How Long Does a House Inspection Take?

August 24, 2022

How Long Does a House Inspection Take?
If you’ve never done it before, buying or selling a property might seem like a daunting process. A home inspection is an essential step in selling your house, and don’t worry…they usually go well! Before closing on a house, an inspector will go over their inspection in order to list any potential problems they find. Learn the ins and outs of house inspections, such as the average home inspection time below.
 

What is a Home Inspection?

 
Buyers have time to do their homework on the house during the option period. A home inspection by a licensed inspector should be the first step on your agenda. 
 
The inspector will inspect the home’s interior and exterior and check for signs of code violations, water damage, foundation concerns, and electrical or plumbing difficulties. In addition, the inspector will check out the circuit breaker, the appliances, the heating and cooling system, the chimneys, the sprinklers, and the light fixtures.
 
The inspector will provide the home buyer with a detailed analysis of the home after the process is complete.
 
Mold inspections are often not part of a routine home inspection since they need specialized equipment and expertise. It’s possible that a good home inspector would include mold in their report if they find a particularly severe instance, but in most cases, mold is a specialist problem that calls for its own examination. Another thing to keep in mind is that termites aren’t often checked for during house inspections. This separate examination is unnecessary but might reassure the buyer if they want to have it done.
 

How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?

 
How long do home inspections take? The average time for a home inspection is between 2-3 hours, but you shouldn’t take it as a hard and fast rule. Expect no less than two hours and no more than six at the absolute most, though the former is more likely with smaller properties.
 
If you’re wondering whether or not you need to attend the inspection, the answer is no; nevertheless, buyers and their agents are strongly encouraged to accompany the inspector on the walkthrough.
 
The house size, the number of major systems to be evaluated, and overall condition and safety of the house are just a few factors that determine how long a home inspection takes. How long a house inspection takes is proportional to the number of problems discovered throughout the inspection. 
 

Size of the House

 
How long does a house inspection take? Buyers should budget two to three hours to see a home that is 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and an extra 30 minutes for every additional 500 square feet.
 
It can take a lot longer for a massive house. It will take at least two and a half hours if the home is a typical one. It may take all day for a thorough inspection of a bigger house that needs more eyes.
 
Pools, spas, and detached structures like casitas or gazebos might lengthen the inspection process and prompt home buyers to consider hiring additional professionals to look it over. When an inspector suspects a problem, they might bring in other specialists to dig further.
 
If the first house inspector finds issues, some home buyers may get a second opinion from a pool inspector or a specialist in HVAC systems, for example. First-time homebuyers often don’t know that they check anything about the house and can always arrange further inspections if they have concerns.
 

Condition of the Home

 
How long does a house inspection usually take? As you may have observed, there is no set inspection time since it depends on the home’s condition. Poor condition homes will take longer to inspect as there will be more potential issues to photograph and document.
 
In terms of the inspection, prospective buyers should keep in mind factors like the age of the house, and their expectations should be reasonable given the property’s age and overall condition of the home. When comparing an older house to a brand new home, you may expect the older one to have more problems and more things needing repair.
 
On the flip side, you may visit a brand new home that has been poorly maintained, or you could see an older home with zero problems if the current owners have been on top of things. A 20-year-old home may have a 20-year-old roof, but not usually.
 

Age of the Home

 
Problems that arise in older homes are often complex and time-consuming to solve. Some structural issues might be more challenging to spot in older homes. Extra effort is needed for a century-old house. Add an extra hour to the inspection if the home is around 100 years old.
 
Properties with a history dating back more than seventy-five years tend to have more one-of-a-kind systems and fixtures.
 
How long does it take to inspect a house? Houses around a century old, especially those over 100, have particular difficulties requiring a more in-depth inspection. A thorough electrical system evaluation is necessary because of its advanced age. Unsurprisingly, an inspector may identify incomplete or improper renovations that need to be finished in an older property.
 

Number of Mechanical Systems

 
You can find multiple heating and cooling systems, appliances, and water heaters in larger homes. In addition, lawn sprinklers, gutters, numerous air conditioners, and garage doors, frequent in larger houses, increase the inspection duration.
 

Foundation Type

 
While most homes in Houston have concrete slabs, houses made before 1960 may have used a pier and beam foundation. This means your house will have a crawl space, and inspecting a home with a basement or crawl space might add an extra half an hour to the total inspection time.
 
While reaching the house’s framework is useful, it also brings its own issues that aren’t present in concrete slab foundation houses. The crawl area is inspected thoroughly, including moisture levels, electrical wiring, ductwork, plumbing, foundation, and the wooden framework. 
 
You may anticipate receiving your inspection report within 24 to 48 hours after the conclusion of the inspection. However, not all inspectors need a waiting period before delivering the report; some may do it right there and answer questions on the spot. 
 

Weather Conditions

 
Bad weather may delay inspections and may necessitate rescheduling depending on their severity. Even if it’s pouring, most home inspectors will still proceed with the inspection. However, they may not check every inch of the house.
 
On the inspection day, bad weather might make it difficult for a house inspector to do a thorough job. Rain might help pinpoint roof leaks, but it can also make other aspects of the inspection more difficult.
 
The inspector’s ability to evaluate the roof, siding, doors, and windows may be compromised by precipitation, particularly if the weather forecast calls for heavy rain or snow. The inspector could postpone a house inspection if the weather is abysmal.
 
The house inspection process always involves a visit to the roof, and a good inspector will make that trip. If it’s pouring, snowing, or really windy, this becomes extremely tough at best. In the event of bad weather, the inspector may need to reschedule the inspection or return at a later time to complete the check.
 

What Happens After a Home Inspection?

 
Either party may move forward with the purchase of the house regardless of the findings or use the inspection report as a starting point for negotiating any problems the inspector discovered. Buyers can either have the seller do any required repairs or arrange a repair credit in the form of a price reduction. The seller may need to withdraw the listing and invest in necessary repairs if these problems become severe enough to threaten the transaction’s closing.
 

Are Home Inspections Required in Texas?

 
No, home inspections are not required in the home buying process in Texas. But even if your mortgage lender doesn’t insist on it, you should still get a house inspection before closing. As a buyer, you should ensure you fully grasp the property’s history of repairs, its current condition, and any other difficulties that may arise. Even if you have agreed to have the seller forgo repairs, your real estate agent will still advise you to inspect the property so you know precisely what you’re getting into.
 
To give yourself an edge in a competitive real estate market, it’s a good idea to have an inspection done before you even put your house on the market.
 

How Much is the Average Home Inspection in Houston?

 
The cost of a home inspection can vary widely from inspector to inspector, but on average, it runs around $350.00. However, you are free to hire your own inspector if you don’t trust the ones your Realtor® recommends. If you decide to shop around, it’s best to use an inspector with extensive expertise in the area rather than a general contractor who does inspections on the side. Additionally, you should check for certifications (such as ASHI) and insurance before hiring anybody.

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