State Of Florida Home Inspection Standards Of Practice

H&H Real Estate Consulting

61-30.801 Standards of Practice, General.

(1) Home inspections performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with information regarding the overall condition of installed systems and components of the home based on observation of the visible and apparent condition of the structure and components at the time of the home inspection and to report on those systems and components inspected that, in the professional opinion of the inspector, are significantly deficient or at the end of their service lives. A home inspection does not include the prediction of future conditions.

(2) These standards shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the inspection process in those areas where the inspector is qualified and/or has special knowledge.

(3) The inspector shall inspect readily accessible, installed systems and components of homes listed in these Standards of Practice by using normal operating controls and opening readily operable access panels. Where multiple instances of the same component exist, a representative number shall be inspected.

(4) The inspector shall inspect and report as required by Section 468.8323, F.S., when required by these standards, systems or components by their type and/or significant characteristics.

(5) If not self-evident to the client at the time of inspection, the inspector shall give a reason why, in his or her opinion, the system or component was reported as significantly deficient or near the end of its service life.

(6) The inspector shall make recommendations for correction and/or monitoring, or further evaluation of the deficiencies that the inspector observed.

(7) These Standards of Practice do not limit inspectors from:
(a) Including other inspection services, in addition to those required by these Standards of Practice;
(b) Specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately qualified;
(c) Excluding systems and components from the inspection if agreed upon in writing by the inspector and client.

61-30.802 Standards of Practice, Structure.

(1) Structural system and components include the following:
(a) Foundation;
(b) Floor structure;
(c) Wall structure;
(d) Ceiling structure;
(e) Roof structure;
(f) Posts;
(g) Beams;
(h) Columns;
(j) Joists;
(k) Rafters;
(l) Trusses;
(m) Other framing; and
(n) Ventilation of foundation areas.

(2) The inspector shall inspect all of the visible structural systems and components by probing structural components where deterioration is visible or suspected or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist. Probing is not required when, in the opinion of the inspector, probing would only further damage any area already identified as defective or where no deterioration is visible or presumed to exist.

(3) The inspector is not required to enter or traverse any under-floor crawl space or attic, if in the opinion of the inspector:
(a) An unsafe or unsanitary condition exists;
(b) Enter areas in which inadequate clearance exists to allow the inspector safe entry or traversing;
(c) The potential exists to cause damage to insulation, ductwork, other components or stored items.

(4) The inspector is not required to provide any engineering or architectural services or offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any structural system or component

61-30.803 Standards of Practice, Electrical Systems.

(1) Electrical systems and components include the following:
(a) Service entrance conductors, drip loop, cables, and raceways;
(b) Main service equipment and main disconnects;
(c) Service grounding;
(d) Interior components of main service panels and sub panels;
(e) Conductors;
(f) Over current protection devices;
(g) Readily accessible installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles;
(h) Ground fault circuit interrupters;
(i) Amperage and voltage rating of electrical service;
(j) Main disconnect(s);
(k) Methods or types of wiring;
(l) Smoke detectors;
(m) Carbon monoxide detectors;
(n) Arc fault circuit interrupters.

(2) The inspector shall inspect all of the visible and readily accessible electrical systems and components.

(3) The inspector is not required to inspect:
(a) Remote control devices;
(b) Security alarm systems and components;
(c) Low voltage wiring, systems and components, ancillary wiring and systems and components not a part of the primary electrical power distribution system;
(d) Generators, photovoltaic solar collectors or battery or electrical storage devices and associated equipment.

(4) The inspector is not required to:
(a) Measure amperage, voltage or impedance;
(b) Perform a load calculation;
(c) Insert any tool, probe, or device into any electrical component;
(d) Determine the accuracy of circuit labeling.