4. Inspection

4.1  Objective

The objective of an inspection is to provide written communication describing the issues discovered from observations made and research conducted by the inspector, which, in the inspector's opinion, are likely to be of interest to his/her client, and to enhance the client's information and knowledge about the commercial property to improve decision-making for buying, selling, maintaining or improving the property.

4.2  Who May Perform the Inspection

Any portion of the inspection, including the walk-through survey, research and report-generation, may be performed by the inspector, his/her staff, or any consultant hired by the inspector.  This Standard recognizes that, for the majority of commercial inspections, the inspector is likely an individual with a general, well-rounded knowledge of commercial properties, and that the inspector or client may want to augment the inspector's skills with specialty consultants who have particular expertise in certain areas.  The decision to hire specialty consultants will, of course, rely on budget and time constraints, as well as the risk-tolerance of the client. 

4.3  Varying Levels of Due Diligence

This Standard is designed as a baseline from which the inspector and client can develop and agree to a scope of work that may deviate from this Standard, depending on budget, time constraints, purpose of the inspection, age of the subject property, and risk-tolerance of the client.  The level of due diligence should be set where the cost, in time and money, of acquiring information about the subject property will not likely exceed the value of that information.  Therefore, an inspection performed in accordance with this Standard will not be technically exhaustive. 

4.3.1  Sample Language for Use When Defining the Scope of Work

"The inspection will be performed in accordance with InterNACHI-CCPIA ComSOP, except that..."

4.3.2  Representative Observations

In recognizing that the client likely has the goal of acquiring information about the subject property at a cost, in time and money, that does not exceed the value of that information, representative observations are not just permitted by this Standard, but recommended, as well.

4.4  Uncertainty

The client should understand that no inspection report is completely accurate.  A report is only the written communication of the observations made and research conducted by the inspector.  The report contains those items which, in the inspector's opinion, are likely to be of interest to his/her client. 

4.5  Subjectivity

The client should understand that the inspection report is, to a large degree, the subjective opinions of the inspector based on his/her observations and research within the limits of access, time and budget, and without the aid of special equipment or meters, and without dismantling, probing, testing or troubleshooting, and without detailed knowledge of the commercial property, its components or its systems.  The inspection report is not much more than a subjective professional opinion. 

4.6  Not an Architectural or Engineering Service

An inspector performing a commercial inspection in accordance with this Standard is not practicing architecture or engineering.   

4.7  Not a Warranty, Guarantee or Insurance Policy

The inspection is not a warranty, and the inspection report is merely the written communication of the inspector's subjective opinion on the condition of the subject property.