The 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
- Documented with a written report
A home inspection is not
- An insurance policy, guarantee or warranty on the home
- 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 system
- Plumbing system
- Insulation and Vapour Barriers
- Interior
- Mechanical and Natural Ventilation Systems
What’s excluded
- Cosmetics
- Outbuildings
- Swimming pools and spas
- Specialty systems including telephone, cable TV, alarm systems, lawn sprinklers
