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Virginia Administrative Code (Last Updated: January 10, 2017) |
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Title 18. Professional and Occupational Licensing |
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Agency 15. Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors |
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Chapter 40. Virginia Certified Home Inspectors Regulations |
Section 120. Certified home inspection contract
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Part IV. Minimum Standards for Conducting Certified Home Inspections
A. For the protection of both the client and the certificate holder, both parties shall sign a legible written contract clearly specifying the terms, conditions, and limitations and exclusions of the work to be performed.
B. At a minimum, the written contract shall include:
1. Name, business name (if applicable), business address, and telephone number of the certified home inspector.
2. Certificate number and expiration date of the certified home inspector.
3. Name of the clients.
4. Physical address of the residential properties to be inspected.
5. Cost and method of payment of the certified home inspection.
6. A listing of all areas and systems to be inspected, including those inspections that are either partial or limited in scope.
7. To the extent that any of the following categories are not covered by the home inspection, they shall be noted as exclusions in the inspection contract:
a. The condition of systems or components that are not readily accessible.
b. The remaining life of any system or component.
c. The strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component.
d. The causes of any condition or deficiency.
e. The methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
f. Future conditions including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components.
g. The suitability of the property for any specialized use.
h. Compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, including the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
i. The market value of the property or its marketability.
j. The advisability of the purchase of the property.
k. The presence of diseases harmful to humans or potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to, wood destroying organisms and mold.
l. The presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to, toxins, carcinogens, noise, asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, radon, and contaminates in soil, water, and air.
m. The effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
n. The operating costs of systems or components.
o. The acoustical properties of any system or component.
p. The presence of components involved in manufacturer's recalls.
q. The inspection of outbuildings.
To the extent any other items are not specifically included in the home inspection by agreement of the parties, they shall also be noted as exclusions in the inspection contract.
8. Expected delivery date to the client of the certified home inspection report.
9. Dated signatures of both the certified home inspector and the client or the client's authorized representative.
C. The certified home inspection contract shall make written disclosure that the certified home inspection report is based upon visual observation of existing conditions of the inspected property at the time of the inspection and is not intended to be, or to be construed as, a guarantee, warranty, or any form of insurance.
D. If the certified home inspector recommends a person to the client for repairs or modifications to the inspected property, the certified home inspector shall disclose to the client all financial interests that the certified home inspector has with the recommended person. The disclosure shall be written within the certified home inspection contract.
Historical Notes
Derived from Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2011.