Optimum Inspection follows the home inspection standards of practice

Excerpt from ASHI

The Standards of Practice are a set of guidelines for home inspectors to follow in the performance of their inspections. They are the most widely accepted home inspection guidelines in use, and include all of the home's major systems and components. The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are recognized by many government, professional, and legal authorities as the definitive standard for professional performance.

Introduction

The American Society of Home Inspectors®, Inc. (ASHI®) is a not -for-profit professional society established in 1976. Membership in ASHI is voluntary and its members include private, fee-paid home inspectors. ASHI's objectives include promotion of excellence within the profession and continual improvement of its members' inspection services to the public.

Purpose and scope

The purpose of these Standards of Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for private, fee-paid home inspectors who are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Home Inspections performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the Home Inspection.

provide the client with a better understanding of the property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection.

The Inspector shall:

A. inspect:

1. readily accessible systems and components of homes listed in these Standards of Practice.
2. installed systems and components of homes listed in these Standards of Practice.

B. report:

1. on those systems and components inspected which, in the professional opinion of the inspector, are significantly deficient or are near the end of their service lives
2. A reason why, if not self-evident, the system or component is significantly deficient or near the end of its service life.
3. the inspector's recommendations to correct or monitor the reported deficiency.
4. on any systems and components designated for inspection in these Standards of Practice which were present at the time of the Home Inspection but were not inspected and the reason they were not inspected.

These Standards are not intended to limit inspectors from:

1. including other inspection services, systems or components in addition to those required by these Standards of Practice.
2. specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately qualified and willing to do so.
3. excluding systems and components from the inspection if requested by the client.

General limitations and exclusions

General limitations:

A. Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice

1. are not technically exhaustive.
2. will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.

B. These Standards of Practice are applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their garages or carports.

General exclusions:

A. The inspector is not required to perform any action or make any determination unless specifically stated in these Standards of Practice,except as may be required by lawful authority.

B. Inspectors are NOT required to determine:

1. the condition of systems or components which are not readily accessible.
2. the remaining life of any system or component.
3. the strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component.
4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.
5. the methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
6. future conditions including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components.
7. the suitability of the property for any specialized use.
8. compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations, laws,ordinances, etc.).
9. the market value of the property or its marketability.
10. the advisability of the purchase of the property.
11. the presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans.
12. the presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water, and air.
13. the effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
14. the operating costs of systems or components.
15. the acoustical properties of any system or component.

C. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:

1. or perform any act or service contrary to law
2. or perform engineering services.
3. or perform work in any trade or any professional service other than home inspection.
4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.

D. Inspectors are NOT required to operate:

1. any system or component which is shut down or otherwise inoperable.
2. any system or component which does not respond to normal operating controls.
3. shut-off valves.

E. Inspectors are NOT required to enter:

1. any area which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components.
2. the under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are not readily accessible.

F. Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:

1. underground items including, but not limited to underground storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active.
2. systems or components which are not installed.
3. decorative items.
4. systems or components located in areas that are not entered in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
5. detached structures other than garages and carports.
6. common elements or common areas in multi-unit housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.

G. Inspectors are NOT required to:

1. perform any procedure or operation which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or it's systems or components.
2. move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture, equipment,plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
3. dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by these Standards of Practice.