How long does a home inspection take?
Curious as to how ling your home inspection will take? We’ve got you covered!
We’ll cover the average inspection duration, what can affect this time, how to prepare and much more.
Average Home Inspection Duration
A home inspection takes approximately 2 to 3 hours on average according to 4U Inspection Services. Home that are only 1,000 square feet or less might only require 30 minutes for a complete home inspection.
What is Included in a Home Inspection?
Here is a short list of things a certified home inspector will be looking at when gauging the condition and value of your home.
Each home is different so additional items may reviewed that don’t appear on this list.
Grounds
- Proper Grading
- No Standing Water
- Down Spout Drainage
- And more
Structure
- Check for Bowing
- Foundation Issues
- Straight Door Frames
- And more
Exterior
- Siding Condition
- Stains or Flaking Paint
- Blisters
- Stucco Cracks
- And more
Windows, Doors, Trim
- Secure frame and trim
- Drip Caps
- Storm Windows
- Broken Glass
- And more
Roof
- Shingle Condition
- Gutters
- Chimneys
- Flashing
- And more
Attic
- Sufficient Insulation
- Sings of Decay
- Mold or Mildew
- Ventilation
- And more
Interior Rooms
- Flooring
- Walls
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Cracks
- And more
Kitchen
- Sink Water Flow
- Leaky Pipes
- Exhaust Fans
- Cabinet Condition
- Appliances
- And more
For a full list of what we check during inspections click here.
Related:
What to Expect From a Home Inspection
What to do During a Home Inspection
Home Inspection Tips: First Time Buyers
Home Inspection Tips for Sellers
How long is a home inspection good for?
A majority of home inspection companies offer a 90 day warranty on their inspections, says Zip Realty. After which, you might need to obtain a new inspection report for your home.
How to Prepare
For people who are anxiously wondering how long a home inspection takes, there are quite a few things to consider. This is especially true if you need to sell quickly and are already using instant offers.
Tip #1
The first thing you can do to prepare is collect a list of any maintenance receipts you have for things done to the house. New furnace? Repairs on the fridge? New flooring in the kitchen? Gather your receipts or proof of service.
Tip #2
Another step you can take is remove any clutter that makes certain areas hard to access. If your home has a crawl space, the inspector will have to go down there. Make their lives easier by making this area easier to access. This can greatly reduce the amount of time a home inspection takes.
Tip #3
One last thing you can do to prepare is to perform minor fixes or surface clean. Things like crooked door trim and gross looking cabinets will make it into the report and may impact the perceived value of the home.
If you have the tools and the skills, performing these fixes before an inspection can be a life saver.
About Triple Check
Triple Check is an Wisconsin home inspections company. When you need an expert home inspector for your Wisconsin home look no further. Our experience allows us to save homeowners thousands on costly repairs and mistakes when buying or selling a new home. Expect only the best communication, professionalism and hard working staff around.