Basic Home Inspection Agreement
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Basic Home Inspection Agreement
By submitting the Home Inspection Order form, the client does hereby engage Centere, Inc., d/b/a Appraisal Centere of the Ozarks (hereafter company), to conduct a limited visual inspection of the structure at the address indicated within the Home Inspection Order form, for the sole and exclusive benefit of client.
1. Items Covered: Client agrees that company shall do a general inspection of the following areas:
EXTERIOR:
Landscaping, retaining walls, gutters, downspouts, sidewalks, and driveways (both the condition of and as they affect foundation drainage), roof, chimney, flashing and valleys (for evidence of water penetration, description of materials), siding fascia, soffit, walls, windows, doors, foundation, attached porches/decks/balconies/patios/garages (both structural and the condition of)
INTERIOR:
Plumbing System: water supply/drains/vents/water heaters (including energy source)/fixtures, and locating (but not testing) shut off valves
Electrical System: service drop, service panel, ground wire, GFCI plugs, switches, receptacles, installed fixtures, and smoke detectors
Heating/Cooling System: permanent systems, operating controls/filters/ducts, insulation, vapor barrier, and attic/make up air ventilation
Bathrooms/Kitchen/Other Rooms: doors/windows/walls/floors (as to general condition), cabinets, counter tops, and installed fixtures
Structure: ceilings/walls/floors, stairs/basement/attic/crawl spaces (if readily accessible) (as to evidence of water damage and general condition)
These systems shall be inspected only to determine if any are in need of immediate or major repair.
2. Items Not Covered: Client further agrees that the following are outside scope of this inspection:
Any area which is exposed to view or is inaccessible because of soil, walls, floors, carpets, ceilings, furnishings, lack of access or crawl spaces or any major system (water or electrical system, heating system or air conditioner) that is not currently functional is not included in this inspection.
The inspection does not include any destructive testing or dismantling. Client agrees to assume all the risk for all conditions which are concealed from view at the time of the inspection. This is not a home warranty, guarantee, insurance policy or substitute for real estate disclosures which may be required by law. Whether or not they are concealed, the following are outside the scope of the inspection:
- Building code or zoning ordinance violations.
- Geological stability or soils conditions.
- Structural stability or engineering analysis.
- Building value appraisal or cost estimates.
- Radio-controlled devices, automatic gates, elevators, lifts, and dumbwaiters.
- Furnace heat exchanger, freestanding appliances, security alarms or personal property.
- Specific components noted as being excluded on the individual system inspection form.
- Adequacy or efficiency of any system or component.
- Thermostatic or time clock controls or Low Voltage wiring systems.
- Water softener or water purifier systems or solar heating systems.
- Saunas, steam baths, or fixtures and equipment.
- Pools or spa bodies or sprinkler systems and underground piping.
- Prediction of life expectancy of any item.
- Out buildings
- Sprinkler systems
3. The inspection and report do not address, and are not intended to address, the
possible presence of, or danger from asbestos, radon gas, lead paint, urea formaldehyde, soil contamination, absence, presence or condition of buried oil storage tanks, pesticides, toxic or flammable chemicals, water or airborne related illness or disease, and all other similar or potentially hazardous substances, and conditions. The client is urged to contact a competent specialist if information, identification, or testing of the above is desired.
4. Confidentiality: The written report to be prepared by the company shall be
considered the final and exclusive findings of the company regarding the home inspection at the inspection address. The inspection report to be prepared for the client is solely and exclusively for the client’s own information and may not be relied upon by any other person. Client agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the inspection report and agrees not to disclose any part of it to any other person. Client may distribute copies of the inspection report to the seller and real estate agents directly involved in this transaction, but said persons are not specifically intended beneficiaries of this agreement or the inspection report. Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the company harmless from any third party claims arising out of the client’s unauthorized distribution of the inspection report.
5. Arbitration: Any dispute concerning the interpretation of this agreement or arising from this inspection and report, except one for inspection fee payment, shall be resolved informally between the parties or by arbitration conducted in accordance with the rules of a recognized arbitration association except that the parties shall select an arbitrator who is familiar with the home inspection industry. The arbitrator shall conduct summary judgment motions and enforce full discovery rights as a court would as provided in civil proceeding by legal code.
6. Limit On Liability: Client understands and agrees the company is not an
insurer, that the payment for the subject inspection is based solely on the value of the service provided. Client also agrees that any claim of failure in the accuracy of the report shall be reported to the company within five calendar days of discovery and that failure to notify the inspector within that time period shall constitute a waiver of any and all claims. The company shall have five calendar days to respond to the claim. If the company fails to satisfy the claim, liability shall be limited to a refund of the fees paid.
7. Neither the inspection nor the inspection report is a warranty, expressed or
implied, regarding the adequacy, performance, or condition of any inspected structure, system or item. Client acknowledges that condition of any inspected structure, system or item, is subject to change after report has been issued. The inspection and report are not intended to reflect the value of the premises, or to make any representations as to the advisability or inadvisability of purchase or suitability of use. The inspection and report are only intended to express the opinion of Centere, Inc., d/b/a Appraisal Centere of the Ozarks or its agent, based on a visible inspection of accessible portions of structure, systems and items, or existing conditions, at the time of inspection.
8. Payment must be received in full prior to start of inspection.
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