Inspectors are not required to:

(1) Determine the condition of any system or component that is not readily accessible; the remaining service life of any system or component; the strength, adequacy, effectiveness or efficiency of any system or component; causes of any condition or deficiency; methods, materials, or cost of corrections; future conditions including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components.

(2) Comment on the suitability of the structure or property for any specialized use, compliance with codes, regulations, laws or ordinances.

(3) Report the presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to, wood destroying insects or diseases harmful to humans; the presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to mold, toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water or air; the effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.

(4) Determine the operating costs of any systems or components.

(5) Determine the acoustical properties of any systems or components.

(6) Operate any system or component that is shut down, not connected or is otherwise inoperable.

(7) Operate any system or component that does not respond to normal user controls.

(8) Operate any circuit breakers, water, gas or oil shutoff valves.

(9) Offer or perform any act or service contrary to law.

(10) Offer or perform engineering services or work in any trade or professional service other than home inspection.

(11) Offer or provide warranties or guarantees of any kind unless clearly explained and agreed to by both parties in a preinspection agreement.

(12) Determine the existence of or inspect any underground items including, but not limited to, underground storage tanks or sprinkler systems.

(13) Inspect decorative items, or systems or components that are in areas not entered in accordance with the SOP.

(14) Inspect detached structures, common elements and areas of multiunit housing such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.

(15) Perform any procedure or operation that will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or others or damage the property, its systems or components.

(16) Move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice or debris.

(17) Dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by the SOP.

(18) Enter flooded crawlspaces, attics that are not readily accessible, or any area that will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property, its systems or components.

(19) Inspect or comment on the condition or serviceability of elevators or related equipment.

(20) Inspect or comment on the condition or serviceability of swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, sports courts or other similar equipment or related equipment.

Inspectors are not limited from examining other systems and components or including other inspection services. Likewise, if the inspector is qualified and willing to do so, an inspector may specify the type of repairs to be made.

An inspector may exclude those systems or components that a client specifically requests not to be included in the scope of the inspection or those areas that, in the opinion of the inspector, are inaccessible due to obstructions or conditions dangerous to the inspector. When systems or components designated for inspection under this SOP are excluded, the reason the item was excluded will be reported.