“Not tested” means the inspection did not establish how a particular item performed. It is neither a pass nor a fail. Ask which check was not completed, why it was unavailable and what would be needed to complete it. Keep the item unresolved until the missing evidence is obtained or you make a documented decision about the limitation.
For a flat owner, the important distinction is between what the inspector observed and what remains unknown. A report can contain useful findings while leaving some checks incomplete. Read each limitation alongside the agreed inspection scope and the report’s own definitions.
What do the different report labels mean?
Inspection companies may use different labels. The following is a practical reading guide, not a replacement for your inspector’s definitions.
| Label | What it usually tells you | Useful next question |
|---|---|---|
| Not tested | A particular operational check was not completed. | Which function remains unverified, and why? |
| Not accessible | The inspector could not safely reach or view the relevant area. | Who can arrange authorised access for a further check? |
| Not installed | The component was absent at the visit. | Is it included in the agreed property specification, and when can it be checked? |
| Out of scope | The item or assessment was outside the agreed service. | Would an additional service or specialist answer this question? |
These labels can overlap. A fitting might be visible but not connected, allowing a visual observation while preventing an operational test. Ask the inspector to identify the specific missing check rather than treating the whole room as inspected or uninspected.
Is an untested item the same as a defect?
No. Missing evidence does not establish that an item is defective, and it does not establish that the item works. An observed defect and an uncompleted test should remain separate entries when both apply.
Hypothetical example: a bathroom tap is installed, but water is unavailable. The inspector may record its visible condition while marking water flow and drainage checks as not tested. If the tap also has visible damage, that observation can still be recorded. Restoring the water supply would address the testing limitation; it would not itself resolve the visible damage.
Similarly, “not installed” does not automatically mean a builder has omitted a promised fitting. Some items may be owner supplied. Compare the observation with the agreed specification and ask for clarification before assigning responsibility.
What should you ask when a check is incomplete?
A useful explanation names the item, the missing test and the reason. “Plumbing not tested” is less actionable than an explanation that identifies which fixtures could not be operated because the supply was unavailable.
- What exactly was checked, and what was not?
- Was the limitation caused by missing utilities, incomplete installation, restricted access, safety concerns or the agreed scope?
- Could the remaining check affect a decision I need to make?
- What condition must change before the check can happen?
- Can the original inspector complete it, or is another professional needed?
- Will the follow-up produce an addendum or a separate report, and what will it cost?
Do not assume a further visit is included in the original fee. Agree the scope, access requirements and deliverable before booking.
How can you keep track of unresolved checks?
Create a short log using the report’s item numbers. Record the location, missing check, stated reason, person coordinating the next action and current evidence. Preserve the original report so that the follow-up can be read alongside it.
A useful entry might read: “Bathroom 2, item P-07: drainage operation not tested because water was unavailable. Site contact to confirm supply readiness. Inspector to confirm revisit scope. Status: awaiting test.” This is an illustrative entry, not a PropChk customer record.
Use specific statuses such as “awaiting access,” “awaiting installation,” “booked for follow-up” and “checked in addendum dated [date].” Avoid changing an entry to “complete” merely because someone says the obstacle has been removed. Access becoming available and the inspection being completed are different events.
If you decide not to commission a further check, record that decision as “not pursued” with the remaining limitation. It should not be presented as a passed inspection.
When is a revisit useful, and when is a specialist needed?
A revisit can be useful when the original check is within scope and its obstacle can be resolved. Examples include an authorised person opening a previously locked area or confirming that a fixture is installed and ready for testing.
A specialist may be needed when the question goes beyond the original service. Ask the inspector to describe the question requiring further assessment, rather than simply asking for “another inspection.” That gives the next professional a clearer starting point.
Arrange utility operation and access through the seller, builder, owner or building management as appropriate. Do not open electrical equipment, enter unsafe areas or remove construction materials to eliminate a limitation yourself. Where access was refused on safety grounds, obtain professional advice about what must change.
Does a report with no recorded defects mean everything passed?
No. Read the findings and limitations together. “No defect observed” for an accessible item under particular conditions is different from a test result for an item that was never operated. A quiet report does not fill a gap in evidence.
For general background, the InterNACHI Standards of Practice describe a home inspection as a non-invasive examination of accessible areas, based on conditions observed at the time. They also distinguish inspection from engineering services. This is an international scope reference; it is not a statement of PropChk accreditation or the terms of your booking.
Frequently asked questions
Should every “not tested” item cause concern?
Every item deserves an explanation, but the implications differ. Ask what remains unknown and whether it matters to your intended use or immediate decision. A count of untested items alone cannot establish the significance of the limitations.
Can a builder’s photograph close an untested item?
A photograph may show that an installation or access condition changed. It may not demonstrate the operation that was originally untested. Ask what evidence would actually answer the outstanding question.
Does an out-of-scope item require the same inspector to return?
Not necessarily. The provider may offer an additional service, or another professional may be better suited. First define the question and required deliverable.
What if the follow-up still cannot complete the check?
Keep the limitation visible. Record what prevented the second attempt and agree the next step. Repeating a visit without changing the conditions may leave the same uncertainty.
How can PropChk help clarify the report?
Share the item number and the exact question with the inspection team. When arranging a PropChk home inspection or follow-up, request a written explanation of the checks, exclusions and access requirements that apply to your property.
Related PropChk reading
To put an incomplete check in context, read what hidden defects a home inspection can uncover. If the same report also records significant defects, see options after an inspection finds multiple serious defects. Keep those observed findings separate from checks that remain uncompleted.