If you’re in the process of buying a new home, a thorough inspection by a licensed and certified home inspector is the last, best chance you’ll have to pick up potential problems in a property.

While you might want to get this over and done with, making sure your inspector takes the time to do a thorough inspection can potentially end up saving you thousands of dollars — or even prevent you from buying a complete money pit.

Does that mean a longer inspection is bad news? Not necessarily. The time inspections take varies from property to property and inspector to inspector and depends on a range of factors from the size and age of your home to the inspector’s level of experience.

Let’s take a closer look at how long a home inspection takes, what it involves, and some of the details that can impact how long your inspection ends up taking.

Home Inspections: How Long Should They Take?

Most inspections of an average-sized home take two to four hours to complete, although this figure can vary widely depending on the property.

For townhouses or condos, the process can be quicker, sometimes just an hour or two, while larger homes with upper floors, basements, crawlspaces, and attics will often take well over four hours to go over.

Remember that this includes only the time your inspector spends on site. Inspectors typically take a day or two to complete a detailed written report on the property. This will contain critical information about the state of the property. 

5 Factors Impacting the Length of a Home Inspection

Now let’s explore some specific factors that will influence how long an inspector will need to go over the property.

1. Type of Home

As mentioned, the type of home being inspected will play a major role in determining how long the inspection will take. A typical apartment or condo will take much less time than a free-standing single-family home, while a large multi-family property can potentially take a day or more to go over.

The type of construction used in the home is important too. Stick-built homes typically sit on a crawlspace, while older brick or wooden houses will have basements. Large homes may feature several attic spaces, all of which need to be accessed for inspection.

2. Size of Home

The simple square footage of a home is also a key factor in determining how long an inspection should take. The number of rooms and levels as well as extensive plumbing, sewer, and electrical systems all add to the time needed.

3. Age of Home

Older homes will usually take longer to inspect than newer ones because there has been more time for potential issues like mold or structural problems to develop. In addition, wiring and plumbing systems are likely to be outdated or not up to code. All of this has to be identified, assessed, and recorded.

4. Condition of Home

Homes that are in poor condition will take longer to inspect. There are additional visible issues to note and potential problems to identify when a home has not been maintained properly. Inspectors might also need to take extra safety precautions when entering the home or inspecting rooftops, basements, or crawlspaces.

5. Inspector’s Experience Level

Inspectors work from a checklist covering all of the structures and systems of the home. An experienced inspector may work through this list quickly while still being thorough. On the other hand, novice inspectors can take longer, not because they are being hasty but simply because they need to inspect more carefully to ensure the same level of accuracy.

What to Expect from Your Home Inspection

While every inspector has their way of approaching a property, you can expect any home inspector’s checklist to cover three main areas:

  1. Structural Components: The foundation, roof, walls, ceilings, and floors are inspected for stability, rot, mold, and any signs of damage or wear.
  2. Main Systems: The HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems are inspected and tested to ensure they are in working condition, perform efficiently, and meet the required safety standards.
  3. Interior and Exterior Features: Elements such as doors, windows, and any visible insulation are checked for damage, functionality, and energy efficiency.

The size, layout, and condition of your home will affect how long each of these stages takes.

Home inspectors increasingly use a range of high-tech tools to help them access hard-to-reach areas and detect issues that might not be visible to the naked eye. These include:

  • Thermal Imaging Cameras: These detect temperature variations across any surface, which could indicate leaks or moisture problems, insulation gaps, HVAC issues, or electrical concerns.
  • Moisture Meters: These are used to measure moisture levels in walls, ceilings, and floors to identify leaks or water damage. Moisture meters are commonly used in bathrooms, basements, and around windows.
  • Electrical Testers: Inspectors use voltage testers or current detectors to check outlets, circuit breakers, and wiring for safety issues.
  • Gas Leak Detectors: In homes with natural gas, inspectors may use a gas leak detector to identify potential leaks along lines and around appliances, furnaces, or water heaters.
  • Drones: Inspectors may use small drones to capture detailed images of hard-to-reach areas, like a roof, without climbing.

Pro Tip: It’s beneficial if buyers attend their home inspection. This allows you to ask questions, see potential problems, and understand future maintenance needs.

Why a Thorough Home Inspection is Worth the Investment

While it can be frustrating to have to wait several days between scheduling an inspection and receiving a full report, there are three main reasons why it pays to be patient and allow a home inspector to complete their work.

  1. A thorough home inspection can flag big problems, such as subsidence or extensive mold that might make you want to reconsider buying the home.
  2. A good report will identify maintenance issues that you will need to take care of as the home’s next owner.
  3. Issues identified by the report can be used to ask for repairs before closing or to negotiate adjustments in the home’s purchase price.

Ultimately, the time and cost of a professional home inspection are minor compared to the potential savings and insights a thorough report can provide.

The Smart Homebuyers’ Mortgage Choice

As we’ve seen, investing time and money in a thorough home inspection is essential to protect your long-term financial investment in a home. The same diligence applies to selecting a mortgage lender you can trust.

Homebase Credit Union partners with Member Advantage Mortgage (NMLS ID #1557)—a full service mortgage lender with an experienced staff offering honest professional advice, from purchase to refinance and everything in between. Member Advantage Mortgage offers a wide range of mortgage products at competitive rates.

Homebase Credit Union and Member Advantage Mortgage are committed to providing our members with quality, affordable mortgages that deliver value over the lifetime of a loan. Partnering with our affiliate, Member Advantage Mortgage, we ensure you get a loan tailored to your needs today and in the future.

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