What’s Included in a Home Inspection?

One of the most common questions we get from our customers is: What exactly is included in a home inspection.

That is a tricky question to answer because it varies from home to home, and by the type of inspection. However, when we provide a general home inspection, we usually do just that. Give you a general, but thorough overview of a home. We have recently created this informational video that gives you a brief summary of the different sections included in a home inspection, in the most basic scenario.

As we explain in the video, there are a lot of things to cover in a home so we break it down into a few major sections. This list is pulled straight from our home inspection template.

1. Exterior – Ground
2. Foundation – Basement – Crawlspace
3. Roofing – Attic – Ventilation
4. Plumbing System
5. Electrical System
6. Heating Systems
7. Cooling System
8. Interior
9. Built-In Appliances
10. Garage

From this short list, we can cover most all aspects of a home. There are other systems that we look at as well including sprinkler systems, radon testing, moisture testing, and energy surveying. These are either included in a home inspection when present or they can be added on prior to your inspection. See some of our add-ons here.

When we go through this checklist, we are documenting and assessing all the different parts of the systems. From there we can inform you of any problems that we find. At the home inspection, we can also address any questions you may have about the home as well.

Limitations of a Home Inspection

Because a home inspection is a general overview of a home, there are some limitations. We often come across defects that we can identify, but due to the potential concerns, we may recommend having a specialist in that area give a complete analysis of the problem. You can count on us to find problems, but more information about the best way to proceed may be better left to a specialist.

A full overview of the home is included in a home inspection, but we are not able to see the future. We can analyze and inform you about what is happening in the home in the few hours we are there, but problems can develop over time and there is not always a good way to see it coming. We will inform you about the best ways to maintain a home to prevent future issues from occurring, but it is up to you to keep up with the multitude of tasks that come with owning a home.

Informed Purchasing Decisions

The number one thing included in a home inspection is your ability to make an informed purchasing decision on one of the biggest investments of your life. Using our tested methods and our 10+ years of experience, we will provide the peace of mind needed for your new home.

At the end of the day, we will send you a report that includes all of our findings. This can help negotiate terms with the seller and their agent before you close. Afterwards, the report will help educate you about maintenance items that may need attention in the future. See some of our sample reports at the link here.  Read more about our Inspection Services.