How long does it take to inspect a home?

[John Malo]

Hi,
I am trying to get some information on how long it would take an inspector to fully inspect a single family home that is built in the 1920. The home is about 1400 SF, 3 BR, 2 Baths, gas furnace/water heater, two stories with full basement and 1 car garage.

Thanks,

JM

[dcook1]

Originally Posted by John Malo

Hi,
I am trying to get some information on how long it would take an inspector to fully inspect a single family home that is built in the 1920. The home is about 1400 SF, 3 BR, 2 Baths, gas furnace/water heater, two stories with full basement and 1 car garage.

Thanks,

JM

2 1/2 to 3 hours should do it unless something special about this house

[Kevin Luce]

2 1/2 to 4 hours depending on many factors. If he did it in less than 1 1/2 hours, he would have performed the minimal requirement for doing home inspection (sampling of windows, outlets, viewed roof from ground, inspected attic from access hole only).

Why do you ask?

[Doug Edwards]

Long time ago I used to think about how long an inspection took. Now I never even consider that important. AS someone said, "I can do it fast or I can do it right. Which do you prefer?" Ive done some very old, small houses that took most of the day due to the large number of issues. Took almost as long to write the report to my satisfaction. Without too many problems or issues figure on 2-4 hours. With problems and a small crawl space add an hour or so. I generally just say it takes as long as it takes.

[dchew]

Each house is unique and the time to inspect it properly will vary with its general condition, age, and any upgrades/additions that have been added to it.

Bank on at least 2 hours minimum with a possiblity for a lot more. I wouldn't book another inspection for that day just in case the inspection might take more time.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Homes older than 1950 or so take me longer, I would guess a minimum of three hours for me to do it. Maybe longer.

[Darrell B. Hadler]

Usually takes me 3 1/2 - 4 hours, and thats with my wife helping me. That includes going over report with client on site and a ready to take home binder report for the client. If I'm by myself, which doesn't happen very often...5 hours.

[phinsperger]

I would typically take 3-4 hours for the house you described. Could be a bit longer if we found more than its share of problems.

p.s. John, did you ever live in Windsor Ontario by any chance?

[Ashli Norton]

Even though I just got in the PROFESSIONAL(certified) inspections (was doing REO's and BPO's @ first) i would say that it depends on the size of the home and of course the issues, you could have a perfect home that ia breeze to inspect and another thats just well you know...but for the simple answer no shorter 2 1/2hrs

[David P. Valley]

On that size home, 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours is pretty typical for me. But it all depends on whether or not the house (in question) has been maintained or not over the years. I've had a few homes (under 2,000 sq. ft.) where it took me close to four hours to complete due to many defective items throughout the home.

Most people take care of their homes, but there are some people (for some strange reason) that do enjoy living in squalor.

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

30 Mins Tops, thats about how long it would take to walk around look at a few things and type in the report D12 required for replacement.

On a serious side, I would book it for either the morning or the after noon appoint ment, so half the day would be afforded to the inspection and report is completed at home if needed or done on site if no real bad issue's arise.

[Doug Edwards]

I recently did a 58 year old home that had gone through many owners over the years with additions and "upgrades" over the course of time. These kinds of houses can be very challenging as they often will "tell a story" and if you take your time you can unravel much of that story. This is important for a couple of reasons; you need to be able to convey to your customer what has transpired and piece together how past "improvements" may very well be the cause of some of the existing and persistant problems typically found on older homes. What some past owner did almost always has an impact and in this particular case exacerbated a serious problem of water intrusion. Each an every attempt they tried to correct or "live with" the problem caused more serious issues to "accumulate". With older homes I set aside the entire day because I never know what I will find and by the end of the inspection your brain can go on overload with the amount of information you will now have to put into a report that makes sense, protects your customer and finally limits your liability while still putting everything into perspective. What you may think is a minor issue may be monumental to the buyer and vice verse. It is a fine line to walk at times. Main thing I can say is take your time, do it right even if it means telling the client it may take some additional time to put together the report. Ive never had one yet get upset because I wanted to be thorough.

[bdoles2]

Typically for me it would take 3 hours and 13 minutes and 12 seconds.

But seriously, it would take 3 hours and 13 minutes!

Many things need to be factored in...But I tell customers on average a home should take 3 hours.

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by dedwards

Long time ago I used to think about how long an inspection took. Now I never even consider that important.

Exactly. Whatever it takes to do the job. Some inspectors move faster than others, think faster than others, write faster than others. Things can be found or missed by both fast and slow inspectors. Bottom line is to just to do your best.

[John Malo]

Thank you all for the inputs. I asked the question because I am setting an appointment with the inspector to inspect a home. I just want set enough time aside so the inspector can do complete job.