What to expect from your home inspection title image.

What to Expect From a Home Inspection

For many home buyers, the home inspection is a new experience. Here’s a rundown on a typical inspection.

  1. The pre-inspection agreement. This is the first document you’ll receive from me: it will detail the price, day and time of the inspection and the scope and limitations of your inspection. You’ll receive a link to sign it electronically.
  2. Meeting at the property. This is the first time we get to meet in person. I’ll go over my plan for the inspection; typically I like to tackle the roof and exterior first: I make every effort to get on the roof, only if the conditions make it unsafe will I be unable to walk the roof. If I can’t reach it with my ladder or the surface is unsafe to walk I’ll inspect from the eaves, or the ground with binoculars.
  3. Heading inside. I’ll start in the basement, if there is one, inspecting each system, are and room according to the Maryland Standards for home inspections. Feel free to follow me through the process and ask lots of questions. As discover issues, I’ll share them with you. Please note that I cannot estimate costs for repair or replacement of components.
  4. Once the inspection is complete, I’ll run down all the major issues I’ve found, and leave plenty of time for questions.  The inspection is not complete until you are satisfied.
  5. I’m sure we enjoyed our time together, but at the end of the inspection, I still need to get paid. I accept personal checks, cash and major credit cards.
  6. Within 24 hours of the inspection you will receive my report in digital form. It will include annotated photos of any issues I found.  If the home inspection was scheduled in the morning or early afternoon, I can often complete the report the same day. Here’s a sample report to give you and idea what yours will look like.

I hope this gives you some insight into the process of home inspection.  If you still have questions, check out my FAQ.  I hope to see you soon and help you get to know your new home!