Archive House is a visual documentation provider. Every decision we make — what we say, how we describe our work, what we capture, and how we deliver it — is grounded in a single principle: we document, we do not evaluate.
Our documentation reflects visible conditions at a specific point in time. Nothing more. The archive is a historical record — not a representation of present condition, quality, or code compliance.
A Systems Map™ is a visual reference record. It does not constitute an inspection, professional assessment, or opinion. Archive House does not provide licensed inspection, engineering, architectural, or construction-evaluation services.
A Systems Map™ gives homeowners a clearer picture of the home they now own. It is not a quality grade, a pass/fail result, or a warranty. It is a map. Maps describe. They do not certify.
Notice: This disclaimer describes the fundamental nature of Archive House's services. It is incorporated by reference into all Archive House service agreements and delivery acknowledgments. Engaging our services or accessing a Systems Map™ constitutes acceptance of the applicable portions of this disclaimer.
Archive House documents visible construction-stage conditions at a specific point in time. We do not inspect, verify, certify, approve, warrant, evaluate, or opine on construction quality, safety, code compliance, completeness, or correctness.
Archive House operates as a non-evaluative visual documentation provider. We create Systems Maps™ — structured visual archives of a home's visible rough-in systems, captured before drywall closes during residential construction.
Our role is that of a visual documentation provider: we capture and archive what is visible. Archive House does not provide licensed inspection, engineering, architectural, or construction-evaluation services.
This distinction is the foundational principle governing every aspect of Archive House's services, communications, and operations.
A Systems Map™ is not an inspection report, a home inspection, a structural assessment, or a professional engineering review. Archive House is not a licensed inspector. We do not perform inspections. We do not produce inspection reports.
Specifically, a Systems Map™:
A homeowner who requires a professional assessment of construction quality, safety, or code compliance should engage a licensed home inspector, structural engineer, or other appropriately credentialed professional — independent of Archive House.
Every Systems Map™ is non-exhaustive and may not capture every visible condition, system, component, room, cavity, angle, obstruction, or detail present at the property. The following limitations apply to every engagement:
Archive House maintains strict vocabulary standards across all communications. These standards reflect and reinforce the non-evaluative nature of our service. The following terms are never used by Archive House to describe its services:
If any Archive House communication uses a term from the left column above, that use is an error and does not expand the scope of our services or create any additional obligation or representation.
No party — builder, homeowner, buyer, agent, lender, or any other person — may rely on a Systems Map™ as a basis for any representation about construction quality, code compliance, defect-free status, or fitness for any purpose.
The Systems Map™ is provided as a post-closing homeowner reference and is not intended to be used as a basis for any purchase decision, inspection objection, repair demand, construction-defect claim, or representation about the condition of the home. Homeowners are required to confirm this at the time of archive access via click-wrap acknowledgment, which is a condition of access and may be logged with name, email address, and timestamp.
Subsequent owners of a property who receive archive access are bound by the same non-reliance terms and must complete a separate click-wrap acknowledgment before accessing the archive.
Each Systems Map™ archive is intended to include a visible entry notice or watermark stating:
"Systems Map™ — Documentation Only. Not an inspection, certification, warranty, or code-compliance review. See terms of access for full restrictions."
This notice is intended to be present at the moment of entry into the archive and applies to all content within.
Archive House strongly encourages all homeowners to engage qualified professionals for any assessment, evaluation, or concern beyond what visual documentation can address. Specifically:
Archive House may provide a visual reference record that homeowners can share with qualified professionals for context. Those professionals are responsible for their own evaluation, conclusions, and recommendations.