[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-the-inspection-starts-before-i-even-arrive\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-the-inspection-starts-before-i-even-arrive\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): The Inspection Starts Before I Even Arrive","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): The Inspection Starts Before I Even Arrive","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): The Inspection Starts Before I Even Arrive The reason I start preparing for your inspection the night before is simple: I don\u2019t like surprises. The year a home was built tells me almost as much as the walkthrough itself. If it was built in 1971, I\u2019m immediately thinking about aluminum wiring, 1994, early GFCI use, or 1989, polybutylene pipes. I\u2019m not guessing\u2014I\u2019m pattern-matching. It\u2019s like a doctor checking your chart before walking in the room. I Start at My Desk With a Cup of Coffee\u2014Not a Flashlight Before I ever set foot on your property, I\u2019ve 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\u2019m not walking in blind\u2014I\u2019m already scanning for the problems that make sense *for that era and style of home.* It\u2019s the difference between wandering through a house... and reading the house. What I\u2019m Looking For (And What I\u2019m Definitely Not) When I\u2019m inspecting your water heater in the garage, my job is to assess that water heater\u2014not everything in its orbit. If there\u2019s a loose railing or a wobbly staircase nearby, I\u2019m not ignoring it... it\u2019s just not part of this step. I\u2019ll get to those things, but one system at a time. \u2705 I am looking at: systems that are accessible, visible, and functioning\u2014like the TPR valve on the water heater or the age on the data plate. \u274c 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\u2014period. This isn\u2019t a building code inspection, and I\u2019m not a historian. Just like a 1950 Corvette doesn\u2019t need airbags or seatbelts retrofitted, your 1950 bungalow doesn\u2019t 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\u2019t Assume the Worst\u2014And We Don\u2019t Act Like the Owner I assume licensed tradespeople installed your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems correctly\u2014unless there\u2019s visible evidence to suggest otherwise. I don\u2019t verify every fastening pattern or material spec. That\u2019s not what a general inspection is about. And let\u2019s be clear: I\u2019m not the homeowner. Neither are you (yet), and neither is your agent. That means I don\u2019t flip breakers, force open stuck windows, or fire up gas appliances just because they \u201cprobably work.\u201d I don\u2019t damage other people\u2019s property, even accidentally. It\u2019s called professional courtesy\u2014and also, common sense. The Inspection Starts Quietly\u2014But Intentionally This preparation phase doesn\u2019t show up in the report, but it shapes the entire inspection. It makes the walkthrough smarter, faster, and more focused. I\u2019m not chasing problems\u2014I\u2019m finding them because I already know where they\u2019re 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\u2019t paint-by-numbers. It\u2019s 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\u2019s not related? Nope. Our inspections follow a system-by-system approach. Just because I can see something doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m inspecting it in that moment. For example, while checking your water heater, I\u2019m not evaluating the drywall seams or stairwell finish nearby. I\u2019ll get to them in the right section of the inspection. Why don\u2019t 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\u2019t 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\u2014professionally. Are you responsible for identifying building code violations? No. I\u2019m not a code enforcement officer. Homes are evaluated based on the standards of practice and what\u2019s visible at the time of the inspection. A house built in 1970 doesn\u2019t need to meet 2025 code unless it\u2019s 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\u2019t 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. \u2192 Next up: Post 2: The Hidden Clues in a Home\u2019s Year Built Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-06-30","dateModified":"2025-06-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-1.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-1.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-the-inspection-starts-before-i-even-arrive\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":853,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): The Inspection Starts Before I Even ArriveThe reason I start preparing for your inspection the night before is simple: I don\u2019t like surprises. The year a home was built tells me almost as much as the walkthrough itself. If it was built in 1971, I\u2019m immediately thinking about aluminum wiring, 1994, early GFCI use, or 1989, polybutylene pipes. I\u2019m not guessing\u2014I\u2019m pattern-matching. It\u2019s like a doctor checking your chart before walking in the room.I Start at My Desk With a Cup of Coffee\u2014Not a FlashlightBefore I ever set foot on your property, I\u2019ve 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\u2019m not walking in blind\u2014I\u2019m already scanning for the problems that make sense *for that era and style of home.*It\u2019s the difference between wandering through a house... and reading the house.What I\u2019m Looking For (And What I\u2019m Definitely Not)When I\u2019m inspecting your water heater in the garage, my job is to assess that water heater\u2014not everything in its orbit. If there\u2019s a loose railing or a wobbly staircase nearby, I\u2019m not ignoring it... it\u2019s just not part of this step. I\u2019ll get to those things, but one system at a time.  \u2705 I am looking at: systems that are accessible, visible, and functioning\u2014like the TPR valve on the water heater or the age on the data plate.  \u274c 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\u2014period.This isn\u2019t a building code inspection, and I\u2019m not a historian. Just like a 1950 Corvette doesn\u2019t need airbags or seatbelts retrofitted, your 1950 bungalow doesn\u2019t 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\u2019t Assume the Worst\u2014And We Don\u2019t Act Like the OwnerI assume licensed tradespeople installed your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems correctly\u2014unless there\u2019s visible evidence to suggest otherwise. I don\u2019t verify every fastening pattern or material spec. That\u2019s not what a general inspection is about.And let\u2019s be clear: I\u2019m not the homeowner. Neither are you (yet), and neither is your agent. That means I don\u2019t flip breakers, force open stuck windows, or fire up gas appliances just because they \u201cprobably work.\u201d I don\u2019t damage other people\u2019s property, even accidentally. It\u2019s called professional courtesy\u2014and also, common sense.The Inspection Starts Quietly\u2014But IntentionallyThis preparation phase doesn\u2019t show up in the report, but it shapes the entire inspection. It makes the walkthrough smarter, faster, and more focused. I\u2019m not chasing problems\u2014I\u2019m finding them because I already know where they\u2019re 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\u2019t paint-by-numbers. It\u2019s pattern recognition, layered with experience and a touch of caffeine.FAQs: The Behind-the-Scenes Questions I Get All the TimeDo you inspect everything you can see, even if it\u2019s not related?Nope. Our inspections follow a system-by-system approach. Just because I can see something doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m inspecting it in that moment. For example, while checking your water heater, I\u2019m not evaluating the drywall seams or stairwell finish nearby. I\u2019ll get to them in the right section of the inspection.Why don\u2019t 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\u2019t 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\u2014professionally.Are you responsible for identifying building code violations?No. I\u2019m not a code enforcement officer. Homes are evaluated based on the standards of practice and what\u2019s visible at the time of the inspection. A house built in 1970 doesn\u2019t need to meet 2025 code unless it\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.\u2192 Next up: Post 2: The Hidden Clues in a Home\u2019s Year BuiltCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): The Inspection Starts Before I Even Arrive","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-the-inspection-starts-before-i-even-arrive\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]