How Long Does a Home Inspection Take in 2024?

Residential properties are a complex combination of different components, including structural framing as well plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems. At the time of making a purchase, it is not uncommon for buyers to settle for simple cosmetic repairs, but knowing what is beneath the surface is important. That is when a home inspection by a professional can make all the difference.

The real estate market has been through ups and downs over the past few years, with many homes now selling at record highs. The competitive market we find ourselves in is even more reason to want to protect your investment! If you are going to take the plunge and buy a home, be sure to utilize a reputable home inspection service that can put you in a better position to decide.

WHAT TO EXPECT TIMEWISE 

Under normal circumstances, a home inspection takes anywhere between 2 and 4 hours. An experienced home inspector is likely to inspect a 1500 square foot property in a couple of hours; add another half an hour for every additional 500 square feet of space.

Home inspectors often come with their team to handle the process, or a professional may come and inspect your home all by themselves. Moreover, many other factors can affect the time required for a thorough home inspection. For instance:

• The experience of a home inspector matters, as a non-professional takes longer and fails to document all the minute details.
• The condition of the property can play a role here, as a house in good condition usually has less to document. It will take longer to inspect a property with numerous defects, and the same holds for older houses. Experts believe it takes an additional hour to inspect a home that is 75 years old or older.
• Larger homes with multiple heating and cooling systems, as well as water heaters, are naturally going to need more time for a more thorough inspection. Another half an hour should be added to the baseline for homes with basements or crawl spaces.
• The weather conditions while a home inspector is doing their job will also have an impact. Sometimes, severe weather conditions may even require rescheduling.

As all these factors can have an impact on how long a home inspection takes, you may have to wait a bit longer to receive the report.  You may have to wait for the inspection report for 24 hours but choosing an experienced inspection company that relies on technology can help you get your report on-site. So focus more on finding an experienced company and they will seamlessly handle everything. Contact us at Keystone Home Inspection for more information.