| Doesn't the Home Inspector find everything? | | | | "visual" inspection? Visual is the key word! |
| | | | If the Inspector cannot see or access |
| The Home inspector is a "Generalist". This | | | | something, it will not be reported on. The |
| means that they are giving you a general | | | | Inspector will usually include information |
| overview of the condition of the property | | | | indicating if something could not be accessed |
| based on a "visual" inspection. Their | | | | and why. There are a couple of areas where |
| inspection is not in-depth or exhaustive in | | | | this applies: |
| any area but it is thorough and covers all | | | | |
| the major systems of the home. This is due to | | | | - The underground portion of the sewer line, |
| a number of factors: | | | | especially the portion that runs from the |
| | | | house out to the city street or to the septic |
| - Most Home Inspectors follow a set of | | | | tank in the case of a private sewage disposal |
| "Standards of Practice" (SoPs) that dictate | | | | system. |
| what is inspected, what is NOT inspected and | | | | |
| how it is reported. These standards should be | | | | - The interior of any fireplace flues and |
| made available to you at the time of the | | | | chimneys. |
| Inspection. | | | | |
| | | | - Inside walls or ceilings, behind tile and |
| - To do an in-depth evaluation of all the | | | | wall paper or behind areas blocked or |
| items and systems involved in a typical home | | | | obscured by the sellers furniture or stored |
| inspection would take many hours and cost | | | | items. (like in attics or garages and |
| much more than than most would be willing to | | | | basements) These areas are the target |
| pay. | | | | of some of those "specialty inspections" |
| | | | performed by experts in those particular |
| - Many times, depending on the condition of | | | | areas with specialized (and expensive) |
| the property, this exhaustive a level of | | | | equipment. |
| inspection is not called for. | | | | |
| | | | These areas are a given. They should be |
| Think of the Home Inspector as being like the | | | | given a high priority for further evaluation. |
| Primary Care Physician for your new home. He | | | | |
| will do a general, visual inspection of the | | | | Additional areas of more in-depth evaluation |
| major components of the home and suggest | | | | by an expert are; the electrical system, |
| additional, in-depth evaluation by a | | | | roofing, plumbing HVAC and foundation. |
| specialist in that particular system or | | | | |
| component. You most likely do not need a | | | | If the Home Inspector finds significant or |
| full-on roofing, electrical, plumbing, | | | | life threatening issues in these areas they |
| foundation and HVAC inspection. You might, | | | | will recommend additional evaluation by a |
| but probably not. In the long run, this saves | | | | licensed contractor specialist. |
| you money. Additional inspections cost money. | | | | |
| From $50 to $350 or more each. Mold | | | | So now you know what to expect of the Home |
| inspections cost a lot more in many cases. | | | | Inspector and their inspection and that he is |
| | | | not necessarily the last Inspector you will |
| Remember above where I said this is a | | | | see. |