Inspection Types:
Professional Engineering Inspections provides a number of
different inspection types to meet your specific needs. The more
common types of inspections are listed below. Custom inspections
with specially defined scopes can be performed at your request.
Foundation Only
Structural
Only
Structural\Mechanical\Electrical
Pools
and Spas
Roof Inspections
Quality
of Construction
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| Foundation
Only Inspection. This inspection is to evaluate the condition
of the foundation in order to provide information related to its condition
and provide an opinion as to whether or not it is in need of repair. The
data obtained and included in this report will provide insight into the
overall condition of the foundation and information that will assist in
maintaining it in the best possible condition during future years. Some
of the comments contained in the observations portion of this type of report
will be related to need for preventative maintenance. The scope of this
inspection includes visual observations of only those portions of the foundation
and structural components readily visible without moving or removing items
causing visual obstruction.
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Structural Only Inspection.
This type of inspection is intended to evaluate the condition of the foundation,
roof, and structure of the building in order to provide information related
to their condition and an opinion as to whether they are in need of repair.
The data obtained and included in this type of report will provide insight
into the overall condition of the property and information that will assist
in
maintaining it in the best possible condition during future years.
The scope of this inspection includes visual observations of those portions
of the foundation, roof, and structural components readily visible without
moving or removing items causing visual obstruction.
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| Structural Mechanical
and Electrical Inspection. A structural mechanical and
electrical or SME inspection is the most common pre-purchase combination and looks at all aspects of the accessible structure
in the same way that a structural only inspection will.
The purpose of the mechanical inspection is to visually inspect and
operate the built-in mechanical equipment observed on site and provide
an opinion of any deficiencies apparent at the time of the inspection.
The scope of this inspection includes visual observations of the mechanical
equipment and appliances without disassembly of any unit inspected and
without removing items causing visual obstruction. The functional equipment
is generally operated in at least one mode, but not necessarily every mode,
suited to demonstrate its condition. Special equipment present on site,
not normally encountered for the type of structure and/or not related to
operation of the structure may not be included without request, or if Professional
Engineering Inspections, Inc. is not familiar with the equipment. Estimated
cost of repair is provided for planning purposes only and may vary significantly,
depending on the extent of the problem and the method by which repairs
are made.
Electrical inspections generally consist of the visible electrical wiring,
circuit breakers, light fixtures, electrical outlets, light switches, and
visible wiring connections to the appliances. The purpose of the inspection
is to observe and point out visually apparent deficiencies in the electrical
wiring and equipment at the time of the inspection and to determine if
it is performing the function for which it was intended. A cursory evaluation
will be made to determine the adequacy of the capacity. There is no intent
to closely examine and evaluate each of the primary or branch circuits.
As a courtesy, for the purpose of planning only, a range of repair cost
will be provided. The scope of the inspection includes visual observations
of the electrical wiring, the main circuit breaker box, the visible wiring
at the attic, and connections to the electrical appliances. Observations
are made at the readily accessible light switches and electrical outlets.
The switches are operated to determine whether or not they are
mechanically functional. The readily accessible outlets are checked
with a plug-in circuit analyzer to determine if they are properly wired.
Only those items accessible without moving furniture, access covers, or
other items will be observed. It is specifically pointed out that routing
of circuitry, adequacy of wiring, and/or compliance with electrical codes
are not included as a part of this cursory inspection. Estimated cost of
repair is provided for planning purposes only and may vary significantly,
depending on the extent of the problem and the method by which repairs
are made.
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| Pools And Spas - The
property inspected generally consists of a permanently installed swimming
pool servicing equipment, the swimming pool basin and surrounding deck,
and the auxiliary maintenance equipment located on site. The purpose of
this inspection is to observe and operate the property listed above, and
only the property listed above, and to provide an opinion as to deficiencies
or need for repair apparent at the time of the inspection. The scope of
this inspection includes a visual observations of the swimming pool and
associated equipment, without disassembly of any unit inspected and without
removing items causing visual obstruction. The functional equipment is
operated in at least one, but not necessarily every, mode suited to demonstrate
its condition.
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| Roof Only -
The primary purpose of this inspection is to provide an opinion as to whether
the roof of the building is performing the function for which it was intended
or if it is in need of repair. In addition, the inspection will provide
insight into the overall condition of the roof and provide information
related to the normal remaining life expectancy. The scope of this inspection
will generally include visual observations of only those portions of the
roof components readily visible, without moving or removing items causing
visual obstruction. Observations are generally made at the exterior and
interior of the structure, including the attic, when possible, from the
readily accessible interior and the roof surface when accessible.
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Quality of Construction Inspections.
Our Quality of Construction series of inspections are normally
broken down into the three specific inspections listed below. On
some types of construction, additional inspection stages may be appropriate.
Foundation Quality Inspection: The purpose of this inspection
is to make visual on-site observations of the workmanship evident in the
construction of the building foundation. The information collected will
be used as a basis for an opinion of the apparent quality of workmanship
which will be provided in this report. A list of the observed irregularities
and suspected defects will be provided as a part of the report. There will
also be a separate list of some of the most significant irregularities,
even though the irregularities may not be very important. Most of the observed
irregularities will be in need of repair or correction to some extent,
but it is suggested that the extent and need for repair be discussed with
the general contractor responsible for the construction of the property.
The list of anomalies is not claimed to be the complete list of irregularities
that exist, but a representative list used to form the opinion which is
the basis for this inspection. On-site visual observations will be made
of the foundation construction preparations and installations with the
intent of determining the apparent quality of the foundation and the workmanship
related to the construction. This inspection does not include review of
the building design or design of any component of the building either completed
or planned as of the time of the inspection. The design of the building
is considered the responsibility of the builder and/or the engineer or
architect who prepared and approved the plans for construction. There is
no intent to determine if plumbing or other rough-in preparations are properly
placed with respect to the finish components of the building. Placement
of rough-in items is the responsibility of the craftsman and supervisor
responsible for the project. This inspection is normally performed when
the site preparations for pouring of the foundation concrete are completed
and the site is ready to pour.
Topout Quality Inspection - The purpose of this inspection is
to make visual on-site observations of the workmanship evident in the construction
techniques up to the point of completion at the time of this inspection,
generally including the exposed framing, roof, and plumbing. This stage
of completion is often referred to as "Top-Out". A list of observed irregularities
and suspected defects will be provided in the body of the report. The more
significant irregularities will be pointed out for your consideration.
These observations are made to provide a basis for the opinions which will
be stated in the body of this report. Most of the observed irregularities
will be in need of repair or correction to some extent, but it is suggested
that the extent and need for repair be discussed with the general contractor
responsible for the construction of the property. The list of anomalies
provided is not claimed to be the complete list of irregularities that
exist, but a representative list used to form an opinion as to the quality
of workmanship apparent in the building fabrication. On-site visual observations
of evidences of workmanship utilized in fabrication of the building normally
include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: the building
structure, evidences and consequences of differential movement in the building
foundation, the roof, site work, mechanical and electrical equipment installation,
and other aspects of the building fabrication process which have a bearing
on the overall quality of the building fabrication. Mechanical and electrical
equipment are not operated since they are generally not installed or are
not functional at the time of the inspection. The plumbing rough-in is
checked where visible.
Final Quality - The purpose of this inspection is to make visual
on-site observations of the workmanship evident in the construction of
a building, which will provide information as to the overall quality of
workmanship utilized in the fabrication of the building, with the most
significant irregularities being pointed out for your consideration. A
list of these observed irregularities and suspected defects will be provided.
These observations are made to provide a basis for the opinions which will
be stated in the body of the report. The scope of this inspection is on-site
visual observations of evidences of workmanship utilized in fabrication
of the building including, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
the building structure, evidences and consequences of differential movement
in the building foundation, the roof, finish work at the interior and exterior
of the building, site work, mechanical and electrical equipment installation
(including the built-in appliances), the insulation, and other aspects
of the building fabrication process which have a bearing on the overall
quality of the building fabrication. Mechanical and electrical equipment
is not operated since they are new and under warranty for an extended period
of time. The plumbing is checked and operated where possible. Inspection
for hazardous gases or materials, such as radon or asbestos, or for latent
defects in the roof, foundation, or structure, is considered beyond the
scope of this inspection. Our inspectors have not been trained to
detect such materials, and no tests are performed to discover any latent
defects in the foundation, structure, roof, or maintenance of the building
that may become evident after the owner takes possession of the building.
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| Important Tips:
If you are unsure about what type of inspection you may need, please
call us. We will be happy to discuss your specific needs and make
recommendations for your inspection requirements.
Examples of online inspection reports can be found on our Example Page.
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