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Legal Side of Home Inspections, Pt.2: Rights & Limitations


You’ve decided to check the condition of a house before buying or selling, which is why you want to call a Del Mar, CA, home inspection company to schedule a detailed assessment of your property. Once the provider arrives, they’ll check the structural elements and other key systems for signs of damage before recommending any necessary repairs.

But like with any other service, you should prepare for yours by understanding what your inspectors are allowed and what they aren’t allowed to do. That’s exactly what you’ll find out in this article. Keep reading to familiarize yourself with the rights and limitations of your house inspectors.

What are the inspection rights in CaliforniaWhat are the inspection rights in California?

Let’s say you’ve already hired a seasoned, highly knowledgeable professional to evaluate your house using a wide range of methods. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts they’ll follow when inspecting your property:

Do #1 – Investigate key systems

The primary duty of inspectors is to check the overall condition of a property. They do so by evaluating the following areas:

  • Roof: missing shingles, chimney damage, ventilation problems, etc.
  • Ceilings: leaks and discoloration
  • Walls: cracks, shifted framing, stains
  • Plumbing: faulty appliances, water backing up, discolored water, poor water pressure
  • Floors: mold, discoloration, buckling boards, and other types of water damage
  • Doors and windows: rot, decay, poor weatherstripping
  • Foundation: cracks
  • Electrical grid: faulty light switches and sockets, overheating, malfunctioning electrical panel, lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters

Do #3 – Inspect the house in the owner’s absence

While the owner’s presence is highly recommended, the owner doesn’t have to be in the house during the inspection. So, if your inspector says they can perform the service if you’re not home, don’t be alarmed.

Do #3 – Provide an inspection report

Once the inspection is over, your contractor will provide a copy of the inspection report. It includes the areas they evaluated as well as any issues they discovered, such as mold, structural instability, or potential electrical hazards.

Don’t #1 – Repair homes

Although house inspectors are experts in various home systems, they’re not allowed to repair any issues they come across. All they can do is list the problems that need fixing.

Don’t #2 – Provide personal opinions about aesthetics

A certified inspector should be professional in all aspects of their service. This means that they shouldn’t say whether or not they like the property. Even if you ask for their opinion about the aesthetics of the house, they should refrain from commenting.

Don’t #3 – Damaging the house

A trained inspector should be skilled enough to evaluate key systems without damaging them. For example, if they’re inspecting an electrical grid, they need to use devices that let them test the network without drilling holes or performing other invasive projects.

What is the statute of limitations on a home inspection in California?

The statute of limitations on a home inspection in California is four years. In other words, if you want to take action against an inspector due to a breach of duty, you can do so no later than four years after the service.

What is the statute of limitations on a home inspection in CaliforniaWhat is the leading Del Mar, CA, home inspection company near me?

Now that you understand the legal side of things, there’s no reason to postpone your inspection a second longer. Once you partner with The Inspectors Company, you’ll receive the most detailed evaluation of your property near Seagrove Park.

Additionally, if you have any other questions about inspection laws, like who regulates inspections in California, just dial our number and we’ll dispel any confusion to help prepare you for the service. Book today!