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Scope of a Home Inspection
The scope of a home inspection is well defined by the OAHI Standards of Practice. Home inspection is a professional consulting service offered by trained professionals who evaluate one to four family dwellings. The work is often done in conjunction with a real estate transaction, although it can be done anytime. It focuses on the performance of the home, rather than cosmetic, code or design issues.
A home inspection is:
- An in-field evaluation and professional opinion of the performance of the readily accessible installed systems in a home at one point in time.
- Primarily a visual examination.
- Intended to identify components that are significantly deficient, unsafe or near the end of their life expectancy.
- Documented with a written report.
A home inspection is not:
- An insurance policy, guarantee or warranty on the home or systems.
- An invasive or destructive exercise.
- Intended to identify concealed defects.
- A code or design review.
- Able to predict the future or the remaining life of components.
- An environmental review or energy audit.
Components included:
- Roof
- Structure
- Exterior
- Electrical system
- Heating and Air conditioning systems
- Plumbing systems
- Insulation
- Interior
- Mechanical and natural venting systems
What’s excluded:
- Cosmetics
- Outbuildings
- Swimming pools and spas
- Specialty systems including telephone, cable, alarm systems, lawn sprinklers