What’s Included in a Standard Home Inspection

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A standard home inspection is performed in accordance with the InterNACHI® Home Inspection Standards of Practice (SOP) which can be found by clicking HERE.  These standards establish the minimum requirements for a professional residential home inspection.

A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the readily accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee, and designed to identify material defects within specific systems and components as defined by the InterNACHI® Standards of Practice.
A material defect is a condition that, in the judgment of the inspector, significantly affects the value of the property or poses an unreasonable risk to people.
In practical terms, during your inspection we will:

• Visually inspect readily accessible and safely reachable areas of the home 
• Operate normal homeowner controls where appropriate 
• Describe inspected systems and components in a written report 
• Report observed material defects present at the time of the inspection
  The inspection is not technically exhaustive and does not involve dismantling, destructive testing, or invasive procedures. It is not a code compliance inspection, engineering evaluation, or warranty. The inspection reflects the condition of the property at the time of the inspection, based solely on what is visible and accessible.
   

At a minimum, the InterNACHI® Standards of Practice require inspection and reporting on the following systems:

• Roof 
• Exterior 
• Basement, foundation, crawlspace, and structure 
• Heating 
• Cooling 
• Plumbing 
• Electrical 
• Fireplace 
• Attic, insulation, and ventilation 
• Doors, windows, and interior
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Roof covering materials 
• Visible flashings, penetrations, and skylights 
• Gutters and downspouts 
• Visible signs of leakage or damage
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Exterior wall coverings, trim, and flashing 
• Exterior doors 
• Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, and porches 
• Driveways, walkways, and grading adjacent to the structure 
• Attached garages and carports
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Visible foundation components 
• Structural framing where accessible 
• Crawlspaces and basements where accessible 
• Visible signs of moisture intrusion, water penetration, or structural movement
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Accessible heating equipment 
• Normal operating controls 
• Visible distribution systems 
• Visible venting and fuel supply where applicable
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Central air conditioning or heat pump systems, if installed 
• Normal operating controls 
• Visible cooling equipment and components
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Interior water supply and distribution systems 
• Drain, waste, and vent systems where visible 
• Plumbing fixtures and faucets 
• Water heating equipment
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Service entrance conductors and service disconnect 
• Main and sub panels 
• A representative number of switches, receptacles, and lighting fixtures 
• Presence of ground-fault and arc-fault protection where installed
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Readily accessible fireplaces, inserts, and stoves 
• Visible chimneys and venting systems 
• Basic operation of accessible components where safe
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Attic access and visible framing 
• Insulation type and approximate depth 
• Ventilation systems where accessible 
• Visible signs of leaks, condensation, or moisture intrusion
   

The inspector shall inspect:

• Interior walls, ceilings, and floors 
• Steps, stairways, handrails, and guardrails 
• Interior doors and a representative number of windows 
• Built-in cabinets and countertops 
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where present
   

A standard home inspection does not include:

• Code compliance verification or permit review 
• Engineering or architectural analysis 
• Environmental testing such as radon, mold, asbestos, lead, or air quality 
• Pest inspections requiring a separate license 
• Wells, septic systems, irrigation systems, water treatment systems, or specialty equipment 
• Pools, spas, or similar recreational features 
• Thermal imaging, sewer scopes, or other ancillary services unless specifically contracted 
• Predicting future performance, remaining service life, or guaranteeing hidden defects
   

The InterNACHI® Standards of Practice represent a baseline. Many experienced inspectors choose to exceed these minimum requirements by providing additional detail, documentation, and explanations, while still operating within the limits of a visual, non-invasive inspection.
Your written report will:

• Identify inspected systems and components 
• Describe observed material defects and safety concerns 
• Provide recommendations for repair, further evaluation, or monitoring
   

An inspection performed in accordance with the InterNACHI® Standards of Practice provides a clear, professional snapshot of the property’s condition at the time of the inspection.