The address of
the property is:
______________________________________________________________________________________________.
Fee for the
home inspection is $____________________. INSPECTOR acknowledges receiving a deposit of
$_________________ from CLIENT.
THIS AGREEMENT
made this _____________ day of _______________________________________________________,
200__, by and between
__________________________________________________________
(hereinafter “INSPECTOR”) and the undersigned (hereinafter “CLIENT”),
collectively referred to herein as “the parties.” The Parties Understand and Voluntarily
Agree as follows:
1. INSPECTOR
agrees to perform a visual inspection of the home/building and to provide
CLIENT with a written inspection report identifying the defects that INSPECTOR
both observed and deemed material.
INSPECTOR may offer comments as a courtesy, but these comments will not
comprise the bargained-for report. The
report is only supplementary to the seller’s disclosure.
2. Unless otherwise inconsistent with this Agreement or
not possible, INSPECTOR agrees to perform the inspection in accordance to the
current Standards of Practice of the National Association of Certified Home
Inspectors posted at http://www.nachi.org/sop.htm. Although INSPECTOR agrees to follow NACHI’s
Standards of Practice, CLIENT understands that these standards contain certain
limitations, exceptions, and exclusions. CLIENT also understands that NACHI is not a
party to this Agreement and that NACHI has no control over INSPECTOR or
representations made by INSPECTOR and does not supervise INSPECTOR. Unless otherwise indicated below, CLIENT
understands that INSPECTOR will NOT be testing for the presence of Radon – a colorless, odorless, radioactive
gas that may be harmful to humans. Unless
otherwise indicated below, CLIENT understands that INSPECTOR will NOT be
testing for mold. Unless otherwise
indicated in separate writing, CLIENT understands that INSPECTOR will not test
for compliance with applicable building codes or for the presence of potential
dangers arising from asbestos, lead paint, formaldehyde, molds, soil
contamination, and other environmental hazards or violations.
3. The
inspection and report are performed and prepared for the use of CLIENT, who
gives INSPECTOR permission to discuss observations with real estate agents,
owners, repairpersons, and other interested parties. INSPECTOR accepts no responsibility for use
or misinterpretation by third parties.
INSPECTOR’S inspection of the property and the accompanying report are
in no way intended to be a guarantee or warranty, express or implied, regarding
the future use, operability, habitability or suitability of the home/building
or its components. Any and all warranties, express or implied, including
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are
expressly excluded by this Agreement to the fullest extent allowed by law. If any structure or portion of any structure that
is to be inspected pursuant to this Agreement, is a log home, log structure or
similar log construction, CLIENT understands that such structures have unique
characteristics that make it impossible for an inspector to inspect and
evaluate them by an exterior visual inspection.
Therefore, the scope of the inspection to be performed pursuant to this
Agreement does not include decay of the interior of logs in log walls, log
foundations or roofs or similar defects that are not visible by an exterior
visual inspection.
4.
INSPECTOR assumes no liability for the cost of repair or replacement of
unreported defects or deficiencies either current or arising in the future.
CLIENT acknowledges that the liability of INSPECTOR, its agents, employees, for
claims or damages, costs of defense or suit, attorney’s fees and expenses and
payments arising out of or related to the INSPECTOR’S negligence or breach of
any obligation under this Agreement, including errors and omissions in the
inspection or the report, shall be limited to liquidated damages in an amount
equal to the fee paid to the INSPECTOR, and this liability shall be
exclusive. CLIENT waives any claim for
consequential, exemplary, special or incidental damages or for the loss of the
use of the home/building even if the CLIENT has been advised of the possibility
of such damages. The parties acknowledge that the liquidated damages are not
intended as a penalty but are intended (i) to reflect the fact that actual
damages may be difficult and impractical to ascertain; (ii) to allocate risk
among the INSPECTOR and CLIENT; and (iii) to enable the INSPECTOR to perform
the inspection at the stated fee.
5. INSPECTOR
does not perform engineering, architectural, plumbing, or any other job
function requiring an occupational license in the jurisdiction where the
inspection is taking place, unless the inspector holds a valid occupational
license, in which case he/she may inform the CLIENT that he/she is so licensed,
and is therefore qualified to go beyond this basic home inspection, and for
additional fee, perform additional inspections beyond those within the scope of
the basic home inspection. Any agreement
for such additional inspections shall be in a separate writing.
6. In
the event of a claim against INSPECTOR, CLIENT agrees to supply INSPECTOR with
the following: (1) Written notification of adverse conditions within 14 days of
discovery, and (2) Access to the premises.
Failure to comply with the above conditions will release INSPECTOR and
its agents from any and all obligations or liability of any kind.
7. The
parties agree that any litigation arising out of this Agreement shall be filed
only in the Court having jurisdiction in the County in which the INSPECTOR has
its principal place of business. In the
event that CLIENT fails to prove any adverse claims against INSPECTOR in a
court of law, CLIENT agrees to pay all legal costs, expenses and fees of
INSPECTOR in defending said claims. CLIENT
further understands that any legal action against NACHI itself allegedly
arising out of this Agreement or INSPECTOR’s relationship with NACHI must be
brought only in the District Court of Boulder County, Colorado.
8. If
any court declares any provision of this Agreement invalid or unenforceable,
the remaining provisions will remain in effect.
This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties. All prior communications are merged into this
Agreement, and there are no terms or conditions other than those set forth
herein. No statement or promise of
INSPECTOR or its agents shall be binding unless reduced to writing and signed
by INSPECTOR. No change or modification
shall be enforceable against any party unless such change or modification is in
writing and signed by the parties. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and enforceable by the parties and their heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assignees. CLIENT shall have no cause of action against
INSPECTOR after one year from the date of the inspection.
9. Payment
of the fee to INSPECTOR (less any deposit noted above) is due upon completion
of the on-site inspection. The CLIENT
agrees to pay all legal and time expenses incurred in collecting due payments,
including attorney’s fees, if any. If
CLIENT is a corporation, LLC, or similar entity, the person signing this
Agreement on behalf of such entity does personally guaranty payment of the fee
by the entity.
10.
This Agreement is not transferable or assignable.
CLIENT HAS CAREFULLY READ THE
FOREGOING, AGREES TO IT, AND ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT.
_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________
FOR INSPECTOR CLIENT
OR REPRESENTATIVE