How Long Do Home Inspections Take?

How long is a home inspection?

Most home inspections in San Diego will take between 2-4 hours. But it all depends on several factors and each property will be different. The most important factors in determining how long a home inspection will take is the size of the property, the age of the property being inspected and the condition of the property at the time of the inspection.

At IN-DEPTH Home Inspections, we provide two inspectors for every inspection. We call it a TEAM inspection and the benefits are many. First off, the time required to do the physical inspection itself can often be cut almost in half. This reduces the amount of time the agents are needed to be present as well as it also reduces the amount of time the seller or the buyer are waiting for the inspection to conclude. Plus, having more eyes at the physical inspection provides a second opinion at the time of the first inspection. Obviously, having only one inspector to cover the entire home alone, one would expect the inspection could take longer, sometimes by 2 – 3 hours longer. Simply put, more home inspectors present means less inspection time at the house itself.

A home inspection is a great idea and often a necessary procedure when purchasing a new house. The procedure usually involves some basic evaluations of a building, testing the structure of the building, the roof, cooling and heating systems [hvac system], electrical and finally the state of plumbing connections.

Home inspections aren’t usually required, but most homeowners and their real estate agent can’t argue with the value they provide. It’s best to uncover potential issues before you move in so that buying your new home goes smoothly and any needed repairs are well understood before they become a burden.

What should I get with my home inspection?

First thing to do is hire a qualified inspector. A good home inspector will at the very minimum be certified by one of the national and/or stated certification boards. These different boards require IN-DEPTH training courses, monthly and/or annual continuing education requirements, and, a demonstration of the requirements needed to inspect real estate properties.

After your inspector spends several hours evaluating the current condition of the home, the inspector will usually spend several more hours detailing their findings in a report format that may include dozens to several hundred photographs from the inspection. The length of the written report will usually vary with the square foot of the house.

As part of the home inspection process, your inspector should provide a detailed report with hundreds of photos and sometimes videos along with a full written debrief of their findings. The average inspection report takes about 24 hours to complete and once finished, the inspection report is then emailed to you, the client, and to your real estate agent, for more review and to make a plan to negotiate repairs and/or concessions in the price of the home.

Of course, many clients find that they have more questions after reviewing the report. This is normal. Your home inspector should be easily available after you review the report to answer any questions you may have.

Should I be present during a home inspection?

It’s usually recommended that both the buyer and the agent be present during the home inspection. Often times, it’s best to be able to show the buyer any serious issues that are uncovered. Plus, being present allows the buyer and the agent to ask any pertinent questions. While the inspection may take a few hours to conduct, and often being present the whole time is not needed and not necessarily a productive use of time, it’s usually recommended to be present at least towards the end of the inspection.

How long is a home inspection good for?

A home inspection’s main purpose is to provide you, the buyer, with information about the current state of a home, hvac system, electrical systems, plumbing systems, roof, foundation, before you invest your cash and become the new owner.

A home inspection and a home inspection report is usually good for as long as the property remains the same. Therefore this is a relative question. Often times, the home inspection is done in when it is not raining, and sometimes a rain can reveal issues that went undetected during the inspection itself. So to answer the question correctly, it all depends.

How long should a home inspection take?

They can take a few short hours or several days, but the average inspection will take 2-3 hours.

How long does it take to get home inspection report?

How fast do home inspections come back? The home inspection report we provide is usually delivered within 24 hours of conducting the inspection. We’re also flexible and usually willing to work with special requests.

What happens after inspection?

Without a home inspection you are unsure what issues could impact your buying decision. In severe cases the findings of home inspection will force you to withdraw your bid. In some cases we may request that licensed and experienced tradesmen make the repairs prior to closing in order to complete the repair adequately. In the case where a waaranty is involved, some times the warranty is only valid to the original purchaser, and may not convey to the new buyer. Ask for Repair Credit that allows you to deal with things on your terms. Never allow a lack of knowledge or experience to stop your inspector. Even if it is not necessary, it can give you confidence that you are making the right decision in order to achieve your home-ownership goals. Make this wise decision!