What Do You Really Mean?
How everyday inspection words can trip us up — or back us up
Some words land softly, like a frisbee in the grass. Others hit like a manhole cover dropped from a rooftop, cracking the pavement of clear communication. In home inspection, where every word carries weight, we sometimes toss terms around too casually—without realizing the confusion they can cause.
Systems vs. Components: The Foundation of Inspection Language
Before diving into individual words, it helps to draw a clear line between systems and components. A system is made up of interconnected components working together to perform a function. For example:
The roof system includes the framing, sheathing, underlayment, covering, flashing, drainage, and ventilation elements.
The HVAC system includes the furnace, ductwork, condenser, and thermostat.
The electrical system includes service panels, breakers, wiring, receptacles, and fixtures.
Each system functions as a whole, but home inspectors often describe—or inadvertently conflate—individual components with the entire system.
When we say we inspected the roof, do we mean the whole system—or just the covering?
When we report on the electrical system, did we evaluate the wiring hidden inside walls—or just the visible outlets and panel?
These distinctions define what a home inspection is—and just as importantly, what it is not.
Roof Covering vs. Roof Structure: A Common Misunderstanding
A familiar reporting trap is the assumption—shared by inspectors, clients, and real estate agents—that “inspecting the roof” means looking only at the covering. The shingles, metal panels, or tiles are the most visible elements, but what about the structure underneath?
The roof structure—rafters, trusses, and sheathing—matters just as much. A roof can have new shingles and still be compromised by inadequate framing, prior water damage, or design flaws. Yet many reports focus almost entirely on the surface layer.
So here’s the question: If no defects are seen in the shingles, has the inspector truly inspected the roof—or just part of it?
If they walked the roof but didn’t assess the framing, what does “roof inspected” really mean?
If they viewed the attic but couldn’t see the sheathing due to insulation, was the structure fully observed?
If ventilation was overlooked, could unseen issues be developing behind the scenes?
Without a careful choice of words, it’s easy to leave clients with a mistaken impression. When someone asks, “Did you inspect the roof?” and the answer is “yes,” the real meaning may depend entirely on what was actually observed—and how the report was written.
The Words We Toss Around: Disclaim, Observe, and Inspect
Let’s look at a few inspection terms that often get used too loosely—or too differently from one inspector to the next.
Disclaim – The ASHI Standard of Practice doesn’t use this word, yet many inspectors say they “disclaim” a system. But to disclaim something is to renounce responsibility, which may not align with the inspector’s role. More accurate choices are exclude or limit.
Observe vs. Inspect – Some states, like Illinois, don’t allow home inspectors to say they “inspect” plumbing, because that term is reserved for licensed plumbers. Home inspectors are permitted to observe plumbing components. The difference may seem small, but local regulations make it worth paying attention.
Evaluate – This word can imply a deeper level of analysis or professional judgment than most home inspections involve. A home inspection is an observation-based process—not an engineering review or a diagnostic analysis.
Representative Number – This is one term that does have a broadly accepted meaning: “at least one per room” when it comes to items like outlets, switches, and windows. But even here, precision helps. Many inspectors refer to a receptacle as an outlet, yet those two words don’t mean the same thing. The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines an outlet as any point where electrical power is accessed—including light fixtures and hardwired appliances. A receptacle is specifically where a plug is inserted. These details may seem subtle, but clarity matters.
Regional Differences in Terminology
Another challenge is the way terminology shifts from one region to another.
What one inspector calls a fascia board, another might call a barge board, especially when referring to trim on the gable end of a roof. One may refer to the lot, while another says property, yard, or homesite. None of these are wrong, but they may create momentary confusion in multi-state businesses or national training programs.
Take another example: footer vs. footing. Some regions refer to the base of a foundation as a footer, while structural engineers and code books almost always say footing. The meaning doesn’t change—but word choice can signal a person’s training, background, or geography.
Professional inspectors learn to recognize these differences and choose terms that work within their own market while remaining broadly understood.
A Call for Clarity in Reporting
Most inspection standards require the roof covering to be described, but not necessarily the roof structure—unless a problem is visible. That distinction can be easy to miss unless it’s clearly stated.
A more precise report might say:
Roof Covering: Inspected from [walked roof / ladder / drone / ground].
Roof Structure: Viewed from attic. Some areas not visible due to insulation.
Ventilation and Drainage: Ridge vents and soffit vents present; functional gutters observed.
Simple choices like these help reduce misunderstanding. By distinguishing covering from structure, and system from component, we leave less to assumption.
Conclusion: Words Matter More Than We Think
In home inspection, what we say—and how we say it—shapes expectations. It frames the client’s understanding of what was inspected, what was observed, and what was simply out of view.
That’s why clarity in reporting isn’t about sounding technical. It’s about choosing the words that mean exactly what we did, and nothing more.
When we use terms like system, component, observe, exclude, receptacle, and covering with care, we sharpen the edges of our reports and give clients a better grasp of what we’ve actually seen.
John Hansen is the owner of Hansen Home Inspections. He began inspecting homes in 2016 after receiving his Illinois Home Inspector License. His background includes managing the construction of nearly 1,000 homes and condominiums in the Chicago area over a 45-year career. He holds a LEED AP accreditation and is an Illinois Weatherization Assessor.
Originally published in the ASHI Reporter (June 2025).