Home Inspection Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The general home inspection is a critical step in the process of buying or selling a home.

At Ohio River Valley Home Inspections, we make scheduling and receiving your inspection as easy and straightforward as possible. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner, knowing what to expect from start to finish will help make your inspection stress-free.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the process.

Step 1: Schedule Your Inspection

We offer multiple ways to schedule your home inspection, allowing you to choose what works best for you. You can:

• Fill out the contact form on our website.
• Call or text us at 740-285-0350 for a quick conversation.
• Schedule directly using our convenient online booking tool.

No matter which option you choose, we’ll work with you to find a date and time that fits your schedule.

Step 2: Review the Inspection Agreement

Once your appointment is booked, you’ll receive a confirmation email. This email will include important information about your inspection, including:

• The date and time of the inspection.
• Details about the process, such as how long the inspection will take and how to pay for your service.
• How to make sure the home is ready, including ensuring that all utilities are turned on and that all areas of the home are accessible for a thorough inspection.

The email will also contain a link to review and sign the inspection agreement, which outlines our services and terms, along with further details about what the inspection does and does not include. This agreement is required by state law; signing it electronically makes it easy to proceed with your inspection without hassle.

Step 3: Prepare for the Inspection

Before the day of inspection, it’s important to ensure the home is ready for the inspector. We recommend confirming with the seller or listing agent to make sure:

• All utilities (water, electricity, and gas) are turned on and accessible. For example, if the service panel is normally blocked by the refrigerator, have them move the refrigerator before the inspection!
• The attic, crawl space, and basement are cleared for access. If the access panel is sealed, your inspector won’t do anything that might damage the finish materials, so it’s up to the seller or their agent to make sure they can get where they need to go.

Remember, the general home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination. In order to get the most value for your money, you need to make sure your inspector is able to access important areas of the home that may contain safety hazards or structural defects that matter to you.

Taking these steps will help ensure that we are able to conduct a full and accurate assessment of your property, ensuring that no areas are left unchecked, and reducing the amount of time it takes you to close on your home.

Step 4: Inspection Day

The inspection itself usually takes about two hours, depending on the size and condition of the home. During this time, our inspector will examine all readily accessible areas of the property, including:

• Basement and crawl space (if applicable).
• Roof and attic (if accessible).
• Major systems (plumbing, HVAC, and electrical) to ensure they are operating as expected with no apparent safety concerns.

As a client, you are welcome to be present during the inspection. You can follow along with the inspector, ask questions, and gain insight into the condition of your home. If you can’t be there for the entire inspection, many clients prefer to arrive near the end to do a walk-through and get their questions answered.

And if you can’t attend at all, no worries! You can always follow up with our inspector afterward via a phone call to discuss the results.

Step 5: Review Your Inspection Report

By the end of the next business day (and often sooner), you will receive an email with a link to download your inspection report. Our report is detailed and comprehensive, covering:

• A summary of major or potentially significant findings, including issues that need immediate attention.
• Photos (and possibly videos) that visually document the condition of specific areas and systems.
• Explanations of listed defects, from minor maintenance needs to larger repair items.
• A list of local contractors to help you get started on repairs or improvements if needed.

Our goal is to provide a clear, easy-to-understand overview of the home’s current condition, ensuring you have the information necessary to make confident decisions.

Step 6: Leverage the Findings

The home inspection is a third-party service. That means the information contained in your report is yours to do with as you please.

Once you receive your report, it becomes an invaluable tool for making informed decisions about your home purchase. Here are three ways you can use the findings to your advantage:

• Ask for repairs. If the inspection reveals any significant issues, you can request that the seller makes repairs before closing. If you’re working with a real estate agent, they can mediate this process for you. This is common practice in real estate transactions and can help ensure the home is move-in ready without unexpected surprises.
• Negotiate the purchase price. If the seller is unwilling or unable to make repairs, you can use the report to negotiate a lower purchase price. The detailed findings give you a strong case to ask for concessions based on the cost of necessary repairs or updates.
• Create a home maintenance plan. Even if no major repairs are needed, the inspection report serves as a comprehensive guide to maintaining your home. You’ll know which systems or areas may need attention in the future, allowing you to plan ahead for any routine maintenance or improvements.

By reviewing the inspection report carefully, you can ensure you’re making a smart investment, whether through repairs, price adjustments, or long-term maintenance planning.

Follow-Up Support

Keep in mind that we are still here to help even after you’ve received your inspection report. In the days following your inspection, you will receive an email from us with a free eBook on home safety. This is our way of saying “thanks” for your business and providing added value at no extra charge as you move forward in the home buying process.

And if you have additional questions about the report or need further clarification on certain findings, you are welcome to reach out to us. We’re always available to provide guidance, explain inspection results, or offer recommendations for next steps.

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your home. From scheduling the inspection to understanding the final report, we’re here to ensure you feel confident and supported every step of the way.

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How else can we help? At Ohio River Valley Home Inspections, your peace of mind is our business. We’re here to remove the guesswork with professional expertise that helps you sleep better at night. Read our most Frequently Asked Questions or contact us today to learn more about how you can take the next step toward your future family home.

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