What's included in a home inspection
Quick answer
A standard home inspection is a visual, non-invasive check of the home's major systems and components: roof, structure and foundation, exterior, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, insulation and ventilation, and interior. The inspector reports on what's there and its condition, and flags safety issues and items near the end of their service life. It does not cover everything — sewer lines, mold, radon, pests, pools, and septic are usually separate specialty inspections, and nothing behind walls or underground is examined. Knowing the scope is how you avoid assuming the inspection caught something it was never meant to.
What a standard inspection covers
- Roof — covering condition, flashing, gutters, and visible signs of leaks (from the ground or roof where safely accessible).
- Structure and foundation — visible framing, foundation walls, and signs of movement, cracking, or water.
- Electrical — the panel, breakers, a sample of outlets and switches, and obvious safety hazards.
- Plumbing — visible supply and drain lines, water pressure, fixtures, and the water heater's age and condition.
- Heating and cooling — the furnace and AC, their age, and whether they operate (within safe limits).
- Exterior and interior — siding, grading and drainage, windows and doors, walls, ceilings, floors, and stairs.
- Insulation, ventilation, and safety devices — attic insulation, exhaust venting, and smoke/CO detectors.
What's usually NOT included
This is where buyers get surprised. A general inspection is visual and non-invasive, so the inspector doesn't open walls, move heavy furniture, or dig. Several common concerns are explicitly outside scope and sold as separate inspections: a sewer-line camera scope, mold testing, radon testing, wood-destroying-insect (termite/pest) inspections, pool and spa equipment, septic systems, wells, and outbuildings.
Anything hidden is also excluded by nature — a leak inside a wall, a buried foundation defect, asbestos, or the condition of a system that the inspector can't safely operate. When something looks off but can't be fully assessed, the report says 'recommend further evaluation' rather than guessing.
When you need a specialist instead
Order add-on inspections based on the home's age, location, and what the general inspection turns up. An older home, a slow-draining or large-tree lot, or any sewer concern justifies a camera scope of the main line — root intrusion and collapsed clay pipe are expensive and invisible from inside. Damp climates and finished basements make mold and radon testing worthwhile. Rural homes usually need dedicated septic and well evaluations.
The general inspection is the wide-angle pass; specialists are the zoom lens. A good inspector tells you which zoom lenses this particular house needs — that's part of what you're paying for.
When it's urgent
If the inspection flags an active electrical hazard, a gas leak, major water intrusion, or a non-working smoke or carbon-monoxide detector, treat it as urgent regardless of the home's age — bring in a licensed electrician, plumber, or HVAC pro before relying on that system. A general inspection notes these but does not repair them.
DIY vs. call a pro
You can likely DIY
- Deciding which add-on inspections this home actually needs.
- Attending the inspection to ask questions and see issues firsthand.
- Reviewing the scope/agreement so you know what was and wasn't checked.
Call a pro for
- Sewer-line camera scope, mold, radon, and pest inspections — separate specialists.
- Septic and well evaluations for rural properties.
- Any 'further evaluation' the general inspector recommends.
Estimated cost range
How HouseCue helps
HouseCue is a private, homeowner-first app that turns this from a one-time worry into a tracked plan. Snap a photo for an AI diagnosis, upload your inspection report to auto-build a handbook, and get seasonal reminders for your roof, HVAC, water heater, plumbing, and electrical — so nothing slips. Connecting with a pro is always optional and only when you choose.
See a free diagnosis — no signupFrequently asked questions
What does a home inspector check?
The major systems and components, visually and non-invasively: roof, structure and foundation, exterior and grading, electrical, plumbing and water heater, heating and cooling, insulation and ventilation, and the interior. They report condition, flag safety issues, and note systems near the end of their service life.
What is not covered in a home inspection?
Anything hidden or specialized: inside walls, underground sewer and septic lines, mold, radon, pests, pools, wells, and any system the inspector can't safely operate. These are usually separate specialty inspections — a general inspection is the wide-angle pass, not an X-ray.
Do I need a sewer inspection too?
Often yes for older homes or lots with large trees — a camera scope of the main line catches root intrusion and failing pipe that a standard inspection can't see. A collapsed or root-blocked sewer line is expensive and invisible from inside the house, so the scope is cheap insurance.
Should I attend the home inspection?
If you can, yes. Walking through with the inspector lets you see issues in context, ask what's serious versus routine, and learn where the shutoffs and key systems are. You'll understand the written report far better afterward, and you can prioritize repairs more confidently.
Related guides
HouseCue guides are general educational information, not professional inspection, engineering, or contracting advice. Costs vary by market. For safety issues — gas, electrical, structural, or major water — contact a qualified professional.