Summer Street Inspections

Frequently Asked Questions

Are home inspectors licensed?

California does not currently license home inspectors. Anyone can claim to be an inspector, even if they have no experience or training. This makes it all the more critical to choose an experienced ASHI professional.

What about conflict of interest?

ASHI maintains a strict Code of Ethics that prohibits inspectors from having a financial interest in homes they inspect and prohibits serving more than one party in a transaction. Both ASHI standards and state law prohibit inspectors from performing repairs on homes they inspect.

Do new homes need inspection?

Absolutely. Defects in new homes are common, sometimes because the builder cut corners, sometimes because contractors were in a hurry and just forgot something.

Here are some conditions I’ve found in new or nearly new homes: improper materials used as foundation plates (expensive to fix); drains left unconnected so water just flowed under the house (out of sight, out of mind!); bath and kitchen fans opening in the attic (gotta put it somewhere); a grand entry staircase with the bottom step 1 inch too short (someone forgot houses have flooring); balconies installed over living rooms with no drainage and inadequate waterproofing (no extra charge for indoor moisture).

For a recent review of problems with new homes by Consumer Reports, read this article.

If a home or remodel project was inspected by the local building department, isn't it OK?

Not necessarily. Building inspectors are like highway patrol officers--their job is to enforce the law, but they are never going to catch every violation. How many times have you driven over 55 lately without getting a ticket?

Does an inspection show whether a house is "up to code?"

In most cases, no. An evaluation of code compliance may be relevant for a home under construction, or for a brand new home, but it is usually not feasible for an existing home. Since building codes are adopted as local laws, a true code inspection must be performed by an official of the building department.
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