How Long Does A Home Inspection Take?
The length of a home inspection involves many factors. Such as the size of the home, whether the foundation is crawlspace or a slab, as well as the amount of defects, etc. Generally a home with a crawlspace takes about 3 hours. A home with a slab foundation takes about 2 hours. Again could be more or less depending on the circumstance.
Major factors that determine the home inspection time:
The size of the house
On average, homes have around 1,500 to 2,000 square feet of living space. Inspections on homes of this size should take two or three hours. For every additional 1000 square feet of living space, you can expect the inspection process to take 30 minutes.
When the house was built
The older the home, the more potential for structural and other problems.
Type of foundation
Some foundation types require a more thorough inspection. If a home has a crawl space or basement, it needs to be thoroughly checked during the home inspection. Whereas a slab foundation takes less time as the inspector can only walk around the home and look for cracks in the slab, or in brick veneer or fascia boards.
The condition of the home
Homes that have been well-maintained are easier to inspect, and they’ll take less time as well. Older homes and those with structural or safety issues will take longer to sort out since the home inspector will need to take his or her time documenting everything they find along the way.
The weather
A home inspection takes place inside and outside the home, so if the weather’s not cooperating, it could cause the home inspection process to take much longer. Severe weather can impact the process so much that it may need to be rescheduled.
Major systems
If the home has more than one major system, the home inspection can take a little longer to complete. This is often seen in large homes with multiple water heaters and HVAC systems. On average, a water heater will only take ten minutes to inspect, but an HVAC system can take 30 minutes or more.
The report
Once the home inspection is complete, the inspector will compile the results into a report. This report is usually delivered to the buyer, seller, and their agents within a few business days. Sometimes, the report is available on the same day as the home inspection, but all depending on the circumstance.
Communication
If the buyer is present, he or she is encouraged to ask questions throughout the home inspection. This will add to the overall inspection time. This ensures that the buyer is fully aware of the home’s condition when they sign the purchase agreement.