-- Table of Contents -- 1. Introduction 2. Purpose & Scope 3. Structural System 4. Exterior 5. Roof System 6. Plumbing System 7. Electrical System 8. Heating System 9. Air Conditioning Systems 10. Interior 11. Insulation and Ventilation 12. Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances 13. General Limitations and Exclusions

13.1  General limitations:

1. The inspector is NOT required to perform any action or make any determination not specifically stated in these Standards of Practice.
2. Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice :
   1. are not technically exhaustive.
   2. are not required to identify concealed conditions, latent defects, or consequential damage(s).
3. These Standards of Practice are applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their garages or carports.

13.2  General exclusions:

1. Inspectors are not required to determine:
   1. conditions of systems or components that are not readily accessible.
   2. remaining life expectancy of any system or component.
   3. strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component.
   4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.
   5. methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
   6. future conditions including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components.
   7. the suitability of the property for any specialized use.
   8. compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
   9. market value of the property or its marketability.
   10. the advisability of purchase of the property.
   11. the presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans including molds or mold-like substances.
   12. the presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water, and air.
   13. the effectiveness of any system installed or method utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
   14. operating costs of systems or components.
   15. acoustical properties of any system or component.
   16. soil conditions relating to geotechnical or hydrologic specialties.
2. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:
   1. or perform any act or service contrary to law.
   2. or perform engineering services.
   3. or perform work in any trade or any professional service other than home inspection.
   4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.
3. Inspectors are NOT required to operate:
   1. any system or component that is shut down or otherwise inoperable.
   2. any system or component that does not respond to normal operating controls.
   3. shut-off valves or manual stop valves.
4. Inspectors are NOT required to enter:
   1. any area that will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components.
   2. under-floor crawl spaces or attics that are not readily accessible.
5. Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:
   1. underground items including, but not limited to underground storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active.
   2. items that are not installed.
   3. installed decorative items.
   4. items in areas that are not entered in accordance with 13.2.D.
   5. detached structures other than garages and carports.
   6. common elements or common areas in multi-unit housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.
6. Inspectors are NOT required to:
   1. perform any procedure or operation that will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components.
   2. describe or report on any system or component that is not included in these Standards and was not inspected.
   3. move personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
   4. dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by these Standards of Practice.

 

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