Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION?
"The purpose of a home inspection is to assess the condition of the residence at the time of the inspection using visual observations, simple tools and normal homeowner operational controls; and to report deficiencies of specific systems and components. Inspectors must perform all inspections in compliance with the Standards of Practice set forth by the Washington state department of licensing.
A home inspection is not technically exhaustive and does not identify concealed conditions or latent defects. This SOP is applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their attached garages or carports."
Washington Administrative Code 308-408C-010
LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR ( NO. 61012167): Our inspectors are licensed by the State of Washington, Certified Professional Inspectors and members of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).
NOT TECHNICALLY EXHAUSTIVE: A number of things limit the scope of our inspections. We are not able to move a homeowner's personal belongings, we cannot see through walls, we can't see behind or beneath large furniture, we can't remove insulation or carpet, etc. This list is not comprehensive. Here's a list of exclusions and limitations provided by the State of Washington WAC 308-408C-030.
VISUAL OBSERVATIONS: We can only see what we see. We do carry some tools, like a moisture meter and a thermometer to verify problems we see, but we can only use these tools to verify visually apparent defects. We can only test fixtures, appliances, etc. using normal operator controls. Our inspections are not comprehensive or diagnostic in nature. We think the State of Washington sums it up nicely here WAC 308-408C-010, this summary is not comprehensive.
DOES NOT IDENTIFY CONCEALED CONDITIONS OF LATENT DEFECTS: We aren't going to tear out the seller's floor coverings to verify the condition of the sub-floor. We aren't going to tear shingles off the roof to check the underlayment, and we aren't going to dig up the footing to ensure it was laid correctly. This list is representative, not comprehensive, there are a lot of other things we won't do. We will, however, follow the Washington State SOP and the InterNACHI code of ethics to provide you a quality home inspection.
No. No home inspector can guarantee that your home is 100% problem free by conducting a limited visual inspection. We cannot even guarantee that we will find every problem in the home on the day of your inspection.
Our Honor IS guaranteed by InterNACHI. We promise honesty. We promise to utilize our training to provide you a quality inspection detailing any problems we do find while conducting a limited visual inspection, in full compliance with the InterNACHI Code of Ethics, and the Washington State Standards of Practice for home inspectors.
IS A HOME INSPECTION A GUARANTEE MY HOUSE IS PERFECT?
IS A PRE-OFFER CONSULTATION A HOME INSPECTION ?
NO. A Pre-offer consultation is NOT a home inspection WAC 308-408-010 (10). We recommend that ALL of our Pre-offer consultation clients exercise their home inspection contingency upon having an offer accepted.
"'Preoffer consultation' is a verbal report that is limited in scope performed by a licensed home inspector. A preinspection agreement must be signed by the client and describe the limited scope of the consultation. This preoffer consultation is conducted only prior to mutual acceptance." WAC 308-408-010 (10)
A preoffer consultation is an opportunity for you to walk through a home with a Certified Professional Inspector before making an offer. We can look around the home for obvious major defects, and answer any questions you may have which we are qualified to answer. That's It.
A Pre-offer consultation IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A HOME INSPECTION.
We will carry no tools, we won't get on the roof, we won't open the electric panel, we won't test receptacles, we won't access the crawlspace or attic, etc. We will not perform a home inspection during your pre-offer consultation, there will be no inspection report. A CONSULTATION IS NOT A HOME INSPECTION.
WILL YOU ENSURE OUR HOUSE IS UP TO CODE?
No. A home inspection is not a code inspection. We are not code inspectors.