Learn About WV Title 87

Per West Virginia State Code, the purpose of Title 87 is to establish the procedures to be followed to assure that consumers of home inspection services can rely on the competence of home inspectors, as determined by education and experience requirements and testing. In order to protect consumers, this rule defines home inspection, outlines what must be included in a home inspection, defines unethical conduct by home inspectors and creates penalties for prohibited acts.

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‍What’s the Difference Between a Thorough Home Inspection and a Title 87 Inspection?

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‍In 2007, the West Virginia Legislature established Title 87, which set the minimum standards for licensed home inspectors. While this law was intended to regulate the industry, it unfortunately allows inspectors to perform only the bare minimum required to complete an inspection. Under Title 87 standards, a home inspector may:

• Inspect only a “representative number” of items in the home, rather than every system or component.
• Skip physically walking on the roof.
• Avoid entering attics or crawlspaces if the inspector personally deems them “unsafe.”
• Complete an inspection in a fraction of the time a thorough inspection requires.

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The result? A Title 87 inspection often provides only a surface-level view of the home. Important issues—like roof damage, hidden leaks, insulation problems, or structural concerns—may be overlooked entirely.By contrast, a thorough, comprehensive home inspection goes well beyond Title 87. It means the inspector:

• Walks the roof whenever safely possible.
• Enters the attic and crawlspace to look for hidden concerns.
• Uses advanced tools and methods to identify issues that aren’t visible at first glance.
• Takes the time necessary to evaluate all major systems and components in detail.

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At Capital Valley Inspections, we believe your home is too important to settle for the bare minimum. That’s why every inspection we perform is far more detailed and comprehensive than a standard Title 87 inspection, giving you the information you need to make confident decisions about your investment.