Home Inspection Handout for Homebuyers

HOME INSPECTION HANDOUT

FOR HOMEBUYERS

1. How do I select a reputable home inspector?

The inspection contingency in the residential offer to purchase calls for a Wisconsin-registered home inspector. Ask your REALTOR

for a list of competent area home inspectors, or you can look online. You can confirm the home inspector’s registration with the

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services online at licensesearch.wi.gov.

2. Will the home inspector inspect every feature of the house?

No, the home inspector must inspect certain features required by state law and may inspect additional components and features

at the inspector’s discretion or by agreement between the home inspector and the inspector’s client.

3. Can I ask the home inspector to look at specific components and items?

Yes, as the home inspector’s client, you may request the home inspector to inspect specic components and items as long

as they are readily accessible. It may be best to make these requests in writing to avoid confusion.

4. May all the problem areas mentioned in the home inspector’s report be listed in a notice of defects for the offer to purchase?

No, the home inspection report will look at property conditions in a general fashion and may list many property conditions that

are not serious enough to fit the definition of a defect in the inspection contingency.

5. What does the home inspector include in the home inspection report?

The home inspector gives a comprehensive report that includes comments — good, bad and neutral — on all the different

components, systems and items the home inspector is required to inspect. The home inspector does report on the condition

of any building component, improvement or item that, if not repaired, will have signicant adverse effect on the useful life of

the item. The home inspector also notes any conditions that may signicantly reduce the functionality or structural integrity

of property components or systems, or that may pose a significant health or safety risk to building occupants. The home

inspector’s comments are based on the home inspector’s judgment on the day of an inspection.

6. How does the inspection contingency in the offer to purchase work?

In the offer to purchase, a buyer must evaluate whether there are any defects listed in the home inspection report to which the

buyer objects and wants the seller to x before the buyer will purchase the property. A defect, as dened in the offer to purchase, is a

structural, mechanical or other condition that would have a signicant adverse effect on the value of the property; signicantly impair

the health or safety of future occupants; or, if not repaired, removed or replaced, signicantly shorten or have a signicant adverse

effect on the expected normal life of the entire property.

7. Should I always give a notice of defects?

This decision is made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the circumstances and what is best for you. Your REALTOR

and your attorney can help explain the pros and cons of giving a notice of defects.

8. If the seller discloses a problem on the real estate condition report, may I include that on the notice of defects?

If a defect has been previously disclosed in sucient detail so that you are aware of the nature and extent, then you generally

cannot list the problem as a defect if you give a notice of defects under the inspection contingency.

4801 Forest Run Road

Madison, Wisconsin 53704

HOME INSPECTION CONTRACT

ROOFS

Skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations

Roof flashings, if visible

Other:

EXTERIORS

Windows — ( )/all windows per each side of the dwelling

Storm windows and doors

Shutters

Insulation presence and rating

Fences and privacy walls

Garage door openers

Outbuildings other than garages and carports

Window and door screens

Awnings and other seasonal window accessories

Locks and latches

Safety glazing

Recreational facilities

Visible insulation or vapor barriers in walls

Other:

PLUMBING SYSTEMS

Spas

Swimming pools

Determine water temperature

Other:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Low-voltage electric systems, such as outside lighting

Operate all installed lighting fixtures

Cable TV

Intercoms

Other:

INTERIORS

Paint, wallpaper and other wall coverings

Woodwork

Carpeting

Household appliances

Presence or absence of draperies, blinds and other

window treatments

Other:

HEATING SYSTEMS

Operate automatic safety controls

Ignite or extinguish pilot light

Electronic air filters

Uniformity and adequacy of heat supply to rooms

Other:

AIR CONDITIONING

Non-central air conditioners

Electronic air filters

Uniformity and adequacy of cool air supply to rooms

Electrical current drawn by the unit

Other:

INSULATION AND VENTILATION

Insulation R rating

Integrated venting equipment

Other:

INCLUDED/EXCLUDED INSPECTION SERVICES OR ITEMS

4801 Forest Run Road

Madison, Wisconsin 53704

As part of the home inspection of the property located at ,

the following items shall be included or excluded, as specified below, in the home inspection and the home inspection report.

INCLUDED INSPECTION ITEMS

HOME INSPECTION CONTRACT

SIGNATURE: DATE:

The following items shall not be included in the home inspection:

Furnace and all related components such as heating equipment and distribution systems; normal operating controls and energy

source; automatic safety controls; exterior surfaces of chimneys, ues and vents; solid fuel heating devices; and the presence of

an installed heat source in each room.

Roof and all related components such as roof coverings, including type, roof drainage systems, flashings, skylights,

roof penetrations, and signs of leaks or abnormal condensation on building components.

Chimneys and all related components such as flues and vents, exterior and interior surfaces.

Home energy audit items such as insulation ratings, window and door seals and tightness.

Other:

INCLUDED/EXCLUDED INSPECTION SERVICES OR ITEMS, CONTINUED

As part of the home inspection of the property located at ,

the following items shall be included or excluded, as specified below, in the home inspection and the home inspection report.

EXCLUDED INSPECTION ITEMS

4801 Forest Run Road

Madison, Wisconsin 53704

4801 Forest Run Road

Madison, Wisconsin 53704

A HOME INSPECTOR MUST

OBSERVE AND DESCRIBE:

A HOME INSPECTOR

IS NOT REQUIRED TO:

(1) FOUNDATIONS: type and condition of foundation. (1) FOUNDATIONS: (none)

(2) COLUMNS: type and condition of columns. (2) COLUMNS: (none)

(3) FLOORING SYSTEMS: type and condition of ooring systems. (3) FLOORING SYSTEMS: (none)

(4) ROOFS: roof coverings, including type, roof drainage

systems, ashings, skylights, chimneys, roof penetrations,

and signs of leaks or abnormal condensation on building

components. The home inspector must describe the methods

used to observe the roof.

(4) ROOFS: walk on the roong; observe attached accessories,

including but not limited to solar systems, antennae and

lightning arrestors; and observe internal gutter and downspout

systems and related underground drainage piping.

(5) EXTERIORS: wall claddings, including type; ashings and trim;

entryway doors and at least one window per side of a dwelling

unit; garage door operators, including whether any garage

door operator automatically reverses or stops when meeting

reasonable resistance during closing; decks, balconies, stoops,

steps and porches including railings; eaves, sots and fascias;

and grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways and retaining

walls that abut the dwelling unit. A home inspector shall operate

all entryway doors, garage doors, and at least one window per

side of a dwelling unit.

(5) EXTERIORS: observe storm windows, storm doors, screening,

shutters, awnings and similar seasonal accessories; observe

locks, latches or other security devices or systems; observe

intercom systems; fences or privacy walls; observe insulation or

vapor barriers in exterior walls; observe safety glazing; observe

garage door operator remote control transmitters; observe

geological or soil conditions; observe recreational facilities;

observe outbuildings other than garages and carports; and

observe trees, shrubs and other vegetation.

(6) PLUMBING SYSTEMS: interior water supply and distribution

system, including piping materials, supports, xtures, faucets,

functional ow and drainage, leaks and cross connections;

interior drain, waste and vent system, including traps, drain, waste

and vent piping, piping supports and leaks; hot water systems,

including water heating equipment, normal operating controls,

automatic safety controls and the exterior surfaces of chimneys,

ues and vents; fuel storage and distribution systems, including

interior fuel storage equipment, supply piping, venting, supports

and leaks; and sump pumps. A home inspector shall operate all

plumbing xtures, including their faucets and accessible exterior

faucets attached to the dwelling unit.

(6) PLUMBING SYSTEMS: state the effectiveness of anti-siphon

devices; determine whether the water supply and waste disposal

systems are public or private; operate automatic safety controls or

sump pumps equipped with internal or water dependent switches;

operate any valve except water closet ush valves, xture faucets

and hose faucets; observe water conditioning systems, re and

lawn sprinkler systems, on-site water supply quantity and quality,

on-site disposal systems, foundation drainage systems or spas;

observe the interior of ues, chimneys and vents, or solar water

heating systems; observe exterior plumbing components such as

water mains or swimming pools; determine water temperature;

and determine the proper sizing, design or use of plumbing

materials.

4801 Forest Run Road

Madison, Wisconsin 53704

A HOME INSPECTOR MUST

OBSERVE AND DESCRIBE:

A HOME INSPECTOR

IS NOT REQUIRED TO:

(7) ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS: service entrance conductors; service

equipment, grounding equipment, main over current device;

main and distribution panels, including their location; amperage

and voltage ratings of the service, including whether service

is overhead or underground; branch circuit conductors, their

over current devices and the compatibility of their ampacities

and voltages, including any aluminum branch circuit wiring; the

operation of a representative number of installed lighting xtures,

switches and receptacles located inside the house, garage and

any exterior walls; the polarity and grounding of all receptacles

within six feet of interior plumbing xtures, in the garage or

carport and on the exterior of inspected structures; the operation

of ground fault circuit interrupters; and the functionality of the

power sources for smoke detectors.

(7) ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS: insert any tool, probe or testing device

inside the panels; test or operate any over current device except

ground fault circuit interrupters; dismantle any electrical device or

control other than to remove the covers of the main and auxiliary

distribution panels; observe low voltage systems, telephones,

security systems, cable TV, intercoms or other ancillary wiring

that is not a part of the primary electrical distribution systems;

and measure amperage, voltage or impedance.

(8) INTERIORS: walls, ceilings and oors; steps, stairways,

balconies and railings; counters and all sink base cabinets;

a random sample of doors and windows; separation walls,

ceilings and doors between a dwelling unit and an attached

garage or another dwelling unit; and signs of water penetration

into the building or signs of abnormal or harmful condensation

on building components.

(8) INTERIORS: observe paint, wallpaper and other cosmetic

nish treatments on the interior walls, ceilings and oors;

observe carpeting; observe draperies, blinds or other window

treatments; observe household appliances; and observe

recreational facilities or another dwelling unit.

(9) HEATING SYSTEMS: the condition of all the following within

a permanently installed heating system: heating equipment

and distribution systems; normal operating controls and

energy source; automatic safety controls; exterior surfaces

of chimneys, ues and vents; solid fuel heating devices; and

the presence of an installed heat source in each room. A

home inspector shall operate the heating systems using

normal operating controls and open readily accessible access

panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine

homeowner maintenance.

(9) HEATING SYSTEMS: operate heating systems when weather

conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment

damage; operate automatic safety controls; ignite or extinguish

fuel res; observe the interior of ues, replace insert ue

connectors, humidiers, electronic air lters, or the uniformity

or adequacy of heat supply to the various rooms; and observe

a heat exchanger unless it is readily observable and normally

accessible to an occupant of a dwelling unit.

(10) CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING: the condition of the cooling

and air handling equipment, including type and energy source;

normal operating controls; and the presence of an installed

cooling source in each room. A home inspector shall operate the

central air conditioning systems, using normal operating controls,

and open readily accessible access panels provided by the

manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance.

(10) CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING: operate cooling systems

when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause

equipment damage; observe non-central air conditioners;

observe the uniformity or adequacy of cool-air supply to the

various rooms; operate electronic air lters; observe the

pressure of the system coolant or determine the presence of

leakage; and test the electrical current drawn by the unit.

(11) INSULATION AND VENTILATION: the presence or absence

of insulation in unnished spaces; ventilation of attics and

foundation areas; and the condition of kitchen, bathroom and

laundry venting systems.

(11) INSULATION AND VENTILATION: concealed insulation;

and venting equipment that is integrated with household

appliances.