What a Home Inspector Does

A professional home inspector is a generalist with broad knowledge of residential construction. The inspector examines the home, documents observed conditions, and reports material defects, safety concerns, and maintenance items in a clear, photo-rich report.

Most inspections take about 2–4 hours, depending on the size, age, condition of the home, and access to areas like the attic, crawlspace, and electrical panel.

What’s Included in a Typical Home Inspection

While every property is different, a standard home inspection commonly reviews these visible and accessible areas:

• Roofing (coverings, flashing, penetrations, visible drainage concerns)
• Exterior (siding/trim, doors/windows, grading & drainage indicators)
• Foundation & structure (visible settlement, framing conditions, support system concerns)
• Attic & insulation (visible ventilation indicators, insulation conditions, moisture staining)
• Plumbing (visible supply/drain components, fixtures, water heater basics)
• Electrical (service components, panel accessibility, visible hazards, representative outlets/switches)
• HVAC (visible condition, basic operation, distribution observations)
• Interior (walls/ceilings/floors, doors, windows, visible moisture indicators)

Note: Some components (like outlets, windows, and switches) are checked on a representative basis, not necessarily every single one in the home.

What a Home Inspection Does Not Cover

Home inspections are non-invasive. They generally do not include concealed or inaccessible conditions, such as:

• Leaks or defects hidden inside walls, under flooring, or behind insulation
• Underground plumbing leaks or buried components
• Conditions obscured by storage, furniture, insulation, or locked areas
• Hidden damage that may be masked by recent repairs, remodeling, or fresh paint

Is a Home Inspection a Code Compliance Inspection?

No. A home inspection is not a code compliance inspection for past or present building codes or regulations. Inspectors may recognize common safety issues, but the inspection is not designed to identify every code requirement across different time periods and jurisdictions.

Is a Home Inspection a Warranty or Insurance Policy?

No. A home inspection documents the property’s condition on the day it’s inspected, but it cannot predict every future repair or maintenance item. It reduces uncertainty, but it does not eliminate risk.

Should You Attend the Inspection?

Yes—when possible. Attending helps you understand the home’s systems, where key components are located, and which findings are most important. It also gives you time to ask questions before the final report is delivered.

Other Helpful Sources of Information

In addition to the inspection report, you may also want to review seller disclosures, county records, utility history (when available), and specialized evaluations by licensed contractors when conditions warrant it.

Home Inspection Services in Eastern North Carolina

D & D Home Inspection Services provides unbiased inspections and clear reporting for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across Eastern NC.

• General Home Inspections
• Roof, Structural, Electrical, Plumbing & HVAC inspections
• Thermal Imaging
• Mold / Indoor Air Quality Testing
• Radon Testing
• Asbestos Sampling
• New Construction, Pre-Listing, Rent Ready & Repair Verification