WHAT IS INSPECTED
Roof
The inspector shall inspect from ground level or the eaves:
The roof-covering materials
The gutters
The downspouts
The vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations
The general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.
Exterior
The inspector shall inspect:
The exterior wall-covering materials
The eaves, soffits and fascia
A representative number of windows
All exterior doors
Flashing and trim
Adjacent walkways and driveways
Stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps
Porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports
Railings, guards and handrails
Vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due to moisture intrusion.
Plumbing
The inspector shall inspect:
The main water supply shut-off valve
The main fuel supply shut-off valve
The water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing
Interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water
All toilets for proper operation by flushing
All sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage
The drain, waste and vent system
Drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
Electrical
The inspector shall inspect:
The service drop
The overhead service conductors and attachment point
The service head, gooseneck and drip loops
The service mast, service conduit and raceway
The electric meter and base
Service-entrance conductors
The main service disconnect
Panelboards and over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses)
Service grounding and bonding
A representative number of switches, lighting fixtures and receptacles, including receptacles observed and deemed to be arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)-protected using the AFCI test button, where possible
all ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs using a GFCI tester, where possible
for the presence of smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
Heating
The inspector shall inspect:
The heating system, using normal operating controls
Cooling
The inspector shall inspect:
The cooling system, using normal operating controls
Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
The inspector shall inspect
Insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas
Ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas
Mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area
Doors, Windows, Interiors
The inspector shall inspect:
A representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them
Floors, walls and ceilings
Stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps
Railings, guards and handrails
Garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers, using normal operating controls.
Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace & Structure
The inspector shall inspect:
The foundation
The basement
The crawlspace
Structural components.
Definitions and Scope
A general home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property (as delineated below), performed for a fee, which is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components defined by these Standards that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector. The scope of work may be modified by the Client and Inspector prior to the inspection process.
The general home inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions.
The general home inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.
A material defect is a specific issue with a system or component of a residential property that may have a significant, adverse impact on the value of the property, or that poses an unreasonable risk to people. The fact that a system or component is near, at, or beyond the end of its normal, useful life is not, in itself, a material defect.
A general home inspection report shall identify, in written format, defects within specific systems and components defined by these Standards that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector. Inspection reports may include additional comments and recommendations.