FAQ
The Help Center
WHAT DOES A GENERAL PHYSICAL INSPECTION CONSIST OF?
An examination of the five major systems and components of the dwelling(s), parking structure, the interior and exterior, along with the immediate adjacent grounds.
The five major systems and components are:
Plumbing
Electrical
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Foundation
Roofing
The inspector will focus on material defects in these three categories:
Safety Hazards
Not Functioning Properly
At the Ends of Their Service Lives
For our definitions, scope, standards of practice, and exclusions, please click on this link: https://www.creia.org/creia-standards-of-practice
WHAT WILL MY REPORT LOOK LIKE?
Your inspection report is tailored to the property we are inspecting for you. It will include photos, descriptions, and details as to the safety, functionality or serviceability of the five major systems and components. Along with recommendations for further evaluation, specialty inspections, service, or replacement.
WHEN CAN I EXPECT MY REPORT?
The report will be emailed within 24 hours after the inspection is completed. If special arrangements need to be made, this can be discussed at the time of the inspection.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE INSPECTION?
We highly recommend that you attend your inspections so you can ask questions, discuss findings, see what the inspector is referring to in-person and not just in the report. You are not required to in order for the inspection to be performed.
If you are the buyer of a home or investment property:
This will be one of the very few opportunities to familiarize yourself with the home and grounds, garage and/or other structure(s). In fact, it may be the longest period of time afforded to a buyer to spend inside and on the property.
You are provided with the right to an inspection contingency period in your Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, your contract. It is a good idea to take advantage of it.
In the California Association of Realtors® Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory it states under Buyer Rights and Duties:
You should conduct thorough investigations of the Property both personally and with appropriate professionals.
From California Civil code 2079.5: Nothing in this article relieves a buyer or prospective buyer of the duty to exercise reasonable care to protect himself or herself, including those facts which are known to or within the diligent attention and observation of the buyer or prospective buyer.
If you are the seller of a home or investment property:
Being on site for your pre-listing inspection is important in case any questions arise from the inspector.
If you have any questions or concerns, it is important to have those answered at the time of the inspection, whenever possible.
If the inspector finds a significant defect, your inspector can show you and discuss it with you at the time of the inspection briefing.
DO ALL UTILITIES HAVE TO BE ON FOR A GENERAL PHYSICAL INSPECTION?
Yes. A complete general inspection cannot be performed if one or more utilities are not on at the time of the inspection. It is an additional cost and will be added time to the inspection process if the inspector has to come back out to complete the original inspection. It is a Seller’s duty to have all utilities on through to the date of possession.
In the contract, the California Association of Realtors® Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, under the Buyer’s Investigation of Property And Matters Affecting Property - section C it states:
“Seller shall have water, gas, electricity and all operable pilot lights on for Buyer’s Investigations and through the date possession is made available to Buyer.”
DO I NEED TO READ ALL OF THE REPORT?
Yes. The entire report is what a client pays for and it contains the results of the inspection. It contains photos, details and recommendations. Not only for items a client decides are key to decisions being made regarding a real estate transaction, but also for future decisions, maintenance and more. The inspection report contains valuable information on each page for one’s knowledge and use of the home or building overall.
The California Association of Realtors® Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory under Buyer Rights and Duties it states:
“You should read all written reports given to you and discuss those reports with the persons who prepared them.”
Please contact us directly for any questions you may have after reading your report. Please have your report at-hand when calling so it can be reviewed with you.
IS A HOME INSPECTION REQUIRED WHEN I BUY A HOME?
It is highly recommended as part of a Buyer’s due diligence in California. It is also provided as a standard right to Buyers in California.
California Civil code, the California Association of Realtors® Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, the Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory, and other Buyer advisories given to clients during a real estate transaction, advise performing investigations and professional property inspections as part of a buyer’s rights and duties. Because real estate is a major financial investment.
Sellers do not always know the condition of the home.
Most lenders do not require a home inspection; check with your lender and insurance company to verify if any inspections are required.
ARE HOME INSPECTIONS AND APPRAISALS THE SAME?
No, they aren’t the same. Inspections and appraisals are two different services:
An appraisal is an estimated value of the home, specifically done for the purpose of qualifying for a mortgage.
A professional home inspection is an unbiased report of the current physical condition of the home; an appraisal is not an examination and assessment of the current condition of the five major systems and components, interior and exterior. A true home inspection will not provide an estimated value of a home or property.
WHAT ABOUT MOLD?
If mold is visibly observable in one or more areas at the time of inspection, it will be noted in the inspection report.
The California Association of Realtors® “Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory” under the Mold Section states:
In addition, Mold is often undetectable from a visual inspection, a professional general property inspection and even a structural pest control inspection.
If Buyer wants further information, Broker recommends that Buyer have the Property tested for Mold by an environmental hygienist or other appropriate professional during Buyer’s inspection contingency period.