40 Hour Property and Building Inspection Practice Test

Is the inspection of smart home devices considered in the scope of a home inspection?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only during full energy audits

4. Only for newly built homes

The correct answer is: No

The scope of a home inspection typically focuses on the physical structure and major systems of the home, such as the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC. Smart home devices, while increasingly common, often fall outside the traditional scope of a home inspection. Inspectors are not usually trained or certified to evaluate the functionality or integration of smart home technologies with the same level of scrutiny as they would structural components. While new homes may come equipped with smart technology and could be a consideration during overall evaluations, this does not expand the general expectations of a typical home inspection. Similarly, full energy audits may assess the energy efficiency of a home but would not typically focus on the specifics of smart device functions. Therefore, the inspection of smart home devices is generally not included in the standard practices of home inspections, making this choice accurate.