| A home inspector non-invasively examines the | | | | United Kingdom |
| condition of a home, often in connection with the | | | | A home inspector in the United Kingdom (or more |
| sale of that home. This process is referred to as a | | | | precisely in England and Wales), is an inspector |
| home inspection. | | | | certified to carry out the Home Condition Reports |
| An inspector will check the roof, basement, heating | | | | that, it is expected, will become part of the new |
| system, water heater, air-conditioning system, | | | | Home Information Pack. |
| structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other | | | | On July 18, 2006, the Government announced the |
| aspects of buildings looking for damage which may | | | | postponement of compulsory Home Condition |
| require expensive repairs, as well as fire, safety, and | | | | Reports, which had been due to become part of the |
| health hazards. Think of a home inspector as a | | | | Home Information Packs on 1 June 2007, leaving the |
| detective searching throughout the house for clues | | | | future for the inspectors somewhat uncertain [1]. It is |
| that lead to a conclusion of the home's overall | | | | expected, however, that they will be required to |
| condition. | | | | carry out the Energy Performance Certificatation, |
| A home inspector is sometimes confused with a real | | | | which remains a mandatory part of the packs. |
| estate appraiser. A home inspector determines the | | | | Home inspectors are required to complete the ABBE |
| condition of a structure, whereas an appraiser | | | | Diploma in Home Inspection to show they meet the |
| determines the value of a property. | | | | standards set out for NVQ/VRQ competence based |
| A home cannot "fail" an inspection, as there is no | | | | assessment (Level 4). At the time of writing (July |
| score or passing grade given. A professional home | | | | 2006?) nearly 3,000 candidates who have registered |
| inspection is an examination of the current condition | | | | with training and assessment centres. The |
| of a house. It is not an appraisal. It is not a municipal | | | | government have suggested that between 7,500 |
| inspection, which verifies local building code code | | | | and 8,000 qualified and licensed home inspectors will |
| compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass | | | | be needed to meet the annual demand of nearly |
| or fail a house, but rather describe its physical | | | | 1,000,000 home information packs. |
| condition and indicate what components and systems | | | | The intention is that inspectors will carry insurance to |
| may need a major repair or replacement. | | | | protect consumers that rely on their inspections. |
| North America | | | | There is no official scheme to protect consumers |
| In the United States and Canada, a contract to | | | | from uninsured inspectors should there be a problem |
| purchase a house will often include a contingency that | | | | with a report which a buyer has relied upon. This |
| the contract is not valid until a home inspector has | | | | aspect is under review by Yvette Cooper on behalf |
| inspected the property (and the contract will usually | | | | of the Government. |
| provide for how problems found in inspection are to | | | | Pre-delivery inspection |
| be remedied). In many states and provinces, home | | | | The pre-delivery inspection, which generally applies to |
| inspectors are required to be licensed but typically, | | | | newly-built homes, is a real estate term that means |
| licensed professional engineers are exempt from | | | | the buyer has the option (or requirement, depending |
| home inspector licensing since their license to practice | | | | upon how the real estate contract is written) to |
| engineering covers home inspections. Typical | | | | inspect the property prior to closing or settlement. |
| requirements for obtaining a license are to complete | | | | These inspections generally takes place up to a week |
| an approved training course and/or to pass an | | | | before a closing, and they generally allow buyers the |
| examination selected by the state's licensing board. | | | | first opportunity to inspect their new home. |
| Several states and provinces also require inspectors | | | | Additionally, the inspection is to ensure that all terms |
| to periodically obtain continuing education credits in | | | | of the contract have been met, that the home is |
| order to renew their licenses. | | | | substantially completed, and that major items are in |
| A home inspection is often referred to as an | | | | working order. |
| "engineering report", although many home inspectors | | | | Along with a representative of the builder (generally |
| are not licensed professional engineers. The essential | | | | the construction supervisor or foreman), the buyers |
| difference between a home inspector and a | | | | may be accompanied by a home inspector of their |
| professional engineer is that the professional engineer | | | | choice. Any noted defects are added to a punch list |
| can offer opinions based upon engineering judgment | | | | for completion prior to closing. Often a second |
| and can design specifications for repair or | | | | inspection is conducted to ensure that the defects |
| reinforcement of a structural deficiency, although | | | | have been corrected. |
| engineering design is typically outside the scope and | | | | Many local governments within the United States and |
| fee structure of a standard home inspection. Either | | | | Canada require that new-home builders provide a |
| way, anyone entering the home inspection field | | | | home warranty for a limited period, and this typically |
| should be trained in the unique discipline of home | | | | results in home builders conducting a pre-delivery |
| inspection. Assuming that the home inspector or | | | | inspection with the buyer. |
| licensed engineer has been properly trained and has | | | | In a resale situation, this type of inspection is often |
| sufficient experience, either person should be able to | | | | termed the "final walk-through", and, based on the |
| provide a satisfactory, detailed inspection of a | | | | contract's provisions, it allows the buyer the |
| property. | | | | opportunity to inspect the home prior to closing to |
| Currently, more than thirty U.S. states regulate the | | | | ensure that agreed-upon repairs or improvements |
| home inspection industry in some form. | | | | have been completed. |