What Do Home Inspectors Inspect?

Home inspectors use non-invasive, visual methods to evaluate the physical condition, safety, and potential problems of real-estate property. Typically, this is done prior to the sale of that property, either at the request of the potential buyer or the lending institution.

A home inspector can expect to spend two to three hours at an average-size property examining, among other things, the grounds, structure, exterior, roof, plumbing, electric, insulation, ventilation, interior, attic, bathrooms, kitchen, basement, crawlspaces, heating, air conditioning, and garage or carport. Which components are inspected - and how they are inspected - is determined by national standards of practice. After the inspection, the inspector later (normally on the spot or within a short period of time) provides a complete written report to the client.