10 Ways To Speed Up Your Home Inspection

1. Confirm gas, water and electricity are turned on and gas pilot lights are burning.
2. Ensure pets won't hinder inspection. Tell your Realtor about cats or other animals to be kept inside.
3. Replace any burned out light bulbs.
4. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries if needed.
5. Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. Verify filters fit and are properly secured.
6. Move wood, stored items or debris away from foundation.
7. Unlock or remove locks from any items the inspectors must access: Gates in fences, Attic access hatches or doors, Electric service panels, Special closets, and Crawl space hatches for pier-and-beam construction.
8. Confirm areas and components are accessible by removing items blocking access to:  Electric service panels, Heating & air conditioning equipment, Water heaters, Ground fault (GFCI) electric receptacles, Attic access ladders or hatches (Note: debris may fall when hatch is opened), Crawl space access hatches for pier-and-beam construction (Note: remove items that might restrict movement in attic or crawl space).
9. Trim tree limbs back from the roof and trim shrubs away from the house to allow access.
10. Repair or replace broken, damaged or missing items: Door knobs, locks & latches, Window locks and broken glass, Window screens, Anti-siphon devices on exterior faucets, Rain gutters and downspouts, Chimney flue caps.

Take these actions and your home inspection will go faster and will result in a cleaner inspection report – good news for everyone involved!

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*An inspection typically takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.