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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "BlogPosting",
  "headline": "What We Look For (And What We Don’t): Generalist vs. Specialist — Why We Refer Out",
  "description": "No, your home inspector doesn’t know everything about every system—and they shouldn’t. Here’s why honest inspectors refer to specialists, and why pretending otherwise is risky and misleading.",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Inspections Over Coffee"
  },
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Inspections Over Coffee",
    "logo": {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://homeinspectionsovercoffee.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/home-inspection-blog-9.png"
    }
  },
  "url": "https://homeinspectionsovercoffee.com/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-generalist-vs-specialist-why-we-refer-out/",
  "datePublished": "2025-06-30",
  "mainEntity": {
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "mainEntity": [
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "Why can’t a home inspector just tell me everything I need to know?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "Because that’s not realistic or responsible. No one person can be an expert in every trade. Inspectors are trained generalists who refer to specialists when a deeper evaluation is needed."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "Isn’t it your job to know all the systems?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "It’s my job to evaluate the visible systems and flag issues. It’s not my job to act like a licensed contractor in every discipline. That’s why referrals are built into the inspection process."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "Is referring out just a way to cover liability?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "Referring out protects both the client and the inspector. It ensures the issue is handled by someone who specializes in that system, reducing the risk of misinformation or missed repairs."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "Should I trust an inspector who claims they “do it all”?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "Be cautious. Overpromising is a red flag. Good inspectors are transparent about the limits of a generalist inspection and will recommend experts when the situation calls for it."
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}/* End custom CSS */