A home cannot fail an inspection. A professional
home inspection gives you an independent, unbiased view of any problems and their solutions, so that you will have all the
facts you need to make a sound, informed decision.
Depending on the size and condition of the home, a thorough
home inspection will take usually between 3 to 4 hours. Ideally, you will accompany your inspector during the inspection
process, so that you will have visual reinforcement of your written report.
We take our inspection reports seriously.
Every inspection is a complete and thorough analysis of all the major systems and components in the home. The report includes
a clear description of what we've found with any problem areas and conditions noted, so you can easily identify them.
A thorough home inspection will include the following:
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~ Roof (shingles, flashings, chimneys,
vents, trim and gutters, drip edges, skylights, downspouts, and other visible roof related items)
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~ Attics (insulation, ventilation,
rafters, joists and collar ties, trusses, wiring attachments, and other visible related items)
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~ Plumbing and Fixtures (water pressure,
water distribution system, hose bibs, sinks and faucets, bath/showers and toilets, sanitary system, and other plumbing system
components)
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~ Interior (floors and ceilings, walls,
stairs (if applicable) and banisters, finishes, sinks, cabinets, shelving, built-in appliances, smoke detectors and safety-related
items, and other visible interior-related components)
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~ Heating and Cooling Systems (furnace,
air cleaning parts, ductwork, electronic monoxide testing, electric gas sniffer testing, air conditioner and lines, and other
visible related HVAC components)
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~ Electrical Systems (service entry
and clearances, service panel, switches and outlets, visible wiring and junction boxes, grounding system, and other related
electrical components)
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~ Basements, Crawl Spaces, and Foundation
(insulation, ventilation, posts, vapor barriers, utility attachment, structural items, floors and walls, and columns)
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~ Exterior (siding materials, attachments,
windows, doors, sashes and lintels, vents, entryways, and other visible exterior related components)
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~ Decks and Porches
~ Fireplaces
~ Overall Structure
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The Scope of the Inspection
The purpose of a home inspection is to discover all significant defects, problems and concerns that are visually discernible
during the inspection process. The inspection process involves evaluations of the visible components, such as the foundations,
site drainage, floor framing, heating and plumbing systems, electrical panel and systems, walls/ceilings, doors, windows,
fireplaces, attic spaces, siding/cladding, roofing materials/conditions and framing, pest inspections, etc.
There
are components that are commonly not inspected during a standard Home Inspection- these are almost always excluded from the
inspections process. It is recommended that a licensed and qualified professional inspect and evaluate these components as
they apply to your house; septic systems and wells, underground water lines and meters, pools, hot tubs, sprinkler systems,
intercom systems, phone, Cat5 and TV cable systems, low voltage systems, hazardous materials, environmental items, oil tanks,
and many others.
There are limitations to the inspection process, because they are visually inspection only; dismantling
of components on the property, opening up walls and ceilings, excavating soils are excluded from the inspection process. The
removal of the electrical panel covers, operating and testing some appliances and the heating system, operating windows and
doors, operating water supply system and testing drain lines, as well as, the garage door openers are usually considered standard
testing procedures for a home inspection. Testing of standard ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and determining the
location of these, as well as, testing outlets and light fixtures is also part of the inspection process.
As
of September 1, 2009, the State of Washington, Dept. of Licensing, requires all Home Inspectors to be licensed to perform
home inspections in the state. To become a "Licensed" Home Inspector, individuals must have been in the
home inspection profession and performed at least 100 complete home inspections prior to June 12, 2008. They have also
passed National and State Home Inspector exams, to achieve the "licensed" status.
However, there is a
small catch to that rule; "Newer Inspectors" do not have to meet that new law until July 1, 2010. "Newer
Inspectors" who did not meet this licensing requirement mentioned above, will have to complete further education and
field training to meet the "licensed" statue. These inspectors cannot refer to themselves as "licensed"
until they do meet the requirement. Home inspectors, through the Dept of Licensing, may report on wood-decay
fungal rot and pest-conducive conditions discovered during the inspections, but all references to wood-destroying insects
must be referred to a licensed Sturctural Pest Inspector (SPI) or Pest Control Operator (POC).
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