Quick answer
A home inspector checks a home's structural framing, roof and attic, foundation, electrical panel and visible wiring, plumbing supply and drainage, HVAC equipment, and the general condition of interior and exterior surfaces — visually and non-invasively. It does not include mold, asbestos or lead-paint lab testing, and it doesn't certify code compliance; those are separate specialist services.
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A home inspection covers the systems that make a house function and stay standing — but it has real limits worth understanding before you rely on it. Here’s what’s actually included, step by step, and what it doesn’t cover.
What’s covered
- Exterior & structural walkthrough — Roof, siding, foundation, grading and drainage, checked from accessible vantage points for damage, deterioration or water-intrusion risk.
- Interior systems check — The electrical panel and visible wiring, plumbing fixtures and supply/drainage, and HVAC equipment, tested for basic function and visible safety issues.
- Attic, basement & crawlspace review — Structural framing condition, insulation, ventilation and signs of past or active moisture.
- Findings ranked by severity — Issues sorted from cosmetic to safety-critical, so you know what actually needs attention.
- Written report & referral — A photo-documented report, with anything outside scope flagged for a specialist.
See our home inspection service for the full process.
What’s NOT covered
This is the part that surprises a lot of first-time buyers:
- Mold, asbestos and lead-paint testing. A general inspection is visual and non-invasive — it can flag conditions worth a closer look (staining, older materials, a pre-1978 build date), but the sampling and lab analysis those specialist assessments require aren’t part of a standard home inspection. That’s a referral to a mold inspection, asbestos inspection, or lead paint inspection.
- Code compliance. A home inspection assesses current condition, not whether the property meets current building code — that’s a separate, code-specific review some municipalities require for permitted work.
- Invasive testing. Inspectors don’t cut into walls, move furniture, or dismantle equipment. If something is hidden behind a finished surface, it stays hidden unless there’s a visible clue (staining, a slope, an odor) prompting a closer look or a specialist referral.
Why the distinction matters
Knowing what a home inspection doesn’t cover isn’t a criticism of the inspection — it’s what lets you use the report correctly. If your inspector flags a stain that could be an old leak, or notes the building predates 1978, that’s useful, actionable information — but it’s a prompt to bring in the right specialist, not a gap in the inspection itself.
Getting the most out of your inspection
Be present for the inspection if you can, ask questions as findings come up, and read the full report rather than just the summary — the detail is where the useful information lives. If your inspector recommends a specialist follow-up, treat that as part of doing your due diligence properly, not an upsell.
Ready to schedule? See our home inspection or pre-purchase inspection services, or get in touch to book.