A home inspection is a visual examination of a home's major structure, systems and components that are visible and safely accessible. The inspector adheres to standards of practice that outline what should be covered during a general home inspection, as well as what is excluded. Some inspectors may strictly follow the standards of practice, while others may exceed the standards and inspect other items, or perform a more detailed inspection. Whatever the inspector includes in his or her inspection should be discussed prior to the inspection – this is known as the scope of work. The inspector should be able to provide you with a copy or online link to the standards of practice they follow. Your inspector should provide you with a written report, which includes photos and/or recommendations, of his or her findings during the inspection.