The Unspoken Rules of Attending Your Own Home Inspection

By Admin Friday February 28, 2025

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and the home inspection is a crucial step in ensuring you’re making a sound decision. While many buyers attend their home inspection, not everyone knows how to make the most of it. There are certain unspoken rules that can help you get the best value out of this process without interfering with the inspector’s job.

Here’s everything you need to know about attending your own home inspection the right way.

1. Be Present, But Don’t Hover

Your home inspector is there to do a detailed evaluation of the property, looking for potential issues that might not be visible to the untrained eye. While it’s important to be present and engaged, hovering over the inspector’s shoulder or interrupting frequently can slow down the process.

✅ What to Do:

• Follow the inspector, but maintain a respectful distance.
• Let them complete their observations before asking questions.
• Take notes rather than interrupting every few minutes.

❌ What Not to Do:

• Constantly ask, “Is this a big problem?” before they finish their assessment.
• Distract the inspector with unrelated small talk.

2. Dress Comfortably for the Occasion

Home inspections can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, and they often require the inspector to check crawl spaces, attics, basements, and other areas that might be dusty or dirty. While you won’t be doing any inspecting yourself, dressing appropriately is still important.

✅ What to Wear:

• Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
• A jacket if the weather is cold, especially if checking an outdoor property.

❌ What Not to Wear:

• Fancy clothes or heels that make it difficult to move around.

3. Come Prepared with a List of Concerns

Before the inspection, you should already have some idea of what areas might need extra attention. Maybe the roof looks worn, or there’s a musty smell in the basement. Have a list of questions and concerns ready so you don’t forget to ask the inspector about them.

✅ Good Questions to Ask:

• “Does the electrical system look up to code?”
• “How serious is this plumbing issue?”
• “Is this something that needs immediate repair, or can it wait?”

❌ What Not to Do:

• Demand an immediate cost estimate for every issue found (inspectors don’t provide repair quotes).

4. Understand That No Home is Perfect

Even brand-new homes have minor flaws. The purpose of a home inspection isn’t to find a perfect house—it’s to understand what repairs or maintenance might be needed. Be realistic and focus on major issues rather than getting caught up in minor cosmetic problems.

✅ What to Focus On:

• Foundation cracks
• Roof condition
• Electrical or plumbing concerns
• Mold or water damage

❌ What to Ignore:

• Small scuffs on the walls
• Minor wear and tear on flooring

5. Don’t Bring a Crowd

A home inspection is not a housewarming party. Bringing too many people can be distracting for both you and the inspector. It’s best to attend alone or with one other key person, such as your spouse or a trusted friend.

✅ Best Practice:

• Bring only essential decision-makers.

❌ What Not to Do:

• Invite family, friends, and kids who may not have a role in the purchase.

6. Take Notes and Photos (But Don’t Rely on Memory Alone)

The inspector will provide a report after the inspection, but taking your own notes and photos can be helpful. Sometimes, issues look worse (or better) in person than they do in the report.

✅ What to Capture:

• Problematic areas like cracks, leaks, or faulty wiring.
• The general condition of the property for your reference.

❌ What Not to Do:

• Ignore the inspector’s report and rely solely on your own notes.

7. Ask About Next Steps

Once the inspection is complete, discuss the findings with the inspector. Ask for their professional opinion on which issues are urgent, which ones can wait, and what your next steps should be.

✅ Good Questions to Ask After the Inspection:

• “Which issues should I negotiate with the seller?”
• “Do I need to call in a specialist for a second opinion?”
• “Is this home structurally sound overall?”

Final Thoughts

Attending your home inspection is a great way to understand the true condition of your potential new home. By following these unspoken rules—being present but not intrusive, dressing appropriately, preparing questions, and focusing on major issues—you’ll get the most out of the process.

A home inspection is your opportunity to make an informed decision. Use it wisely!