SAMPLE Inspection report
What to expect from an inspection report?
Generally speaking, reports should describe the major home systems, their crucial components, and their operability, especially the ones in which failure can result in dangerous or expensive-to-correct conditions. Defects should be adequately described, and the report should include recommendations.
Reports should also disclaim portions of the home not inspected. Since home inspections are visual inspections, the parts of the home hidden behind floor, wall and ceiling coverings should be disclaimed.
Home inspectors are not experts in every system of the home, but are trained to recognize conditions that require a specialist inspection.
Home inspections are not technically exhaustive, so the inspector will not disassemble a furnace to examine the heat exchanger closely, for example.
Standards of Practice are designed to identify both the requirements of a home inspection and the limitations of an inspection.
The only mandatory repairs are what the mortgage lender, appraisal, or insurance company requires. The rest is negotiated between the parties (buyer and seller).
What is checked?
STRUCTURAL
- Inspector tries to physically get on the roof
- Checks the entire roofing system
- Checks all penetrations through the roof
- Crawls through the attic checking for evidence of water penetration and for proper framing (if there is a crawl space)
- Load bearing walls, inside & outside, down to and including the foundation system
MECHANICAL
- Check all built in appliances
- Dishwasher, disposal, oven, range top, kitchen vent, garage door operators, ceiling fans, etc.
- Central heating and cooling
ELECTRICAL
- Starting from where power connects to house
- Breaker panel, where the breakers are
- To all accessible outlets, switches
- All accessible wiring
PLUMBING
- Check for proper operation of all the sinks, faucets, commodes, bath tubs, shower, water heaters, etc.
No home is perfect, try to focus your attention on big ticket items
Roof
- Roof over wood shingles – Most insurance companies do not allow this
- Older than 15 years (typical lifespan) – Red flag for insurance company
HVAC
- 12-15 years – Average serviceable life
Foundation
- There are 2 types of foundations in greater Houston area – Those that have moved and those that will move. We have expansive clay soils; the home sits on ground, ground moves, house moves
Appliances
- Typical serviceable life of kitchen appliances, 10-15 years
Electrical
- Deficient might mean not to today’s electrical code, things like AFCI, GFCI and grounding
Plumbing
- Water heater 8-12 years $400-$1,200
- Shower pan $1-3,000
- Old cast iron drain line can be very expensive to repair
- Active water leaks
ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS (things that are not covered in a general inspection)
- Hydrostatic test of Cast iron drain lines below house (performed by a Plumber)
- Termites or pest inspections
- Stucco
- Chinese Drywall “2006”
- Pool (performed by Pool Specialist)
- Infrared / Thermal Imaging (some inspectors now include this)
- Environmental (performed by Specialist) – Mold, Lead, Asbestos, Radon