Q: What does a home inspection NOT cover?
A: As often as we’re asked what a home inspection does cover, we’re also frequently asked what it doesn’t cover. Here’s a quick rundown of what a home inspection is and isn’t:
Understanding the Purpose of a Home Inspection
A home inspection is a thorough visual and non-invasive assessment of a home’s structure and major systems. With an NPI inspection, you get the benefit of a full report on a property’s condition, complete with photos, from an unbiased source. Inspection reports tell a home’s story at a specific moment in time and may be used to negotiate a final offer or plan for your family’s financial future. A home inspection is one of the most valuable tools available to homebuyers and homeowners alike.
What a Home Inspection Does Not Include
Conditions that are not immediately visible.
Our inspectors will not cut into drywall or flooring, move furniture, or take any other potentially invasive measures to detect problems. While tools like moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras help us “see behind walls,” if a defect is hidden from view, it may not be detectable during a home inspection. We also take safety into consideration. While we make every effort to inspect a home from top to bottom, crowded storage areas, locked rooms, snow cover, or inaccessible crawlspaces may limit portions of the inspection.
Code compliance.
Home inspections are not the same as code compliance inspections. Building codes change over time, and many older homes were constructed under different code standards. Our role is not to determine whether a home meets every current requirement. Instead, we focus on significant safety concerns and other visible deficiencies.
Future repairs and system lifespans.
An inspection report is a snapshot in time, and a property’s condition can change rapidly due to a number of different factors, like severe weather. While we will make a note about future repairs and even include average lifespans for appliances, systems, and structures, we can’t guarantee outcomes. Read More…….
Source: Jay Heckart | Owner & Inspector