Standards of Inspection

Purpose, Scope and Limitations of the Inspection

1.   The inspection is a visual inspection by direct observation of the existing conditions at the time of inspection and will be conducted in accordance with the Standards of Inspection herein. The Standards of Inspection does NOT cover or require the Inspector to identify or report on the presence of asbestos, radon gas, lead paint, urea formaldehyde, toxic or inflammable chemicals, etc.

2.   The Inspector will NOT offer warranties or guarantees of any kind for any system or component.

3.   Inspectors are generally limited to buildings, single-family dwellings, duplexes, townhouses and condominiums, which shall commensurate with their level of certification, qualification, experience and knowledge.

4.   The Inspector is NOT required to perform any calculations or analyze any part of the building or components relating to design, engineering or architectural concepts, including, but not limited to the strength and adequacy, methods, materials, costs for any corrections, the efficiency of any system or component or compliance with any regulatory requirements, laws or bylaws.

5.    The Inspector is NOT required to locate, confirm, verify or comment on property lines, borders and markers or any easements, right of ways, restrictions which may or may not exist against the subject property, building, dwelling or dwelling unit.

6.   The Inspector will NOT comment on life expectancy, but may however offer an opinion based on the typical life cycle of a system or component.

7.   The Inspector is NOT required to provide cost estimates, quotations or comment on construction techniques and shall NOT advertise or promote an individual contractor or person for any repairs, modifications or improvements necessary.

8.   The Inspector is NOT required to dismantle any item or assembly to gain visible access, or move personal items, furniture, equipment, plant life, soil, ice or snow, insulation or other debris, which obstructs access or visibility for inspection.

9.   The Inspector will NOT perform any task, enter any area or disturb any existing condition where, in the Inspector's judgment, damage could result or the safety of the Inspector is endangered.

10. The Inspector will NOT comment on any system that is mechanically or electrically disconnected, including any equipment that is in the off position or not operational.

11. The Inspector will NOT accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service without the consent of all interested parties.

12. The Inspector shall NOT directly or indirectly offer, advertise or promote any other professional services relating to the advertising, sale, appraisal or lending, of the subject building or property.

13. The Inspector shall include and submit a report of findings that includes a copy the Service Engagement Contract applicable to the type of building, dwelling or dwelling unit inspected.

Standards of Inspection: Single Family Dwelling

1.0. Roof

The inspector is required to:

1.       Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.       Perform tasks as noted herein.

                  - Roofing components and roof coverings.

                  - Roof penetrations and flashings.

                  - Chimney.

                  - Roof drainage components, including gutters and drain spouts.

                  - Observe and report evidence of water penetration and condensation.

The inspector is not required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Accessories that do not make up part of the roof, such as lightning arrestor systems, antennae, solar heating systems, satellite dish.

-      Inspect or comment on any area or component, in whole or portion thereof that is not reasonably accessible or readily visible.

-      Walk on roofing where in the judgment of the inspector could be dangerous or cause damage.

2.0. Exterior

The inspector is required to:

1.       Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Exterior wall surfaces, eaves and trim.

-      Doors, windows and flashings.

-      Garages and carports.

-      All entrances such as porches, decks, balconies, including stairs, guards and railings.

-      Observe and report impact of lot grading, landscaping, retaining walls, walkways and driveways on the building.

-      Test the operation of power operated garage door openers, including the stop and automatic reverse function.

The inspector is not required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Ground and soil conditions.

-      Yard fencing.

-      Seasonal accessories such as removable storm windows, storm doors, screens and shutters.

-      Storage sheds and other structures not related to the building.

-      Any item of facilities not directly related to the building structure, such as swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, tennis courts, etc.

-      Inspect or comment on any area or component, in whole or portion thereof that is not reasonably accessible or readily visible.

3.0. Structure

The inspector is required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

      2.   Perform tasks as noted herein.

-          Foundations.

-          Floors.

-          Columns.

-          Walls.

-          Roofs.

-          Chimney’s

-          Attic’s.

-          Crawl spaces.

The inspector is not required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Inspect or comment on any area or component, in whole or portion thereof that is not reasonably accessible or readily visible.

-      Observed and report any evidence of water penetration, condensation and mold.

-      Observe and report any evidence of deterioration from insects, rot or fire.

4.0. Insulation And Ventilation

The inspector is required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Insulation and vapor barrier in accessible attics, crawl spaces and unfinished basements.

-      Ventilation of attics and unheated crawl spaces.

-      Operate exhaust fan ventilation systems.

The inspector is not required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Concealed insulation, air and vapor barrier systems.

-      Inspect or comment on any area or component, in whole or portion thereof that is not reasonably accessible or readily visible.

5.0. Electrical

The inspector is required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Service entrance cable and location.

-      Panel over-current protection and system grounding.

-      Branch circuit wiring and related over-current protection.

-      Amperage and voltage ratings of the main service panel.

-      Readily accessible and removable panel covers designed for homeowner access may be removed for inspection.

-     Test and operate of the ground fault circuit interrupters and installed smoke detectors.

-      Randomly select and operate a representative number of permanently installed light fixtures and outlets.

-      Outlets noted above are to be checked for polarity and grounding. All exterior outlets and those within five feet of plumbing fixtures will be checked for polarity and grounding.

The inspector is not required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Secondary wiring such as low voltage wiring, telephone wiring, cable television wiring, etc.

-      Any component not related to the primary electrical system such as security systems, etc.

-      Inspect or comment on any area or component, in whole or portion thereof that is not reasonably accessible or readily visible.

-      Dismantle, remove, adjust or perform any task on any electrical equipment that would require a qualified trades person to perform.

-      Insert or remove fuses, or operate circuit breakers.

-      Provide or remove power for equipment.

6.0. Permanently Installed Heating & Cooling Systems

 The inspector is required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Furnace and distribution system, including fans, flue piping, vents, chimneys, dampers, supports, filters, ducts and registers.

-      Boilers and distribution systems, including flue piping, vents, chimneys, pumps, piping, valves, supports, insulation, radiators and convectors.

-      Heat recovery ventilator.

-      Electric heaters.

-      Cooling equipment and distribution system, including fans, ducts, dampers, supports, filters, insulation, registers and piping.

-      The presence of manufactures built-in safety controls.

-      The presence of a heating source in each room.

-      Test system using thermostat or other similar standard operating controls.

The inspector is not required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Portable heating units.

-      Potable cooling units such as window air conditioning units, potable humidifiers and portable dehumidifiers.

-      Buried or underground fuel storage tanks or piping.

-      Inspect or comment on any area or component, in whole or portion thereof that is not reasonably accessible or readily visible.

-      Dismantle, remove, adjust or perform any function on any heating or cooling equipment that would require a qualified trades person to perform.

-      Operate any system, which in the judgment of the inspector could cause damage to the equipment.

-      Ignite or extinguish pilot lights, change settings or conditions on equipment.

-      Observe if the heat and distribution in the building is balanced or adequate.

7.0. Plumbing

The inspector is required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Main water supply piping into the dwelling and distribution piping, pipe supports and any leaks in the above piping systems.

-      Fixtures, faucets, and valves and isolating valves.

-      Drain, waste and vent piping, pipe supports and insulation.

-      Hot water heaters, including fuel supply piping, flue piping, vents, chimneys and manufacture’s built-in safety controls.

-      Interior sumps and sump pumps.

-      Observe and report on the presence of cross connections that could contaminate and potable water.

-      Observe and report on the hot water heater.

-      Water volume and pressure should be tested by opening the faucets to obtain a reasonable flow of one or more fixtures simultaneously and at various locations in the dwelling.

-      Water draining should be tested by draining one or more fixtures simultaneously and at various locations in the dwelling.

-      Observe and report on the presence of manufactures built-in safety controls at hot water heater.

8.0. Interior

The inspector is required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Floors, walls, ceilings and trim.

-      Fire separating walls and party walls.

-      Stairs, guards and railings.

-      Solid fuel burning appliances, including fireplaces and wood stove.

-      Observe and report on the presence of smoke detectors.

-      Observe the condition of permanently installed counters and cabinets.

-      Randomly select and operate where reasonably accessible a representative number of doors and windows.

-      Observe and report on any evidence of water penetration and condensation.

-      Test operation of smoke detectors with test button.

The inspector is not required to:

1.      Observe and report on the systems and components listed herein.

2.      Perform tasks as noted herein.

-      Treatments such as paint, wallpaper, carpeting, blinds, drapes and other similar treatments.

-      Kitchen, bathroom and laundry appliances.

-      See also Exterior section.

-      Inspect of comment on any area or component in whole or portion thereof that is not reasonably accessible or readily visible.

-      Ignite or extinguish fires.

-      Comment on fireplace insert installations.