What Actually Happens
If you've never been through a home inspection, here's the whole thing start to finish. No surprises — that's kind of the point.
What happens during a home inspection?
Five steps, and none of them should be a mystery. You book — ideally on day one of your option period, because those days go fast. I confirm the date, time, and exactly what's included. Then I'm on site 2.5 to 4 hours going through the roof, attic, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and everything else, photographing as I go. Within 12 hours you've got a digital report organized by priority. And then you call me with questions, however many you've got, for as long as you've got them. Come to the inspection if you can — at minimum the last half hour, when I walk you through what I found.
- Steps
- 5
- Time on site
- 2.5–4 hours
- Report delivered
- Within 12 hours
- Follow-up questions
- Always free
📅 You Book
Book online in about two minutes, or call and text me — most people call. Same-week appointments are usually no problem, and I'll give you a straight price over the phone.
✅ I Confirm
You get a confirmation with the date, time, address, and exactly what's included. If you're adding a pool, septic, or termite inspection, we sort that out now so I bring the right gear.
🔍 Inspection Day
I'm on site 2.5 to 4 hours depending on the home. Roof, attic, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and everything between — photographing as I go. You're welcome the whole time.
📄 Your Report
Within 12 hours — usually that same evening — you get a digital report loaded with photos, organized by priority so the items that matter are right at the top. Not a checklist. A real explanation.
📞 Questions & Support
Call me. Seriously. After you've read it, after your agent's read it, a week later when a contractor asks something — I'd rather answer a question than have you guess.
Most People Have Never Done This Before
Almost every first-time buyer I meet is a little anxious on inspection day — worried I'll find something awful, or that they'll look uninformed asking questions. Let me put both of those to rest.
Every house has findings. Every single one. A twenty-page report doesn't mean you're buying a lemon; it means I did my job. What matters is which findings are safety issues, which are expensive, and which are just normal maintenance — and I'll tell you plainly which is which.
There are no dumb questions. You're about to spend more money than you ever have on something you can't fully see. Ask me anything, twice if you want. I've never once been annoyed by a curious client.
Common Mistake
Waiting three days into a seven-day option period to call an inspector. By the time you get the report, you've got no room left to get repair estimates or negotiate. Book on day one.
Did You Know?
If it's too cold outside, running the air conditioner can damage the compressor — so Texas standards say not to. If that happens on your day, it's clearly noted in your report so you know exactly what was and wasn't tested.
East Texas Fact
Our clay soil swells and shrinks with the seasons, so a hairline foundation crack here doesn't mean what it would in other parts of the country. Context matters — that's why local experience is worth something.
Someone Who Used It
Verbatim from Google.
Cardinal Home Inspections did an amazing job on the inspection. They are very professional and the report was very detailed. It allowed me to see real issues I needed the builder to fix before closing on my new home. We also had a re-inspection done to make sure the items were fixed. I recommend Jeff and Cardinal Home Inspections for all of your home inspection needs.
What This Actually Looks Like
Not a clipboard and a walk-through. Two and a half to four hours, most of it in the parts of the house nobody enjoys.
This is most of the job
Attics, crawl spaces, and the ground along your foundation. The parts of a house nobody looks at are where the expensive surprises live, so that's where I spend my time.
Watch: 60 Seconds on This
Sixty seconds, no jargon. Same thing I'd tell you standing in the driveway.
Cardinal DealGuard
Here's the part most buyers don't think about: the seller agrees to make repairs, and then… who actually checks? I do. When the work is done I come back out, verify every item on the list, photograph it, and send a same-day report you can hand to your lender and title company. Three tiers starting at $100 — see what fits your repair list →
Step 6, in a sense — the one most people don't know to ask about.
Start to Finish, in a Client's Words
Stephen booked online and wrote the whole experience up on Yelp afterwards. Word for word.
We used Cardinal Home Inspections to inspect a house that we were considering for purchase. The online appointment system was easy to navigate. Communication prior to the inspection was excellent. Jeff showed up on time. The inspection was thorough. After the inspection but before sending me his report, he spent an hour on the phone with me reviewing his findings and answering any questions. I received the report the same night as the inspection occurred. A day later, he responded to a follow up question by email. Jeff was great all the way around and I would trust him to inspect other properties that might consider.
Ready When You Are
Book online in about two minutes, or call and I'll walk you through anything you're unsure about first.
📅 Book Your Inspection 📞 (903) 808-3898