By Barry Stone
Dear Barry:
In a previous column, you downplayed the advantages of having structural engineers perform home inspections. You stated, "To limit the scope of a home inspection to purely structural considerations drastically reduces the accepted standards of practice for a physical inspection." Shouldn't you clarify that structural problems are also a concern and that an engineer's inspection may also be needed? -Peter, Structural Engineer
Dear Peter,
The article in question was not meant to minimize the importance of structural considerations during a home inspection or to demean the professional integrity of engineers in general. Rather, it was to clarify a common misconception with regard to the purpose and intent of an inspection. Finding and disclosing evidence of structural problems is certainly within the scope of a home inspection, and where evidence of structural failure or related damage is apparent, a home inspector should recommend further evaluation by a licensed structural engineer.
Some home buyers, however, wrongly assume that structural analysis is the primary focus of a home inspection. They hire an inspector purely for assurance of the structural integrity of a home. In the real world of property defects, structural problems actually occur in a small minority of cases. On the other hand, problems involving the electrical, plumbing and heating systems, roofing, fireplaces and other safety concerns can be found to greater or lesser degrees in all homes. Understanding this basic premise provides home buyers with a broader view of the scope and purpose of a home inspection.
Home inspectors come from various professional backgrounds. Some were general contractors, plumbers, framers, electricians, architects and yes, even structural engineers. All of these professions provide meaningful starting points for a career in home inspection. But none provides all the knowledge that is necessary to conduct a full, detailed property evaluation. Engineers, as much as general contractors, must expand their knowledge base and develop the specific skills of forensic investigation when transitioning into the highly specialized field of home inspection.
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