Not Every Problem

A homeowner may later find problems in their house that were not identified in the home inspection report. That’s because a home inspection will not reveal every problem that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects that were observed on the day of the inspection. The defect must be observed by the inspector and also deemed to be "material" as defined by the InterNACHI® Home Inspection Standards of Practice.

For example, imagine that there is a large crack in the foundation of a house. For the crack to appear in the inspection report as a problem in need of correction, the inspector must have:

1. observed the crack during the inspection; and also

2. deemed it (thought, regarded, or considered it) to be a material defect.

Both.