Home Buyer Education
What a Home Inspection Actually Covers
A home inspection is your independent, professional look at the condition of the home before you own it. Here's exactly what it includes, why it matters, and how the InterNACHI Standards of Practice set the floor we start from — never the ceiling.
What a home inspection is
In plain terms, a home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible systems and components of a home, performed for a fee, that's designed to identify the defects that are both observed and material to your decision.
InterNACHI Standards of Practice, 1.1
A general home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee, designed to identify defects within specific systems and components that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector — based on the conditions present on the day of the inspection.
Visual & non-invasive
Exactly We examine and operate systems with their normal controls — we don't cut into walls or move your belongings.was observed — photo-documented system by system, with clear severity ratings.
Readily accessible areas
Every accessible system gets eyes on it; areas that can't be safely reached are noted, not guessed at.
Material defects, documented
The report captures the defects that actually matter for your decision — observed on the day of the inspection.
Why It Matters
The purpose of a home inspection
For most buyers this is the largest purchase of their life — on a tight 10 to 15 day timeline. An inspection turns the unknown into a clear, prioritized picture you can act on.
01
Know before you owe
Walk into closing understanding the real condition of the home — not guessing about what is behind the walls.
02
Negotiation leverage
Documented, prioritized findings give you and your agent the footing to ask for repairs, credits, or a better price.
03
Safety first
Electrical, gas, and structural hazards are surfaced before they become your problem.
04
A maintenance roadmap
Beyond deal-breakers, you get a plain-English plan for what to watch and budget for over time.
The InterNACHI Standards of Practice
The 10 systems every inspection covers
The InterNACHI Standards of Practice define ten core areas an inspector examines on a standard home inspection. Here's what each one includes.
01
Roof
Coverings, gutters, downspouts, flashing, skylights, the chimney and other penetrations, and the roof's general structure.
02
Exterior
Wall coverings, trim, doors, windows, decks, porches, stairs, railings, walkways, eaves and soffits, plus grading and drainage that can affect the home.
03
Foundation & Structure
Foundation, basement, crawlspace and structural components — flagging water penetration, wood-to-soil contact, and signs of movement.
04
Heating
The heating equipment and its energy source, operated with its normal controls.
05
Cooling
The central cooling equipment, operated whenever temperatures allow it to run safely.
06
Plumbing
Water heater and TPR valve, supply and drainage, fixtures and toilets, and the main water and fuel shut-offs.
07
Electrical
Service entrance and panels, a representative set of switches, outlets and fixtures, GFCI/AFCI protection, and smoke/CO detector presence.
08
Fireplace
The accessible firebox, lintels, dampers and cleanouts — noting damage and missing smoke or CO detectors.
09
Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
Insulation and ventilation in the accessible attic and unfinished spaces.
10
Doors, Windows & Interior
A representative set of doors and windows, plus floors, walls, ceilings, stairs and railings.
The Floor, Not the Ceiling
The Standards of Practice are a consumer-protection baseline. They tell you the least an inspection must include — and the standard itself says the scope can be expanded and that no inspection reveals every possible issue. A good inspector starts there and goes further.
The minimum standard — not the maximum
The Required Minimum
The Standards of Practice
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A non-invasive, visual exam of accessible systems
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The ten core systems, observed and documented
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Material defects present on the day of the inspection
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A baseline every InterNACHI inspector commits to
How Tech Inspect Goes Beyond
Above the standard
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Thermal imaging included on every complete inspection
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Drone roof evaluation when the roof can't be safely walked
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A digital report with photos, video, and severity ratings
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A repair-request builder your agent can act on fast
WATCH
See the standards in action
A standards-based home inspection, walked through start to finish — the walkthrough videos play just below.
Why It Matters Who You Hire
The value of an InterNACHI inspector
Missouri does not license home inspectors, which means anyone can use the title. Choosing an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector is how you make sure there's training, a written standard, and accountability behind the report.
Tested & Trained
An InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector must pass the inspector examination and keep up continuing education every year.
A Written Standard
Every inspection follows the InterNACHI Standards of Practice — a published, consumer-facing baseline you can read for yourself.
A Code of Ethics
InterNACHI inspectors act in the client's interest: no kickbacks, no conflicts of interest, and they won't repair the homes they inspect.
Your inspector:
Sean Struckmeyer, InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector
Serving: St. Charles, Warren & Lincoln Counties
Setting Expectations
What a home inspection is not
Knowing the limits is part of getting real value from your inspection. We'd rather be upfront than oversell.
A home inspection is a visual exam of accessible areas — it won't uncover concealed or latent defects hidden behind finishes.
Not technically exhaustive
It describes condition, not market value. An appraisal is a separate service with a different purpose.
Not an appraisal
An inspection doesn't certify code compliance or determine insurability — those are handled by other authorities.
Not a code or insurance ruling
It reports conditions on the date of the inspection; it doesn't guarantee systems or predict future life expectancy.
Not a warranty or crystal ball
More Than the Minimum