How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?

2 to 3 hours! On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours to inspect a standardized home. However, this can vary based on factors like the property’s size and the climate. 

Knowing the time period of the inspection is important, as it helps to track the time it takes to close the deal. It also helps determine whether potential problems can be fixed within your timeframe.

What Is a Home Inspection? 

A home inspection is a professional assessment of the property. The process includes inspecting the HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural aspects of the house. After the inspection, a report is prepared and then submitted to the respective parties. 

The home inspection report is an influential factor in the home appraisal process. The defects listed in the report can affect the appraised value of the property as well as the mortgage. 

What Does a Home Inspector Look For? 

A home inspector examines the interior and exterior of the property. Here’s what they look at thoroughly:

• Foundation
• Plumbing 
• HVAC
• Roof
• Ceiling
• Kitchen and bathroom
• Patios
• Lawn sprinklers
• Basement
• Gutters
• Electrical
• Garage

The inspector may avoid elements like pools and solar panels. They may also test for asbestos during the inspection. 

How Long Does a Home Inspection Take? 

A typical home inspection takes 2 to 3 hours. However, factors like house size, property age, and the inspector’s expertise can significantly influence this timeline. The longest inspection time for a standardized home is 3 to 4 hours in Texas, while the shortest time is 2 hours in New York City. 

Home Inspection Timeline

The home inspection process takes much longer. It typically takes 3 to 4 days from scheduling the inspection to receiving the report, but it can stretch up to 2 weeks.

• Scheduling (1 to 10 days): The time for scheduling an inspection depends on the inspector’s availability. 
• Home Visit (2 to 3 hours): If your property falls under a standardized home, it can take up to 2 to 3 hours. For every extra 500 sq feet, an inspector can take an additional 30 minutes.

• Report (1 to 4 days): After finishing the inspection, the inspector prepares a report based on the findings. The documents contain dozens of pages, and the inspector even adds photographs of the property for reference. So, preparing the report can take up to 24 hours to 4 days.

What Affects the Time Taken for a Home Inspection?

Here are the factors that affect the home inspection’s time interval:

• House Size: A general home inspection takes up to 2.5 hours. The inspector takes 30 minutes for every 500 sq. ft., meaning a 2,000 sq. ft. home will take 3 hours to inspect.

• Foundation Type: Houses with crawl spaces require longer inspections, which can add 30-60 minutes to the total time. 

• Climate: Extreme weather regions might take longer to inspect due to roof and exterior checks.

• Age of the Home: Older homes generally have a few hidden problems. Houses built before 1970 take a couple of hours more to inspect.

• Inspector’s Expertise: An experienced inspector can find problems faster and save you time during the inspection. 
• Final Report: You can expect a report in 1-2 days after your home inspection. The report outlines all the inspector’s findings and repair suggestions. 

How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost? 

$300 to $500 is the average home inspection cost. However, it varies according to the size.

Here’s a breakdown of home inspection costs: 

Home Size (in sq. ft.)	Average Cost
> 1,000	$242
1,001 to 1,500	$280
1,501 to 2,000	$290
2,001 to 2,500	$307
2,501 to 3,000	$323
3,001 to 3,500	$338
3,501 to 4,000	$365
4,001 to 6,000	$421

 

Bottom Line

Inspection times can vary for your house, but most take 2-4 hours. Don’t worry if it takes a bit longer! A careful look around is key to feeling good about your future home. Pick an inspector with experience who will take their time to do a complete check. This extra time can save you money and stress down the road.