Why You Should Always Read a Home Inspection Agreement
Understanding What You’re Signing and Why It Matters
Before any inspection takes place, clients are required to review and sign a home inspection agreement. This document is more than just a formality—it outlines exactly what you can expect from your inspection and what your inspector is responsible for. At Home IQ Inspections, we want every client to feel informed and confident. Understanding the importance of reading your inspection agreement is key to a smooth homebuying process. Learn what’s covered, what’s not, and how it protects your investment with Home IQ Inspections.
If this is your first home inspection—or your first time working with us—it’s especially important to take a few minutes to review the agreement carefully. Many people assume a home inspection is similar to an appraisal or that it’s legally required for every home purchase. It’s not. However, a home inspection is one of the most valuable tools a buyer can use to protect their investment.
A common misconception is that a home inspector will uncover everything wrong with a property. In reality, a home inspection is a visual, non-invasive examination of a home’s accessible systems and components. Inspectors don’t tear into walls or ceilings, dismantle HVAC systems, or inspect areas that are inaccessible or unsafe. We’re also not there to provide specialized evaluations like mold testing, radon sampling, or pest identification—though we may recommend further investigation if we see something concerning.
This is exactly what a home inspection agreement is designed to clarify. It gives you a realistic understanding of what we’ll inspect, what falls outside our scope, and how we approach our work. It protects both you and the inspector by clearly setting expectations and outlining responsibilities.
What’s Included in a Home Inspection Agreement?
The agreement lays out key details of the service, including:
Scheduled date and time of the inspection
Cost of the inspection and when payment is expected (before or after the inspection). It may also include fees for additional items, such as detached structures, pools, or guest houses.
Scope of the inspection—what’s included, based on Florida state law and InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice, which we follow closely at Home IQ Inspections.
What’s excluded from the inspection. For example, unless agreed upon in writing, we don’t test for radon, mold, or asbestos, nor do we inspect areas that are unsafe or inaccessible—like a roof with no safe access or a crawlspace that poses a safety risk.
A disclaimer noting that the inspection is not an appraisal, doesn’t assess the market value of the home, and isn’t a guarantee of future performance or condition.
Legal language clarifying that inspectors aren’t liable for issues that are hidden, inaccessible, or arise after the inspection. The agreement may include wording like, “The inspector assumes no liability for repair or replacement of defects not reported, whether current or future.”
Who receives the inspection report and how it is shared, along with confidentiality and permission for authorized parties to access the report.
In some cases, a real estate agent may be authorized to sign the agreement on the client’s behalf, but we always recommend that the client read the agreement themselves, whether or not they’re present.
Why It Matters
Reading the agreement protects your investment. It gives you a full understanding of what you’re getting, what you’re not, and what happens if issues arise later. It also helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures you’re hiring a licensed, ethical inspector who follows professional standards. At Home IQ Inspections, we take pride in the clarity and professionalism of our service—from our reports to our communication to the agreements we ask you to sign.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. A home inspection can give you peace of mind—but only if you understand what’s being inspected, and what isn’t. That’s why reading the agreement matters.
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