Many of my clients call and ask what is included in their home inspection – and it is a valid question! You want to make sure that you are covered and that everything is covered to the best extent possible.

We abide by InterNACHI’s Comprehensive Standards of Practice for Home Inspectors – which is very thorough. When it comes down to it, there are too many components and items that we inspect to enumerate. This is because we work hard to be the most thorough home inspectors in the area.

But to help our clients understand the basics of what we inspect, the list below gives you a glimpse as to what is covered in your home inspection. Have questions? Contact us and I will be happy to help!

Roof Covering

• We walk roofs to inspect them. Some common-sense exceptions would be unsafe roofs, snow covered, etc.
• Gutters and roof drainage systems.
• Flashing.
• Skylights, roof caps, roof vents, plumbing vents, and other roof penetrations are inspected.

Chimney, Fireplaces

• Chimney crowns
• Chimney walls
• Chimney flashing
• Fuel-burning fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts.
• Fuel-burning accessories installed in fireplaces

Exterior

• Wall coverings
• Windows
• Doors
• Decks
• Balconies
• Stoops
• Steps
• Porches
• Guardrails
• Drainage and grading that is likely to affect the building
• Retaining walls
• Vegetation that is likely to affect the building
• Walkways
• Patios
• Driveways
• Foundation walls
• Vent terminals and air intakes
• Exterior faucets

Basement / Foundation / Structure

• Foundation walls
• Basement floor
• Crawl spaces
• Sump Systems, including the sump basket, sump pump, sump cover, and extension piping.
• Floor structure (posts, beams, joists, etc.)
• Basement insulation
• Signs of basement moisture

Electrical

• Exterior electrical components, including the service drop, service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.
• The main panel and any subpanels.
• Service grounding
• Interior electrical components, including the majority of outlets, switches, and lights.
• Ground fault circuit interrupters
• Arc fault circuit interrupters
• Smoke and CO alarms

Plumbing

• Drain, waste, and vent pipes
• Water distribution pipes
• The visible portion of the water main, which is the water supply pipe that brings water into the home
• Water heaters
• Water heater vents.
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Floor drains
• Sinks
• Toilets
• Tubs
• Showers
• Gas lines.
• Main gas and water valves

Heating

• Installed heating equipment such as furnaces, boilers, and space heaters.
• Furnace filters
• Ductwork
• Registers
• Vent connector and vent
• Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) or Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)

Cooling

• Central and permanently installed cooling equipment
• Temperature difference testing is used to determine if cooling equipment is operational
• Condensate disposal

Interior

• Ceilings
• Walls
• Floors
• Doors
• Windows
• Skylights
• Stairs, handrails, and guards
• Counters and cabinets
• Vent fans
• Kitchen appliances

Attic

• Framing and sheathing
• Exhaust fans and ducts
• Insulation
• Ventilation

Garage

• Overhead doors
• Garage door openers
• Doors, stairs, walls, floor, electrical, and more

For more information regarding the standards that Red Rock Home Inspections adheres to, please visit InterNACHI Standards of Practice.  To review our ethics, please visit:  InterNACHI Code of Ethics  For more information regarding the law as it pertains to home inspections in California, please visit: Business and Professions Code Section 7195-7199.

If you have any questions, please call me today.