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WHAT IS THE INSPECTOR’S ROLE? (or, “Who’s On First?”)
Answer:
The inspector’s responsibility is to the client, who has sole ownership of the report. The client is
usually the home buyer. Sometimes the client is the seller, if conducting a pre-listing inspection.
The inspector will not discuss or provide the report to any other parties unless specifically
requested by the client.
The inspector has no authority to require that anything be fixed or corrected. The inspector’s role
is to make the client aware, in order to determine future actions and expectations.
Objectivity is very important, so that the inspector provides a fair report on the condition of the
home and its systems. It is up to the inspector to identify what is a minor imperfection, what is a
significant defect, and to appropriately inform the client. The end product of the inspection is an
informed client.
HOW IS AN INSPECTION DIFFERENT FROM AN APPRAISAL?
Answer:
A home inspector visually investigates the physical condition of the house, watching for structural
and functional problems. The inspector identifies how it is built (e.g. building material and type of
heat) and how the various functional systems work. Your inspector will look in places the
appraiser may not, such as the attic, crawl space, and inside the electric service panel.
An appraiser is focused on determining the dollar value of the house, taking into consideration the
marketability, sales environment, location, and recent selling prices for similar homes.
To oversimplify, the appraiser evaluates what the house is worth; the inspector evaluates its
functional condition.
WHAT IS THE BUYER’S (CLIENT'S) ROLE? (or, “What’s On Second?”)
Answer:
Clients are encouraged to observe and discuss the inspection as it is being conducted, in order to
gain the best understanding of the home and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions. If
the client is not able to participate in the entire inspection, we can review the most significant items
during the last hour of the inspection. This facilitates sharing the important information onsite
while saving some time for the client. Either way, you will receive the same in-depth report
document.
