Home Inspection Scope

A typical home inspection entails about 2 to 3.5 hours of on site time depending on size, age, and condition of the building. The report will compiled elsewhere and emailed directly to the client.

I also include with my full NYS licensed home inspections; thermal imaging, wood destroying insect inspection, and if present well equipment, and/or basic waste disposal evaluation.

Optional water testing and radon testing are available.

Optional detached buildings such as garages, cottages, barns, studios, and sheds are available.

My full inspections adhere to the New York State licensing law code of ethics, regulations, and standards of practice. Below is an overview as to what is typically part of a home inspection – Every property and situation is unique.

Site Conditions

Trees and vegetation that adversely affect the residential building;

The building perimeter for land grade and water drainage directly adjacent to the foundation;

Walkways, steps, driveways, patios and retaining walls.

Structural Systems

Any deteriorated and/or damaged structural component including the building foundation and framing;

The floor structure;

The wall structure;

The ceiling structure;

The roof structure.

Exterior

All exterior walls and coverings, flashing and trim;

All exterior doors including garage doors and operators;

All attached or adjacent decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches and railings;

All eaves, soffits and fascias where accessible from the ground level;

All adjacent walkways, patios and driveways on the subject property;

The condition of a representative number of windows.

Roof Systems

Roofing materials and condition;

Roof drainage systems;

Flashing;

Skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations.

Plumbing Systems

Interior water supply and distribution systems including fixtures and faucets;

Drain, waste and vent systems;

Water heating equipment and vents and pipes;

Fuel storage and fuel distribution systems and components;

Drainage sumps, sump pumps, ejector pumps and related piping;

Active leaks.

Fixtures and faucets;

Domestic hot water systems;

Drain pumps and waste ejectors pumps;

The water supply at random locations for functional flow;

Waste lines from random sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage;

Electrical Systems

Service entrance conductors, cables and raceways;

The main and branch circuit conductors for property over current protection and condition by visual observation after removal of the readily accessible main and sub electric panel covers;

Service grounding;

Interior components of service panels and sub-panels;

A representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles;

A representative number of ground fault circuit interrupters.

Amperage and voltage rating of the service;

The location of main disconnects and sub-panels;

The presence of aluminum branch circuit wiring;

The presence or absence of smoke detectors and carbon monox- ide detectors;

The general condition and type of visible branch circuit conductors that may constitute a hazard to the occupant or the residential building by reason of improper use or installation of electrical components.

Heating Systems

Describe the type of fuel, heating equipment and heating distribution system;

Operate the systems using thermostats;

Open readily accessible and operable access panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance;

Observe and report on the condition of normally operated controls and components of the systems;

Observe and report on visible flue pipes, dampers and related components for functional operation;

Observe and report on the presence of and the condition of a rep- resentative number of heat sources in each habitable space of the resi- dential building;

Observe and report on the operation of fixed supplementary heat units;

Observe and report on visible components of vent systems, flues and chimney

Air Conditioning Systems

Observe, describe and report on the type of air conditioning equipment and air conditioning distribution system;

Operate the system using the thermostat;

Open a representative number of readily accessible and operable access panels provided by the manufacturer for routine homeowner maintenance;

Observe and report on the condition of normally operated con- trols and components of the system.

Interior

Observe and report on the material and general condition of walls, ceilings and floors;

Observe and report on steps, stairways and railings;

Observe, operate and report on garage doors, garage door safety devices and garage door operators;

Where visible and readily accessible, observe and report on the bath and/or kitchen vent fan ducting to determine if it exhausts to the exterior of the residential building;

Observe, operate and report on a representative number of primary windows and interior doors;

Observe and report on visible signs of water penetration.

Insulation and Ventilation

Observe, describe and report on insulation in accessible, visible unfinished spaces;

Observe, describe and report on ventilation of accessible attics and foundation areas;

Observe and report on mechanical ventilation systems in visible accessible areas.