What We Look For (And What We Don’t): The Inspection Starts Before I Even Arrive

The reason I start preparing for your inspection the night before is simple: I don’t like surprises. The year a home was built tells me almost as much as the walkthrough itself. If it was built in 1971, I’m immediately thinking about aluminum wiring, 1994, early GFCI use, or 1989, polybutylene pipes. I’m not guessing—I’m pattern-matching. It’s like a doctor checking your chart before walking in the room.

I Start at My Desk With a Cup of Coffee—Not a Flashlight

Before I ever set foot on your property, I’ve already looked at the year built, climate zone, roof type, and typical issues for homes in that area. I might even dig into old permits or property disclosures if something stands out. That way, when I show up, I’m not walking in blind—I’m already scanning for the problems that make sense *for that era and style of home.*

It’s the difference between wandering through a house... and reading the house.

What I’m Looking For (And What I’m Definitely Not)

When I’m inspecting your water heater in the garage, my job is to assess that water heater—not everything in its orbit. If there’s a loose railing or a wobbly staircase nearby, I’m not ignoring it... it’s just not part of this step. I’ll get to those things, but one system at a time.

• ✅ I am looking at: systems that are accessible, visible, and functioning—like the TPR valve on the water heater or the age on the data plate.
• ❌ I am not: checking your garage for code violations, testing every light switch in that moment, or guessing how well it was installed. If it functions safely, it passes the test—period.

This isn’t a building code inspection, and I’m not a historian. Just like a 1950 Corvette doesn’t need airbags or seatbelts retrofitted, your 1950 bungalow doesn’t need to meet 2025 building code. My job is to evaluate it *as it is today*, based on its condition and intended function.

We Don’t Assume the Worst—And We Don’t Act Like the Owner

I assume licensed tradespeople installed your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems correctly—unless there’s visible evidence to suggest otherwise. I don’t verify every fastening pattern or material spec. That’s not what a general inspection is about.

And let’s be clear: I’m not the homeowner. Neither are you (yet), and neither is your agent. That means I don’t flip breakers, force open stuck windows, or fire up gas appliances just because they “probably work.” I don’t damage other people’s property, even accidentally. It’s called professional courtesy—and also, common sense.

The Inspection Starts Quietly—But Intentionally

This preparation phase doesn’t show up in the report, but it shapes the entire inspection. It makes the walkthrough smarter, faster, and more focused. I’m not chasing problems—I’m finding them because I already know where they’re likely to be hiding.

And no matter which of our inspectors shows up, we all work this way. We're trained to think, not just click and snap photos. This isn’t paint-by-numbers. It’s pattern recognition, layered with experience and a touch of caffeine.

FAQs: The Behind-the-Scenes Questions I Get All the Time

Do you inspect everything you can see, even if it’s not related?

Nope. Our inspections follow a system-by-system approach. Just because I can see something doesn’t mean I’m inspecting it in that moment. For example, while checking your water heater, I’m not evaluating the drywall seams or stairwell finish nearby. I’ll get to them in the right section of the inspection.

Why don’t you test fireplaces, gas appliances, or shutoff valves?

The InterNACHI SOP prohibits inspectors from operating systems that are shut down or could create risk. For example, turning on a gas fireplace that hasn’t been used in years could trigger a safety hazard. I document the presence and condition of these items, but if operation requires bypassing safety or invading private space, I skip it—professionally.

Are you responsible for identifying building code violations?

No. I’m not a code enforcement officer. Homes are evaluated based on the standards of practice and what’s visible at the time of the inspection. A house built in 1970 doesn’t need to meet 2025 code unless it’s being renovated or expanded. I do look for safety hazards, but not code compliance.

Why do you assume things are installed properly?

The SOP makes it clear that we aren’t required to determine installation methods, manufacturer compliance, or standards used by other professionals. Unless something looks unsafe or obviously wrong, I assume licensed pros did their job. If not, I note it and recommend a deeper look by a specialist.

→ Next up: Post 2: The Hidden Clues in a Home’s Year Built

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