size, capacity, BTU, performance, or efficiency of any
component or system.
E. The cause or reason of any condition.
F. The cause for the need of repair or replacement of any system
or component.
G. Future conditions.
H. The compliance with codes or regulations.
I. The presence of evidence of rodents, animals or insects.
J. The presence of mold, mildew or fungus.
K. The presence of air-borne hazards.
L. The presence of birds.
M. The presence of other flora or fauna.
N. The air quality.
O. The existence of asbestos.
P. The existence of environmental hazards.
Q. The existence of electro-magnetic fields.
R. The presence of hazardous materials including, but not limited
to, the presence of lead in paint.
S. Any hazardous waste conditions.
T. Any manufacturer recalls or conformance with manufacturer
installation or any information included in the consumer protection
bulletin.
U. Operating costs of systems.
V. Replacement or repair cost estimates.
W. The acoustical properties of any systems.
X. Estimates of how much it will cost to run any given system.
The
inspectors are not required to operate:
A. Any system
that is shut down.
B. Any system that does not function properly.
C. Or evaluate low voltage electrical systems such as, but not
limited to:
1. Phone lines.
2. Cable lines.
3. Antennae.
4. Lights.
5. Remote controls.
D. Any system that does not turn on with the use of normal operating
controls.
E. Any shut off valve.
F. Any electrical disconnect or over current protection devices.
G. Any alarm systems.
H. Moisture meters, gas detectors or similar equipment.
The inspectors
are not required to:
A. Move
any personal items or other obstructions, such as, but not limited
to:
1. Throw
rugs
2. Furniture
3. Floor or wall coverings
4. Ceiling tiles
5. Window coverings
6. Equipment
7. Plants
8. Ice
9. Debris
10. Snow
11. Water
12. Dirt
13. Foliage
14. Pets
B. Dismantle,
open, or uncover any system or component.
C. Enter or access any area which may, in the opinion of the
inspector, to be unsafe or risk personal safety.
D. Enter crawlspaces or other areas that are unsafe or not readily
accessible.
E. Inspect underground items such as, but not limited to, underground
storage tanks or other indications of their presence, whether
abandoned or actively used.
F. Do anything which, in the inspector's opinion, is likely
to be unsafe or dangerous to the inspector or others or damage
property, such as, but not limited to, walking on roof surfaces,
climbing ladders, entering attic spaces or negotiating with
dogs.
G. Inspect decorative items.
H. Inspect common elements or areas in multi-unit housing.
I. Inspect intercoms, speaker systems, radio-controlled, security
devices or lawn irrigation systems.
J. Offer guarantees or warranties.
K. Offer or perform any engineering services.
L. Offer or perform any trade or professional service other
than home inspection.
M. Research the history of the property, report on its potential
for alteration, modification, extendibility, or its suitability
for a specific or proposed use for occupancy.
N. Determine the age of construction or installation of any
system structure, or component of a building, or differentiate
between original construction or subsequent additions, improvements,
renovations or replacements thereto.
O. Determine the insurability of a property