What Happens During Your 2-4 Hour Home Inspection? (And Why You Should Be There)

You have made an offer, it was accepted, and now the clock is ticking on your contingency period. You have hired CIS Home Inspections, but you might be wondering: “What are they actually going to do for four hours? Do I just sit there?”

For many first-time buyers in Calabasas and the Valley, the inspection is a mystery box. You pay a fee, and a day later, you get a scary-looking PDF. But the real value of the inspection happens on-site.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at our process and why we strongly encourage you to attend.

The Roadmap: How We Inspect a Home

A thorough inspection isn’t random; it’s a systematic sweep of the property. While every home is different, our workflow generally follows this pattern:

1. The Exterior & Roof (The Shell)

We usually start outside. We walk the perimeter, checking the grading (drainage), the driveway, and the siding/stucco. We then head up to the roof. Whether it is Spanish tile or asphalt shingle, we are looking for cracked tiles, flashing issues, and wear that could lead to leaks.

2. The Systems (The Organs)

Next, we check the major mechanical systems. This includes the HVAC units (usually in the attic or side yard), the water heater, and the electrical panel. We remove the “dead front” cover of the electrical panel to check for unsafe wiring, overheating, or ungrounded circuits.

3. The Interior (The Living Space)

We move room by room, testing outlets, opening and closing windows, running faucets, and flushing toilets. We are looking for the small things that add up: a stuck window sash, a wobbly toilet, or a GFCI outlet that doesn’t reset.

4. The Attic and Crawlspace (The Dark Corners)

This is the part most homeowners never see. We crawl into the attic to check insulation levels, structural trusses, and ductwork. If the home has a raised foundation, we go underneath to check for plumbing leaks, termite damage, or foundation cracks.

Why You Should Attend the Inspection

We often hear buyers say, “I’ll just wait for the report.” This is a mistake. Here is why being there (even just for the last hour) is crucial:

1. Context is Everything

Reading “Defect: Loose toilet connection” in a PDF can sound alarming. Seeing us wiggle the toilet with our hand and explaining, “This just needs a new wax ring, it’s a $150 repair,” makes it manageable. We help you distinguish between Maintenance Items and Money Pits.

2. Learn How Your Home Works

Do you know where your main water shut-off valve is? Do you know how to change the filter on your specific furnace? During the inspection, we act as a teacher. We will show you exactly where these critical controls are so you aren’t scrambling during an emergency.

3. Ask Questions in Real-Time

If you have specific concerns—like, “Can we knock down this wall?” or “Is this crack in the stucco normal?”—we can address them right then and there with the visual evidence in front of us.

The “Summary Walkthrough”

If you can’t be there for the full 3-4 hours, that is okay. We recommend arriving for the last 30-45 minutes. We will walk you through the home physically, pointing out the major findings so there are no surprises when the email hits your inbox later that night.

Your home is likely the biggest purchase of your life. Don’t buy it blind. Come walk it with us.

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