Things a Home Inspector is Not Required to do

When you’re in the market for a new home, bringing in a home inspector is critical in ensuring your potential new place is up to snuff. These pros give the home a thorough inspection to spot any non-compliance hazards that could cause headaches down the road. But it’s crucial to recognize the tasks they aren’t responsible for—functions that fall outside their inspection checklist.

While a home inspector dives into the details of a house's condition, they adhere to specific guidelines that define their responsibilities and boundaries. They operate within a framework that outlines standard inspection and tells you what they will and won’t check.

Understanding the scope of home inspector liabilities helps you, the homebuyer, manage your expectations and know when you might need to call additional experts for a closer look.

Key Takeaways

Home inspectors are your allies when it comes to evaluating the condition of a potential new home. They bring expertise and experience to the table, but it's essential to acknowledge their limitations. One crucial aspect of understanding home inspector liabilities is realizing what they do not cover.

Pro Tip: Clear the area around your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel before inspection day. It’ll help the inspector see everything they need to.

What a Home Inspector Covers

Home inspectors are professionals who examine various aspects of a home. They investigate structural elements, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, etc. Safety concerns are always a top priority.

Nevertheless, some areas and issues might be outside their scope.

Pro Tip: Ask questions to understand the home's condition.

No Need to Inspect Areas That Aren’t Easy to Get To

Home inspector liabilities include many things, but squeezing into tiny, tight spots isn't one. If a space in the home is hard to access or sealed up, they won't go there.

Pro Tip: Got a locked attic or a sealed-off crawl space? Unlock or open it before inspection to ensure it gets checked.

Not Supposed to Predict the Future

A home inspector is all about the here and now. They won’t take guesses on when your furnace might need replacing or how many years your roof has left. They focus on the condition of the home today.

Pro Tip: For any appliance or system, keep records of maintenance. This can help you guess how much life it might have left.

They Don't Look at Things That Aren't Part of the House

Home inspectors work like home-only detectives. They inspect the structure and systems of the house itself. Things like landscaping, separate sheds, or the condition of the driveway? Those are outside their checklist.

Pro Tip: If there are extras on the property you're concerned about, you might need to hire a specialist.

Not There to Check for Bugs or Molds

Inspecting for pests or mold isn't part of home inspector liabilities. They might stumble upon these issues, but it's not their primary focus.

Pro Tip: If you’re buying in an area known for pests or moisture issues, get a pest or mold inspection separately.

They Don't Judge if the House is Good to Buy

Home inspector liabilities don’t include passing judgment on your potential purchase. They’re the messenger, delivering the current condition of the house, nothing more.

Pro Tip: When buying, use the inspection report as a fact sheet to discuss with your realtor or a housing advisor.

Conclusion

Having a clear picture of a home inspector's role is critical. Their main task is to give you a snapshot of your house's condition at present—not to move your stuff, not to dismantle parts of your home to inspect, and not to guess the future of its components.

Also, remember that home inspector liabilities define the boundaries of their responsibilities; they can only report on what they see and access safely.

Knowing these boundaries will help you understand their findings and use their insights to purchase your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a home inspector provide repair costs for any issues found?

A home inspector typically does not give repair estimates. Their role is to identify issues rather than to assess the cost or work needed to fix them.

Will a home inspector check for lead paint or asbestos in the home?

Checking for hazardous materials like lead paint or asbestos is not part of a standard home inspector’s duties. These checks usually require a specialist.

Are home inspectors required to inspect the appliances within the home?

A home inspector might test the appliances to see if they work but won’t evaluate their quality or life expectancy.

Do home inspectors need to access my attic or basement even if it's unfinished?

A home inspector will want to look at your attic and basement, if accessible, since these areas can show signs of structural issues or leaks.

Is a home inspector liable for hidden defects found after the purchase?

Home inspectors are not liable for hidden problems that could not have been identified during a visual inspection.

Does a home inspector test for radon, carbon monoxide, or other gases?

Testing for radon, carbon monoxide, or other gases is not checked during home inspections and requires a specialist.

Are home inspectors qualified to check for electrical code compliance?

While a home inspector will look at the electrical system to identify safety concerns, they may not perform an in-depth code compliance inspection. This is usually the job of a licensed electrician.