A.S.C.A. is a local inspector organization dedicated to improvement and education of professional inspectors. Usually after a contract to purchase is signed, the buyer has a certain number of days to perform inspections. These include the general home inspection, and other specialized inspections, such as for termites. The purpose of the inspection is to ascertain whether various items in the house are working properly, or if they are in need of repair . There is no law that says that a house has to be in perfect order, and typically an inspection will reveal problems, usually minor, which should be repaired.
Inspectors also note obvious safety hazards.
Typical inspections take from 2-3 hours. If the home is vacant , it is important that all utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, are turned on. Otherwise the inspector cannot check some of the systems in the home. It is important that the buyer be present for the inspection , if possible. Often the inspector will explain or discuss certain aspects of the home for the buyer's general knowledge, and such discussion will not be in the written report.