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Residential Home Inspections....Defined

Please Read This Information.

A home inspection is
a non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. This is carried out by a home inspector, who usually has special equipment and training to carry out such inspections. A home inspection report is then issued by the home inspector. Many home inspectors use home inspection software.

An inspector will check
the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other aspects of buildings looking for improper building practices, those items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues. Home owners or home buyers often use a home inspection service before selling or buying their houses. A home inspector conducts a thorough examination of a home to detect any potential systems or components requiring attention. A home owner receives a detailed report of the condition of his/her home so that he/she can plan for needed repairs and upgrades when it is time to make them.

A home inspector or a real estate appraiser.
A home inspector determines the condition of a structure, whereas an appraiser determines the value of a property.

A home cannot "fail" an inspection,
as there is no score or passing grade given. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local building code code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need a major or minor repair or replacement. For some ideas of what home inspectors look for, or commonly misunderstood items on an inspection report; click the link to the right,

In the United States a contract to purchase a house will often include
a contingency that the contract is not valid until a home inspector has inspected the property (and the contract will usually provide for how problems found in inspection are to be remedied). In many states and provinces, home inspectors are required to be licensed, but in many states the profession is not regulated at all. Typical requirements for obtaining a license are to complete an approved training course and/or to pass an examination selected by the state's licensing board. Several states and provinces also require inspectors to periodically obtain continuing education credits in order to renew their licenses.

Anyone entering the home inspection field should be trained
in the unique discipline of home inspection. Assuming that the home inspector has been properly trained and has sufficient experience, they should be able to provide a satisfactory detailed inspection of a property within the scope of their education and any home inspector licensing requirements. A home inspection should not be mistaken for an engineering inspection. Consumers who want a professional engineering opinion on the structural condition of their prospective home should retain the services of a licensed Professional Engineer.

Where licensing or certification is not a requirement,
anyone can claim to be a home inspector, and there are no laws to prevent them from doing so. In many states, the only practical standards for home inspectors are those enacted by professional inspection associations.

Over thirty U.S. states regulate the home inspection industry.