What is the responsibility of a home inspector? What is included in a home inspection?

A home inspector performs a visual inspection and prepares a written report on the apparent condition of systems and components of the property that are installed and readily accessible at the time of the inspection. Latent and concealed defects and deficiencies are excluded from the inspection.

For an exhaustive list of components and systems that are considered in a home inspection, see the NACHI Standards of Practice.

The inspector is only liable up to the cost of the inspection and is not an insurer or guarantor against defects in the structure, items, components, or systems that are inspected.

The inspector does not provide any guarantee or warranty regarding the use, condition, performance, or adequacy of anything included in the inspection.

A home inspection does not include radon, lead paint, asbestos, mold, toxic or flammable materials, and so on. For a more exhaustive list, see our inspection agreement.

The inspection does not include an appraisal of the value or a survey. The inspection is not a compliance inspection or certification for governmental codes or regulations of any kind.

The inspection does not determine whether the property is insurable.

What if something is found to not be in the same condition as reported by the home inspector?

If an installed system or component is discovered to not be in the condition reported by the inspector, then you must notify the inspector at least 72 hours before repairing or replacing it.

Do I need a home inspection?

The short answer is yes. Buying a new home is an expensive investment, possibly the largest one you'll ever make. A home inspection brings more clarity to what it is that you're buying and will help to mitigate the risk involved in such a purchase.

There are many potential problems that could either go unnoticed, or could lead to bigger problems, that a home inspector is trained to uncover.

Can I inspect the home myself?

We very strongly advise against attempting to perform the property inspection yourself, for a number of reasons. Even if you do have a lot of experience with the systems of a home, it is still advised to hire a professional home inspector.

  • It's far too easy to become emotionally attached to a home. It's very important to have an objective party perform the inspection to provide a professional, unbiased assessment.
  • A professional home inspector has been trained to look for specific issues, and is familiar with a wide variety of situations.
  • A good home inspector knows the difference between major and minor issues, and which minor issues can lead to major problems down the road.

How long does a home inspection take?

A home inspection typically takes between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the size of the home and number of issues discovered. A home inspection that takes less than an hour is generally not thorough enough to be useful.

When you request your inspection, we can give you a better idea as to how long the process will take.

May I attend the inspection?

Absolutely! While your presence is not required, we strongly encourage you to come along for the inspection. You'll have a much better idea of the condition of the home when you can see any issues first-hand.

You'll be able to benefit a lot more from the inspector's experience and knowledge if you are present at the inspection. You can ask questions and receive home maintenance tips — especially helpful for first-time home buyers.

If I'm selling a house, should I get a pre-listing home inspection?

You're more likely to have a quick sale if the house has already been properly inspected. You can opt to provide potential buyers with a copy of the inspection report, or you can address any issues before listing the house for sale.

Major problems discovered during a home inspection may result in serious transaction delays. If you know about these problems ahead of time, you'll be in a better position for a smooth transaction.

Do you have questions that weren't covered here? Get in touch with us and we'll be happy to address all of your concerns.
Inspect Before You Invest

Gain a better understanding of your investment with a better look from Edward Inspections.