Ideally an effective home inspection is a systematic visual inspection of all working items in and around a house. It should include all exterior items such as wall and roof, grading and guttering, windows and doors, pool and equipment, lanai and pool cage and seawall and dock which includes davits and boat lifts, above ground plumbing and electrical outlets, switches and light fixtures. All items are checked for damage and for function. All items should be referenced in the report to show buyer that they have been addressed. The same is true of the interior of the house. The panel box should be opened and inspected for problems with the wiring. Inspection covers should be removed from hot water heater and elements checked. The heat system and size should be identified and located on the report. The heat should be checked and the air handler or package unit checked for proper temperature/amperage during operation. A visual inspection should also be done to identify damage or problems with the operation of the unit and connecting duct work. The air compressor should be located and identified for size and damage. The function of the air conditioning system is checked and reported including connections of duct work and types of duct. All appliances should be visually inspected for plumbing connections and proper wiring and ventilation. Appliances are run through their normal cycles but no warranty or guarantee is given or implied. Badly damaged appliances will be identified as having reached the end of its useful live. Each room in the house is systematically checked. All doors, windows, outlets, switches, light fixtures, walls and ceilings are checked for function and damage. All bathroom toilets, sinks, tub, showers, fans are visually inspected and conditions reported. Roofs should be mounted if possible, however, this can be limited due to safety conditions and other variables such as tile roofing which is not mounted due to possible breakage. Method of inspection and limitations should be on the report. Type of roof and conditions should be reported on the inspection. Badly aged roofing will be identified as "having reached the end of it’s useful life". Attics should be entered if possible however visual inspection is limited due to clearance and ducts. If an attic is not entered it should be explained in the report. It should be noted that motion sensors, alarm systems and other low voltage systems are not a part of the home inspection. Underground wiring and plumbing in addition to well and septic systems are beyond the scope of the inspection. The exterior of condos are also beyond the scope of the inspection. |
