Do I Need A Home Inspection, And How Long Does One Take ...

Kamoei stresses the importance of doing some footwork before deciding on one inspector. “We try to offer buyers at least three options,” she says, “but there are a lot of inspectors out there, so buyers should do their research.”

Sean Garvey, CEO of Dwell Inspect home inspection services in Arizona, says that their process includes a focus on reviewing major health, safety, and habitability issues, with a full team on hand to tackle those homes that might require a more in-depth inspection. “We have a team of inspectors,” he says. “Any home over 4,500 square feet usually requires it.”

What specific items and areas does an inspector check, and how long will it take?

A typical home inspection covers major areas, including the roof, attic, HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, foundation, exterior siding, and appliances. Inspectors generally move room by room, systematically checking every major component.

Garvey says that during the inspection, they will examine major items such as the HVAC, roof, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as the overall condition of the home. “We don’t specifically inspect system to system,” he says, “but as we go through the whole process, it all kind of comes together at once.”

Inspection time for each item varies, and it often depends heavily on how well the house has been maintained.

“You could go into a newer house that has been neglected, or an older house could have no issues if the owners were diligent,” he explains. “If you go into a 20-year-old house, you might predict it will have a 20-year-old roof, but that’s not always the case.”

As far as estimating how long the entire inspection takes, it depends.

Homeinspectioninsider.com estimates that inspecting a 2,000-square-foot house takes between two and three hours, and buyers should add another 30 minutes for every additional 500 square feet.

However, Garvey says that a very large home could take much longer. “A standard residential house will take no less than 2.5 hours,” says Garvey. “A larger home that requires multiple inspectors could take all day.”

Kamoei agrees that two to three hours is fairly standard but adds, “It depends on the size of the home and the amenities. The longest inspection I’ve been on was six hours.”

Extras like swimming pools, spas, or casitas can add time to the inspection, and the buyers may even want to get an additional inspection by a specialist.

“Inspectors are good at catching certain things,” says Kamoei, “and we can call in specialists to further investigate if they see potential issues.”

She adds that some buyers will hire a separate pool inspector or bring out an HVAC or roof expert if the initial home inspection indicates problems.

“I think it’s a common misunderstanding, especially among first-time homebuyers, that they don’t realize they can inspect any aspect of the property,” she says, “and they can get additional inspections if they’re concerned about anything that comes up.

“You should look at the inspection like an overall checkup from your family doctor, and then you can go forward with specialists to further evaluate issues.”

Of course, if you order extra services like radon testing, mold inspections, termite checks, or a sewer scope, it will add time to the process. Some of these tests require setting up equipment or waiting for results, so make sure to ask your inspector beforehand if you’re adding any services that could extend the appointment.