Page Title

HANDS ON
HOME INSPECTIONS LLC

Inspecting Central New York...one home at a time

What we inspect

According to New York State law the house comprises nine components that the home inspector is to
inspect.
'Hands On' ensures that ALL of these components, and more, are inspected and we encourage you to join
us in the inspection process. This gives you the opportunity to see what we see, and ask any question that
you may have.

Components of the Home Inspection
Grounds and lots
Exterior of the building
Interior of the building
Plumbing
Heating
Electrical
Roof
Accessible attics
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Garage
Basements/crawlspace

A Home inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of a residential dwelling, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify
observed material defects within specific components of said dwelling. Components may include any combination of mechanical,
structural, electrical, plumbing, or other essential systems or portions of the home, as identified and agreed to by the Client and
Inspector, prior to the inspection process.

1. A home inspection is intended to assist in evaluation of the overall condition of the dwelling. The inspection is based on observation
of the visible and apparent condition of the structure and its components on the date of the inspection and not the prediction of future
conditions.
2. A home inspection will not reveal every concern that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the day of
the inspection.

A Material defect is a condition with a residential real property or any portion of it that would have a significant adverse impact on the
value of the real property or that involves an unreasonable risk to people on the property. The fact that a structural element, system or
subsystem is near, at or beyond the end of the normal useful life of such a structural element, system or subsystem is not by itself a
material defect.

An Inspection report shall describe and identify in written format the inspected systems, structures, and components of the dwelling
and shall identify material defects observed. Inspection reports may contain recommendations regarding conditions reported or
recommendations for correction, monitoring or further evaluation by professionals, but this is not required.

Definitions and Scope of a Home Inspection
(as found on www.nachi.org/sop.htm)

Average life span of household components

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how long certain appliances or components within the house may last as there are certain variables to
take into consideration when determining life spans. Factors such as the quality of installation, weather conditions, level of use, etc…
could extend the life of household components while others may not last long at all due to poor upkeep and extensive use. There are
also certain appliances that come with a manufactured date on a sticker or data plate but may not be installed until a year or two later.
Bearing this in mind the following information is informative only and should be used as a general guideline for the average life
expectancy of a household appliance; and it is suggested that you do further research and analysis after reading the list below before
making any buying decisions.

Item                                                          Life Span (Years)                        Item                                                       Life Span (Years)

A/C and Venting:
Attic fan (gable)                                      1
Attic fan (roof)
Air-to-air heat exchanger
Ceiling paddle fan
Electric compressor
Exhaust fan (Bath)
Exhaust fan (Kitchen)
Gas chiller
Gas Unit
Ridge Vent
Twin roof top turbines
Window A/C
Wall unit A/C
Humidifier
Appliances:
Built-in microwave
Compactor
Cook top
Dishwasher
Disposal-kitchen
Oven and top (single and top)
Dryer
Freezer (compact)
Freezer (standard)
Instant hot
Microwave oven
Gas range
Refrigerator
Single oven and top
Stove
Trash compactor
Wall oven (single and double)
Washing machine
Boiler:
Cast Iron Steam
Cast Iron Water
Steel Hot Water
Zone Valves
Countertops:
Ceramic tile (high-grade)
Granite
Laminate
Marble
Wood/butcher block
Electrical:
60 amp fuse service
Knob and tube system
Exterior:
Asphalt driveway
Brick and concrete patio
Brick walls
Exposed Concrete
Exterior doors (exposed)
Fence
Garage doors
Garage door opener
Gravel walk
Paint, plaster and stucco
Screen doors
Sprinkler system
Swimming pool
Tennis court
Wooden deck
Footings and Foundations:
Cement
Concrete block
Poured footing and foundation
Termite proofing
Waterproofing (bituminous coat)
Heating:
Air bleed valve (automatic)
Air handler/motor
Atomizing humidifier
Barometric damper
Cast iron radiator
Circulator
Circular Pump
Clock thermostat
Combustion chamber lining
Compressor (Heat pump)
Condensate Pump
Condensing Type
Electronic air cleaner
Electric baseboard
Evaporative humidifier
Expansion tank
Fan relay
Feed and relief valves
Flame retention oil burner

Furnaces
Gas valve
Heat exchanger
Heat Pump Compressor
High Efficiency Type
Iron Boiler
Oil tank (New)
Pressure/Temperature gauge
Radiator valve
Stack relay
Steam humidifier
Steel Boiler
Thermocouple
Thermostat
Thermostatic radiator valve
Wall convection heater
Zone valve
Home Security:
Intrusion system
Smoke detector
Smoke/fire/intrusion system
Interior:
Carpeting
Cast iron bathtub
Drywall
Fiberglass bathtub and shower
Insulation
Interior door (hollow core)
Interior door (solid core wood)
Interior wallpaper
Kitchen cabinets
Medicine cabinet/bath vanity
Sealer, silicone, and waxes
Shower door (average quality)
Toilet
Vinyl sheet or tile flooring
Wooden floors
Plumbing:
Brass
Copper or PVC
Faucets --low quality
Faucets-- high quality
Galvanized
Galvanized Steel Pipes
Interior Pump
Jet Pump
Pressure Tank
Septic systems
Sinks (enamel cast iron sink)
Sinks (enamel steel sink)
Sinks (porcelain sink)
Storage Tank
Submersible Pump
Sump Pump
Suction Pump
Water heaters (Oil & electric)
Waste pipe (concrete)
Waste pipe (cast iron)
Roof Elements:
Downspout
Flashing (gutter)
Flashing (seal)
Gutters (aluminum)
Gutter (Seamless aluminum)
Gutters (wood)
Gutters (galvanized)
Gutter (Copper)
Flat (Rolled)
Metal
Shingle        (Asphalt)
Shingle (Asbestos cement)
Slate
Terra Cotta
Tile
Wood
Wooden shakes & shingles
Wooden shingles
Roofing:
Composition/Built-up roofing
Flat (Built Up)
Shower Pans:
Copper
Fiberglass
Lead
Siding:
Siding (wood)
Siding (steel)
Siding (aluminum)
Siding (vinyl)

References:
The information listed above was gathered, in part, from the following sources: NAHB Life expectancy Survey from Housing, facts and
figures; "1997 Housing Facts, Figures and Trends" published by the National Association of Home Builders;
http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=72475 (2007)

18+
10 - 20
5 - 30
10 - 15
20 - 30
30 - 50
40+
30+
20+
10 - 30
1 -15
30 - 50
10 - 20
20+
20+
15+
10 - 20

14
12
10

10 - 15
50
30 - 70
10 - 15
100+
30+
30+
7
50
20+
1 - 5
25
50
30
100+

40+
40+
13 - 15
15 - 20
40 - 50
40 - 80
10 - 15
10
20+
15 - 25
25 - 30
5 - 10
25 - 30
8 - 12
8 - 12
8 - 10
10
10 - 15
50 - 100
75 - 100

30
15 - 20
2 - 5
30 - 40
15 - 25
10 - 15
15 - 25
40+
8 - 12
20 - 50
15 - 30
40 - 60
50 - 100
60+
50
15 - 30
15 - 30
10 - 20

10 - 50
7 - 10

15 - 20
15 - 25
20 - 30

10 - 100
50+
20 - 50
50

10 - 20
10 - 20
15+
5 - 30
10 - 15
10 - 15
20 - 30
10 - 15
7 - 10
20
20
10 - 20
10 - 20
8

5 - 10
6 - 10
15 - 20
9
5 - 12
15 - 20
13
12
16
15 - 10
9
15
13 - 20
15 - 20
15 - 20
5 - 12
15 - 20
8 - 13

20 - 30
20 - 30
15 - 20
8 - 10

Lifetime
20+
10 - 15
20+
20+

40
Obsolete

10
24
100+
25+
25 - 50
12
20 - 50
10
4
3 - 5
20 - 40
12
18
10
20

50
100+
Lifetime
12
10

3 - 10
5 - 15
2 - 10
30+
40+
10 - 20
8 - 10
20+
30+
8 - 10
5 - 10
Unknown
10 - 15
15+
2 - 15
30+
10 - 20
20+
20+