Home Buyer’s Inspection in Northeast Ohio
Know exactly what you’re buying before you close.
What Is a Home Buyer’s Inspection?
A home buyer’s inspection is a non-invasive visual inspection of a home’s readily accessible systems and components, performed after your offer is accepted and before closing. It gives you an objective, professional picture of the home’s condition so you can move forward with confidence, negotiate repairs, or walk away if needed.
Lock Home Inspections follows InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice and Ohio’s standards for licensed home inspectors. Most inspections take 2–3 hours depending on the size and age of the home, and you’re welcome to attend and ask questions along the way.
What to Expect From Your Inspection
We inspect the home from the roof to the foundation, including:
- Roofing system, flashing, gutters, and chimneys
- Foundation, basement, crawl space, and structural components
- Exterior siding, doors, windows, decks, patios, driveways, and walkways
- Grading and drainage around the home
- Interior walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, doors, and windows
- Attic, insulation, and ventilation
- Electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling (HVAC) systems
- Built-in appliances, fireplaces, and garage door operators
A thermal imaging scan is included as needed at no extra cost, and we may also use a moisture meter and gas leak detector. When it’s safe and practical, we use a drone to get a closer look at the roof. Your detailed, easy-to-read report is delivered the same day, with photos of every item we discussed.
Want more peace of mind? Add radon testing, mold testing, a WDO/termite inspection, or water testing to your inspection.
What’s Included in Your Home Buyer’s Inspection
Every inspection includes a thorough evaluation of the following systems and components:
Structural Systems
Foundations, basements, grading and drainage, walkways, and floor, wall, and ceiling structures.
Roofing
Roof coverings, drainage systems, flashings and skylights, chimneys, and other roof penetrations.
Electrical Systems
Service entrance and panels, branch circuits, connected devices and fixtures, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and ensuring your outlets are GFCI-protected.
Plumbing
Fixtures and faucets, water supply systems, drain, waste and vent systems, water heater, flues and chimneys, and any sump pumps or fuel storage and distribution systems.
Heating & Cooling (HVAC)
Heating and cooling equipment, ducts, vents, and flues.
Built-in Appliances
Dishwasher, garbage disposal, range hood, range or oven, cooktop, microwave, trash compactor, bathroom exhaust fans, garage door operator, and other built-in appliances.