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Don't
accept my word that you need to have a home inspection.
What does the State of North Carolina say?
This is a reproduction of the
actual document,
adjusted to make it easier to read with links added.
For actual pictures of the brochure, click on the cover |
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For most persons,
purchasing a home is the largest investment they will ever make. It
is no wonder then that many homebuyers employ professionals to inspect
the structural and mechanical systems of the home and report to them
on their condition. Sometimes sellers also employ Home Inspectors to
alert them to problems with their homes which could arise later in
the transaction. But normally Home Inspectors are employed by
buyers. For this reason, this brochure is written from the viewpoint
of the potential homebuyer.
This brochure is a joint publication of the
North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board and the North Carolina
Real Estate Commission designed to give consumers a better
understanding of the home inspection process. What a home inspection
is, who can perform an inspection and what to expect. If you have
further questions regarding home inspections and Home Inspectors,
you should contact the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure
Board, 410 North Boylan Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27063, Phone
919/715-0991. |
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| Q:
What is a home inspection? |
| A:
It is an evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and
components of a home (plumbing systems, roof, etc.) and is intended
to give the client (usually a homebuyer) a better understanding of
their condition. It is also important to know what a home inspection
is not! It is not an appraisal of the property's value; nor should
you expect to address the cost of repairs. It does not guarantee
that the home complies with local building codes (which are subject
to periodic change) or protect you in the event an item inspected
fails in the future. [Note: Warranties can be purchased to cover
many items.] Nor should it be considered a "technically
exhaustive" evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the
property on the day it is inspected, taking into consideration
normal wear and tear. |
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| Q:
Can anyone perform a home inspection? |
| A:
No. Only persons licensed by the North Carolina Home Inspections
Licensure Board are permitted to perform home inspections for
compensation. To qualify for licensure, they must satisfy certain
education and experience requirements and pass a state examination.
Their inspections must be conducted in accordance with the Board's Standards
of Practice and Code of Ethics. |
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| Q:
Why should I have a home inspection? |
| A:
Most homebuyers lack the knowledge, skill and emotional
detachment needed to inspect homes themselves. By using the services
of a licensed Home Inspector, they can gain a better understanding
of the condition of the property, especially whether any items do
not "function as intended" or "adversely affect the
habitability of the dwelling" or "warrant further
investigation" by a person who specializes in the item in
question. |
| Q:
In my home purchase I have chosen to sign the standard Offer to
Purchase and Contract* form which many real estate and legal
professionals use. It states that I have the right to have a home
inspection and the right to request that the seller repair
identified problems with the home. Will home inspections identify
all of these problems? |
| A:
Yes and No. Home Inspectors typically evaluate structural components
(floors, walls, roofs, chimneys, foundations, etc.), mechanical
systems (plumbing, electrical, heating/air conditioning, installed
appliances and other major components of the property. The Home
Inspector Licensure Board's Standards of
Practice
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| *Jointly
approved and copyrighted by the North Carolina Association of
REALTORS® and the North Carolina Bar Association. |
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| do not require
Home Inspectors to report on: wood-destroying insects, environmental
contamination, pools and spas, detached structures and certain other
items listed in the Offer to Purchase and Contract form.
Always ask the Home Inspector if he covers all the things which are
important to you. If not, it is your responsibility to arrange for
an inspection of these items by the appropriate professionals. For a
description of the services to be provided by the Home Inspector
(and their cost), you should read carefully the written
contract which the Home Inspector must give you and which you
must sign before the Home Inspection can be performed. |
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| Q:
How do I request a home inspection, and who will pay for it? |
| A: You can
arrange for the home inspection or ask your real estate agent to
assist you. Unless you otherwise agree, you will be responsible for
payment of the home inspection and any subsequent inspections. If
the inspection is to be performed after you have signed the purchase
contract, be sure to schedule the inspection as soon as possible to
allow adequate time for any repairs to be performed.
Continued |
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| Q:
Should I be present when the home inspection is performed? |
| A: Whenever
possible, you should be present. The inspector can review with you
the results of the inspection and point out any problems found.
Usually the inspection of the home can be completed in two to three
hours (the time can vary depending upon the size and age of the
dwelling). The Home Inspector must give you a written report of the
home inspection within three business days after the inspection is
performed (unless otherwise stated in your contract with the Home
Inspector). The home inspection report is your property. The Home
Inspector may only give it to you and may not share it with other
persons without your permission. |
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| Q:
Are all inspection reports the same? |
| A:
No. While the Home Inspector Licensure Board has established a
minimum requirement for report-writing, reports can vary greatly.
They can range for a "checklist" of the systems and
components to a full narrative evaluation or any combination of the
two. Home Inspectors are required to give you a written
"Summary" of their inspection identifying any system or component
that does not function as intended, or adversely affects the habitability
of the dwelling, or appears
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| to
warrant further investigation by a specialist. The summary does not
necessarily include all items that have been found to be defective
or deficient. Therefore, do not read only the summary.
Carefully read and understand the entire home inspection report. |
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| Q:
What should I do if I feel something has been missed on the
inspection? |
| A:
Before any repairs are made (except emergency repairs), call the
inspector or inspection company to discuss the problem. Many times a
"trip charge" can be saved by explaining the problem to
the inspector who can answer the question over the telephone. This
also gives the inspector a chance to promptly handle any problems
that may have been overlooked in the inspection. |
| Q:
If, following the home inspection, the seller repairs an item found
in the home inspection, may I have the Home Inspector perform a
"re-inspection:? |
| A:
Yes. Some repairs may not be as straightforward as they might seem.
The inspector may be able to help you evaluate the repair, but you
should be aware that the re-inspection is not a warranty of the
repairs that have been made. Some Home Inspectors charge a fee for
re-inspections. |
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North Carolina
Home Inspector Licensure Board
410 N. Boylan Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
919/715-0091
The North
Carolina
Real Estate Commission
P.O. Box 17100
Raleigh, North Carolina 27619-7100
919/875-3700
Web Site: www.ncrec.state.nc.us
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