What is a Home Inspection?

Buying, selling, building, or staying in the property you own, a property inspection just makes good sense! Understanding the condition of the systems and components of a house is critical when it comes to purchase, repair, or maintenance decisions.

A professional property inspection is an impartial third party visual evaluation of the physical structure, foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, roof, built in appliances, interior and exterior walls, doors and windows.

Upon completion, you will receive a State of Texas mandated formal report detailing the conditions of each element inspected.

The Texas licensing entity for inspectors, real estate agents, and warranty companies is: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/

Inspectors are required to perform inspections on certain components (as a minimum). This is known as the Standards of Practice and can be found at: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/pdf/rules/trecrules.pdf
(starts on page 75 under section §535.227)

Inspectors are required to use a certain report format to convey this information to the client: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/pdf/forms/insp/REI-7A-0-PropertyInspectonReport.PDF

What does an Inspection cover?

Professional inspectors operate the components of a home within their normal operating ranges.

Every function of a home should operate within normally accepted tolerances, such as:
 

  • Structural Systems
    • Foundation Opinion
    • Grading and Drainage 
    • Roof covering
    • Roof Structure and Attic
    • Walls
    • Ceilings and Floors
    • Doors
    • Windows
    • Fireplace/Chimney
    • Porches/Decks/Carports
  • Electric
    • Service Entrance and Panels
    • Branch Circuits
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Sytems
    • Heating Equipment
    • Cooling Equipment
    • Ducts and Vents
  • Plumbing System
    • Water Supply System and Fixtures
    • Drains, Wastes, Vents 
    • Water Heating Equipment
    • Hydrotherapy Equipment
  • Appliances
    • Dishwasher
    • Food Waste Disposal
    • Range Hood
    • Ranges/Ovens/Cooktops
    • Microwave Cooking Equipment
    • Trash Compactor
    • Bath Exhaust Fans and/or Heaters
    • Whole House Vacuum Systems
    • Garage Door Openers
    • Door Bells and Chimes
    • Dryer Vents
  • Optional Inspections (since these are not found in every home, they are not normally priced into the above inspection fess please inform your inspector if you want these inspected as well so that he or she can supply proper pricing. Your inspector may refer you to company specializing in these inspections.
    • Lawn Sprinklers
    • Swimming Pools and Equipment
    • Outbuildings
    • Outdoor Cooking Equipment
    • Gas Lines
    • Water Wells
    • Septic Systems
    • Security Systems
    • Fire Protection Equipment
  • Examples of additional inspections you may choose to perform on your anticipated purchase.
    • Wood Destroying Insect Inspection
    • Well and Septic Inspection
    • Mold Inspection/testing
    • Lead Paint Inspection
    • Water testing
    • Asbestos Inspection

All home inspectors are required to be licensed by the State of Texas and are requested to follow the Standards of Practices covering minimum inspection requirements set by the State.

Are the Codes part of this inspection?

The definition of codes is the minimum building practices allowed to make a structure safe, sound, and sanitary. To the extent that is allowed, obviously our standards and inspections are based on accepted practices. But a home inspection covering complete adherence to code is not possible due to the nature of the constraints of this inspection. Much of the structure is covered disallowing visual inspection. The inspection is non-invasive because the property may not be owned by the inspector nor by the client.

A true code inspection would encompass greater invasive procedures and would cost many times more than this inspection.

This inspection is termed a visual performance inspection and involves the components listed above.

"If the walls could talk" is always the wish, but inspectors are trained to "read" what the "walls" have to say.