Home Inspection and Report Services Inspection Overview

The Inspection Process - What to Expect on the Day of the Inspection


The inspector will arrive at the scheduled inspection time and greet the client and all interested parties that are present. The inspection process will be explained, and the client will be invited to follow the inspector as he performs the inspection, or attend to other matters and wait for a verbal summary once the inspection has been completed. This is always the choice of the client!

1. The roof will be the first house system component inspected.
If the roof can be safely accessed, and if the roof covering can be walked on without the risk of damage to the material, the inspector will walk the roof and inspect all of the visible components, which will normally include the roof covering material, flashings and seals, chimney components, and gutters.

2. The next process will be to walk around the entire house, inspecting each of the house system components as they are located.
Items inspected will include the exterior wall covering, the windows and doors, any decks that are attached to the house, and the walkways, patios, and site grading conditions. The main electrical panel is often located at the exterior, and will be inspected when observed. The air-conditioning compressor, and its refrigerant line and electrical connections, will be inspected when present.

3. After walking around the house, the garage interior is inspected.
Items included will be the garage doors and any automatic openers that may be installed, and any outlets that are accessible. The wiring in the garage will be carefully evaluated, as there are often electrical conditions in garages that are in need of correction. A relatively long amount of time can be spent in the garage, as electrical sub panels, the furnace, and the water heater are often located there.

4. The house interior will be the next part of the inspection process.
The inspector will always have protective shoe covers to safeguard the home, and tarps are always used near the access panels to any sub area or attic crawl space. The inspector will usually inspect the kitchen first. The installed appliances will be tested and inspected to determine their condition, and to determine if they are safely installed and functional. All of the plumbing fixtures will be operated and inspected for evidence of leaking and to determine proper function. The remainder of the house interior will then be inspected room by room. Included will be all of the fireplaces, the bathrooms (all surfaces and plumbing fixtures), the visible walls, ceilings and floors, and any major appliances that are located in the house.

5. If the attic can be safely accessed, without disturbing any insulation that may be present, it will be entered and inspected.
Items such as the roof framing, attic ventilation, and insulation (if any) will be observed. The visible and accessible heating system ductwork, exhaust fan ducts, and gas appliance flue vents will also be evaluated. Like the garage, electrical wiring and components found in the attic are often in need of correction, and attention will be given to all of the visible and accessible wiring. The underside of the roof covering or roof sheathing will also be evaluated at the accessible areas.

6. Every aspect of the inspection is important, but if there is a sub area crawl space, it may be the most important area to evaluate.
This is simply because it contains many of the most integral house system components, and because it is rarely accessed by homeowners, potential buyers, or just about anybody. The sub area is always the last area the Home Inspection and Report Services inspector will inspect, mainly due to the dirt, dust, or mud that may be encountered. The sub area is also inspected last to more effectively look for plumbing leaks, since all of the plumbing fixtures in the house will have been operated during the interior inspection. The sub area is the main area to look at the condition of the foundation, the effects of the site drainage, the floor support structure and the sub floor, and the drain and waste lines of the plumbing system. Electrical system components, gas lines, heating system ducts, and other exhaust ducts will also be inspected as they are located. The method normally used by the inspector, depending on access and safety, will be to crawl all the way around the house near the foundation perimeter, and to crawl to the main plumbing areas at the bathrooms and the kitchen.

7. After exiting the sub area crawl space (or the attic if the house does not have a sub area), the inspector will check the access areas.
He will be certain to clean up any debris that may need attention (even though a tarp is always used!). After changing out of utility coveralls, the inspector will make his final notations and prepare to meet the client and interested parties for an inspection summary.

8. The inspector will give a verbal report summary that will stress major items of concern if present. If the Client has accompanied the inspector around the house, the summary will be a brief re-cap of the items that have already been pointed out and explained. Any questions that the Client has will be patiently answered at this time. The fee for the inspection will then be paid, and the on-site part of the inspection process will have been completed.

The written report will always be the final and authoritative word regarding the inspection, as interpretations of observed conditions are often formed and even changed during the report writing process. Also, in the interest of providing the most accurate information possible to the Client, further research and consultation with specialists is often done after the inspection and during the writing of the report. For these reasons, H.I.A.R.S does not and will not use a reporting system that produces the final report on site immediately after the inspection.

The Client, and those designated by the Client to receive the report, will normally have the e-mailed report (PDF file) by the end of the next day. If the Client so designates, the report can be uploaded to this website so that it can be viewed and printed by anyone with the appropriate username and password (to be provided to the Client by the inspector).

Anyone (having the Client or Agent's permission) with questions regarding the house inspected, the inspection, and the report is welcome to call or e-mail us at any time (See ‘Contact Us’). We will respond promptly.

Pre-Inspection Note for the Client: The inspector will need to have clear access to the furnace and any air conditioning components, the main electrical panel and any sub panels, the water heater, the sub area crawl space (when applicable), and the attic. Access to these components and areas should be provided by the client or homeowner prior to the arrival of the inspector, to help avoid the risk of damage to personal belongings that could occur if the inspector were to move them.