What is Included in a Home Inspection in Texas?
In Texas, home inspectors are licensed and regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). TREC has set forth the requirements of a residential home inspection. The standard home inspection will cover almost every system in the home. It covers the following systems:
Structural Systems
Foundation
Grading and Drainage
Roof covering
Roof Structure and Attic
Walls
Ceilings and Floors
Doors
Windows
Fireplace/Chimney
Porches/Decks/Carports
Electrical
Service Entrance and Panels
Branch Circuits
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Sytems
Heating Equipment
Cooling Equipment
Ducts and Vents
Plumbing Systems
Water Supply System and Fixtures
Drains, Wastes, Vents
Water Heating Equipment
Gas System
Hydrotherapy Equipment
Appliances
Dishwasher
Food Waste Disposal
Range Hood
Ranges/Ovens/Cooktops
Microwave Cooking Equipment
Bath Exhaust Fans and/or Heaters
Garage Door Operators
Dryer Vents
Optional Systems
Lawn Sprinklers
Swimming Pools and Equipment
Outbuildings
Water Wells
Septic Systems
All of the above systems (with the exception of the Optional systems) are required to be inspected if they are present. NOTE: If a particular item or system is not accessible, it will not be inspected, and will be so noted on the inspection report.
Once the inspector has completed the inspection, he or she will produce a written report which is normally delivered to the client via email. The report will contain information (and most often photos) explaining the inspector's findings.
Here are some things to keep in mind when reading your home inspection report.
- Almost every home has some deficiencies, and often, the majority of these deficiencies are minor or related to newer building standards that may not have been in place when the home was built.
- It is not uncommon to have ten or more items marked as deficient on a home inspection report – even when the home is in good condition.
- Home inspectors do not have x-ray vision, and they cannot predict the future. There are many parts of a home such as under carpet, inside walls, and behind furnishings that cannot be seen or inspected. Although its rare, an item that is functioning today could stop working tomorrow, and your home inspector often has no way of knowing that something is about to stop working.