Home Inspection Checklist for San Antonio Home Buyers
What to do before, during and after your inspection.
A home inspection checklist for buyers has three parts: book a licensed inspector and confirm access before the inspection, attend and ask questions during it, and read the report and act on it before your option period ends. Rod Inspects, a San Antonio, TX home inspection company with TREC License #6291 PI, put this checklist together from what buyers ask us every day.
What should you do before your home inspection?
Most of the work happens before the inspector arrives. Check these off the day your contract is signed:
- Book right away. Your Texas option period is short. Schedule as soon as you're under contract so you have time to read the report and negotiate.
- Check the license. Look up your inspector on trec.texas.gov. (Rod Stewardson is TREC License #6291 PI. How to verify any inspector.)
- Look at a sample report. You'll be using it to make decisions, so make sure you can read it. See ours.
- Ask about add-ons. Pool, spa or sprinkler system? Ask about a pool and irrigation inspection when you book.
- Confirm the utilities are on. Water, electricity and gas need to be on for the inspector to test the systems. Your agent can confirm this with the seller's side.
- Confirm access. Attic, electrical panel, water heater, garage, any crawl space and gates should be reachable and unlocked.
- Write down your questions. Anything you noticed at the showing: a stain, a sticking door, a crack in the brick.
What should you do during the home inspection?
- Be there if you can. Seeing a finding in person makes the report far easier to understand.
- Ask questions. That's what the inspector is there for.
- Learn the house. Find the main water shutoff, the electrical panel, the HVAC filter and the water heater.
- Let the inspector work. Ask as you go, but give them room to be thorough. A rushed inspection misses things. (Why that matters.)
- Take your own notes on anything you want to remember, like where the attic access is.
What should you do after the home inspection?
- Read the whole report when it arrives. Start with items marked D (Deficient). Plain-English terms guide.
- Sort the findings into safety items, major systems (foundation, roof, electrical, HVAC, plumbing) and routine maintenance.
- Call your inspector with any question. Your inspector works for you.
- Get estimates from licensed contractors for anything significant, before the option period ends.
- Decide with your agent whether to ask for repairs, a credit, a price change, or to walk away.
- Keep the report. It doubles as a maintenance list after you move in.
What systems does a Texas home inspection cover?
A Rod Inspects inspection follows the TREC Standards of Practice, and your report is organized the same way:
- Structural systems: foundation, grading and drainage, roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows
- Electrical systems: service, panels, wiring, outlets, GFCI and AFCI protection, smoke alarms
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Plumbing systems: supply, drains, fixtures and the water heater
- Appliances: built-in kitchen appliances, exhaust fans, garage door openers, dryer vents
- Optional systems: pools, spas, sprinkler systems and outbuildings, when you add them
Full details: What's Inspected. Rod Inspects also uses infrared thermal technology to identify temperature patterns that may indicate hidden moisture or missing insulation.
Why do San Antonio buyers trust Rod Inspects with their checklist?
- 13,000+ inspections completed since 2002
- TREC License #6291 PI, with three licensed inspectors on the team
- Infrared thermal technology
If you're searching for a home inspector in San Antonio, TX, or a home inspection near me in New Braunfels, Schertz or Cibolo, the checklist starts the same way: book a licensed inspector early.
Who is Rod Inspects?
Rod Inspects is a home inspection company in San Antonio, Texas, led by Rod Stewardson, TREC License #6291 PI, and inspecting homes since 2002. Its three licensed inspectors, Rod Stewardson, Derek Saari and Tyler Stewardson, serve buyers and sellers in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, McQueeney, Hollywood Park and Alamo Heights, using infrared thermal technology.
What do San Antonio buyers ask about the inspection checklist?
When should I schedule a home inspection in Texas?
As soon as your contract is signed. The option period gives you a limited number of days to inspect, negotiate and decide, so booking early leaves the most time to act on the report.
What should I bring to a home inspection?
Bring your questions, a notepad or phone for notes, and a list of anything you noticed at the showing. The inspector brings the tools.
Do the utilities need to be on for a home inspection?
Yes. Water, electricity and gas need to be on so the inspector can test the plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and appliances. Items that cannot be tested are marked Not Inspected.
What should I look at first in my inspection report?
Start with items marked Deficient, beginning with safety items and major systems such as the foundation, roof, electrical panel, HVAC and water heater.
Can a house fail a home inspection?
No. A home inspection is not pass or fail. The report documents the condition of the home so you can decide what matters for your purchase.
Ready to check the first box?
Book your San Antonio home inspection online, or call (210) 255-3134.