Buying or selling a home can be a stressful experience for both clients and real estate agents. And at that time two questions often arise in their mind- “How long does a home inspection take?” and “How long does it take to get the home inspection report back?”.
Just imagine that you are waiting to move into your dream home and the only thing you are waiting for is getting a detailed home inspection report so you understand your home better.
That’s why it’s important to understand the timeframes and set the right expectations for home inspections and reports to plan more effectively.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
It takes around 2 to 3 hours for a professional home inspection. However, it can vary on the size, complexity, and components of the home. Some smaller properties like condos and townhouses could only take 1 to 2 hours.
After the home inspection is complete, it could take 1 to 2 days to get back your home inspection reports. But companies, like WIN Home Inspection and Pillar to Post, provide home inspection reports within 24 hours, which can be a huge relief for those on tight schedules.
Average Time Taken for Home Inspection
Understanding how long a home inspection takes can help manage your expectations and schedule. Here’s a breakdown by region:
| State/Region | Average Time for Home Inspection | Factors Affecting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Most States | 2-3 hours | Size, age, the complexity of home, inspector’s detail level |
| Florida | 2-4 hours | Type of inspection, additional structures (pool, shed), humidity |
| Washington | 2-4 hours | Size, complexity of property, inspector’s experience |
| Texas | 3-4 hours | Often longer due to thorough inspections |
| New York City Area | 2 hours or less | Smaller properties, higher inspector density |
Statistics for Home Inspection and Report Durations
1. Home inspections can last about 2 to 3 hours. The exact duration depends on various factors, such as the property’s size, its age, and the thoroughness of the inspection.
2. Time taken for home inspection by different types of properties:
- Condos and townhouses: 1-2 hours
- Single-family homes: 2-3 hours
- Larger or more complex homes: Up to 4 hours
3. Note that there are certain situations where it requires additional inspections, which can extend the overall timeline. These include homes with pools or spas, detached structures like sheds or guest houses, advanced HVAC systems, and health hazards like mold and radon which require advanced tools to assess.
4. In Florida, well-known home inspectors like Brian McCormick, typically take 2-3 hours on average for a thorough home inspection.
5. Most home inspections are conducted between 10 AM and 3 PM.
6. Our recent survey of realtors shows that they favor home inspectors who can deliver quick yet thorough inspections. Ideally, they prefer the process to be wrapped up in under 3 hours.
7. Inspection times can differ across regions in the United States because there are different types of housing styles, climate, and local regulations. For example, in Florida, inspections could take longer because of extra structures and high humidity.
Expert Insights
In a recent interview with professional home inspectors and realtors, they shared valuable insights on what to expect regarding the timing of home inspections.
“We typically perform a team inspection and can inspect an average size home in about 90 minutes. With our approach, each of us has specific areas where we focus. We send reports by the end of the day on the day we inspect a property. While we could technically send reports immediately following the inspection, we prefer to spend additional time to quality-check the information we are providing our clients. “
“This really depends on the house and the inspector. Some are faster than others but square footage and features such as a pier and beam foundation, septic tanks, wells, etc. In general, I usually tell my sellers to expect about 3 hours but could be as much as 5 or longer. And the formal report usually gets back to the buyer within 24 hours.”
