Everyone always talks about what a home inspection includes, but rarely does anyone mention what isn’t included when building inspectors come to look around. So here are some of the things that a home inspection will not cover:
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1. The inspector cannot see through walls.
It might be surprising, but an inspector isn’t Superman and can’t see through walls. This means they can’t check for things like mold or water damage that might be hidden from view.
Some people think that home inspectors have x-ray vision, but that’s not the case. If something is hidden from view, the inspector won’t be able to see it and will be noted as such in the report.
2. The inspector cannot predict the future.
Home inspectors can only report on the condition of the home at the time of the inspection. This means that they can’t predict if or when something might break in the future. For example, an inspector might note that a roof is in good condition but can’t say how long it will last.
Many things can arise after an inspection that weren’t present during the time of the examination. No one knows what the future holds, so keep that in mind before relying too heavily on the inspector’s report.
3. The inspection is not a guarantee.
A home inspection report does not guarantee that everything in the house is perfect or will remain that way. The inspector can only report on the condition of the property at the time of examination.
Just because a home inspector didn’t find anything wrong with the house doesn’t mean there isn’t anything wrong with it. There could be hidden damage or problems that arise in the future. The inspection is just a snapshot in time and not a guarantee of the future condition of the property.
4. No inspector is an expert at all things.
Yes, inspectors are often jacks of all trades; however, they are not experts at everything. Most inspectors have a general knowledge of many systems in a home, but likely won’t be experts in all of them.
This means they might not be able to give you in-depth information about a particular system in your home. If you have specific questions about a certain area, you might want to consult with a specialist in that field.
5. The inspection is not a code compliance check.
A home inspection is not the same as a code compliance check. Inspectors will not be checking to see if your home meets all the current building codes.
This is typically done by a separate contractor or code enforcement officer. A home inspection is meant to assess the property’s condition and not to see if it meets all the current codes.
While a home inspection includes a visual assessment of the property, there are some things that an inspector cannot see. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get an inspection, but it’s essential to keep in mind that the report is not a guarantee of the future condition of the property.
If you have specific concerns about a particular area of the house, you might want to consult with a specialist in that field. And remember, even if the inspector didn’t find anything wrong with the house, there could still be hidden damage or problems that arise in the future.
