1. Contract Terms and Disclosures:
* This contract encompasses all inspections agreed upon within the home inspection authorization form and performed by Beacon Home Inspection Services.
* Termite inspections are a visual inspection conducted at the time of inspection and as a courtesy are performed at no additional charge. Please be aware that this is not considered to be a full WDO inspection, we are not licensed to perform full WDO inspections and only the visibly accessible areas will be included. For FHA/ VA loans a full WDO inspection by a licensed pest control company may be required.
* Both parties acknowledge that only the terms explicitly outlined in this contract apply.
* Any modifications or waivers must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.
* The contract and the scope of your home inspection is governed by InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice (https://nachi.org/sop ) and conforms to all laws of the State of Florida.
2. Client Responsibilities and Approvals:
* The client or their representative must have secured all necessary approvals for entry onto the premises to be inspected.
* The client agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Beacon Home Inspection Services from any claims related to trespass on the inspected premises.
* It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that utilities are turned on during the inspection and that all areas of the home are accessible and ready for inspection prior to your appointment time.
* If utilities are not on, the property wholly or partially inaccessible and a reschedule is necessary, a $175 cancellation fee will be applied.
3. Inspection Scope:
* The inspection covers readily accessible and visible conditions of the interior/ exterior of the structure and related components.
* Related inspected components include central air conditioning/heating systems, interior electrical components, plumbing fixtures, foundation, accessible crawlspace, roof coverings, wall surfaces, floor surfaces, ceiling surfaces, and built-in kitchen appliances.
* The report does not obligate repair or replacement of defective items.
* Appliances, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing components can fail at any time. Your inspection report and comments made within are the inspector’s opinion and are not a guarantee of longevity of serviceability of any component.
* Your Inspection, report and all comments made within are in the opinion of the home inspector. Opinions between your home inspector and any contractors or handymen performing work on the property may vary greatly, especially when there are financial incentives for the need to repair or replace components. Any opinions by contractors which deviate from comments stated within your report should be brought to your home inspector’s attention prior to commencement of any repairs or replacement of components. Access for reinspection will need to be provided within 72 hours of discovery prior to any repairs or replacements.
4. Operational Versus Visible Conditions:
* The inspection is visual in nature and limited in terms of operational assessments of components. Water valves (especially gate valves) are not operated due to the high potential for the development of uncontained leaks.
* Service/ cover panels especially for HVAC equipment are beyond the scope of a home inspection and cannot be removed due to liability reasons not covered by our insurance. It is recommended that any air handlers over the age of 5 years have a further more invasive evaluation by a licensed HVAC contractor and that cleaning/ treatment with an anti-microbial be performed as the development of mold in these areas is probable.
* The inspector’s experience and opinions guide the assessment on all conditions whether it be operational, structural, environmental or otherwise.
* Stated estimated life expectancy on components within your report(s) takes into consideration age of components and observed deficiencies.
5. Old or Aged Components:
* Age of the home and components must be taken into consideration when reading your report. Minor to moderated cosmetic deficiencies is not included in previously lived in or dated homes.
* Components labeled as “old, aged, or dated” are operational but may require service or replacement soon.
* For water bearing appliances and components over ten years old, a more invasive inspection by a licensed appliance repair company is recommended.
* For areas or components marked outside of good condition, Beacon Home Inspection Services recommends attention from an appropriate licensed contractor.
6. Roof Inspection:
* During the inspection, Beacon Home Inspection Services cannot definitively determine if the roof leaks or is watertight unless there is visible evidence of a leak or leaks.
* Stated life expectancy is estimated and is not a guarantee against leaks or needed repairs during the time frame of the estimated life expectancy.
* The inspection focuses on visible material conditions only. In most cases no areas or limited areas of the underlayment (water barrier) will be visible.
* Opinions on life expectancy do not guarantee protection against roof leaks, and repairs may be necessary during the duration of the stated remaining estimated life expectancy.
* Estimated roof life expectancy takes into consideration the age of the roof and visible deficiencies observed during the inspection. For any roofing system over 10 years of age it is highly recommended that you have a more invasive evaluation with estimated life expectancy performed by a licensed roofing contractor prior to closing.
* Storm damage (wind, hail, debris) prior to or after closing is not factored into estimated life expectancy.
7. Exclusions from Inspection Scope:
* The inspection does not include code compliance assessment, soil or groundwater contamination evaluation, geological analysis, or adequacy evaluation.
* Ancillary wiring (landscape lighting, cable/satellite TV, intercom/sound systems, specialized control panels) falls beyond the scope of a general home inspection. It is recommended that you have the seller demonstrate operations for these types of systems at your final walk-through and or prior to closing.
* Removal of panels, covers, and cabinets on components (water heaters, HVAC equipment, appliances, pool equipment, whole-house generators) is also beyond the visual inspection’s scope.
8. Areas Not Visibly Observed:
* The inspection does not cover areas that cannot be visibly observed through a non-destructive, noninvasive inspection techniques.
* Examples include conditions visually blocked by personal belongings, conditions inside walls, crawlspaces and inaccessible attic areas, inaccessible areas may conceal, unsafe wiring such as knob & tube, cloth or aluminum wiring, plumbing type (polybutylene or galvanized supply lines and or cast-iron drain lines)
* Structural conditions may include but are not limited to wood rot, termite activity, and structural damage not readily visible during the inspection.
* Environmental conditions may include but are not limited to visible mold, unencapsulated lead paint and or asbestos substrates.
9. Special Systems:
* Operational conditions of solar panels, secondary heating sources, whole-house generators, pool heaters, and heat recovery systems require specialized or impractical time-consuming inspections and are beyond the scope of a home inspection. As a courtesy a visual inspection will be provided for these systems but it is recommended that these types of systems have a further more technical evaluation for proper operations and or efficiency by a licensed contractor prior to closing.
10. Margin or Tolerance:
* Beacon Home Inspection Services reserves a 5% margin or tolerance.
* Some conditions may exist without visible signs of deficiencies.
* Concealed conditions due to previous repairs or remediation (e.g., mold, asbestos, lead paint) should be disclosed by the seller on your seller’s disclosure.
* The seller’s disclosure form should be provided to the inspector at least 24 hours in advance so that we may review condition not readily visible prior to the start of your inspection.
11. Legal and Permits:
* The client is advised to seek advice from legal counsel or a licensed real estate agent/ broker regarding industry-standard seller’s disclosures.
* Checking for permits on additional construction, renovations or component replacements after the original date of construction is highly recommended.
* Assessments due from the city, county, or homeowners’ association are beyond the scope of a home inspection and are not included withs your home inspection a permit/ open permit search should be performed during your home inspection period.
12. Liability and Property Condition:
* Beacon Home Inspection Services assumes no liability for changes to occupied or unoccupied homes and structures. Changes to property conditions by disgruntled sellers or squatters are not guaranteed by Beacon Home Inspection Services.
* The inspection’s validity extends only until the inspector leaves the property and conditions stated in your report(s) are from the standpoint of (at the time of inspection) only.
13. Inspection Report and Payment:
* Payment of the home inspection fee entitles the client to receive one original computer-generated inspection report(s), including ancillary/ insurance inspection reports.
* The client can request that the report be sent to a third party (e.g., a real estate agent) on the home authorization form. You may forward your report(s) to anyone but due to liability reasons we can only provide reports to third parties with your expressed documented permission documented on your home inspection authorization.
* Accepted payment methods include check, cash, credit card, or Zelle.
* Reports are not written or delivered until payment is made in full.
* Your home inspection report(s) are nontransferable and cannot not be used by any third party for any real estate transaction or property transfer except by the signatory of this contract.
14. Legal and Public Records:
* The inspection does not cover any legal or public record-related conditions or records research.
* Buyers and their attorneys or real estate agent should perform due diligence regarding all zoning, permitting, all property records i.e. sellers’ disclosure and permit searches.
* For multi-family housing properties, it is recommended that you and your attorney/ real estate agent check all forthcoming assessments that may be due as well as any structural reports for the property. Structural integrity observations noted in your inspection report are for the unit(s) contracted and inspected only.
* The client releases Beacon Home Inspection Services from any claims arising that fall outside the scope of a general home inspection as defined by our governing body (InterNACHI’s) Standards of Practice. https://nachi.org/sop See indemnity clause below.
15. Indemnity Clause:
Signatory and all interested parties in this contract shall fully defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Beacon Home Inspection Services from any and all claims, lawsuits, demands, causes of action, liability, loss, damage and/or injury, of any kind whatsoever ( including without limitation all claims for monetary loss, property damage, equitable relief, personal injury and/or wrongful death), whether brought by an individual or other entity, or imposed by a court of law or by administrative action of any federal, state, or local governmental body or agency, arising out of, in any way whatsoever, any acts, errors and omissions. This indemnification applies to and includes, without limitation, the payment of all penalties, fines, judgments, awards, decrees, attorneys’ fees, and related costs or expenses, and any reimbursements to Beacon Home Inspection Services by the signatory, for all legal fees, expenses, and costs incurred by it.
16. Thank you for acknowledging the terms and conditions of the contract. Your understanding is duly noted. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to contact me prior to your home inspection.
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