Your inspection: scope & preparation

What’s included in your home inspection → Scope, limitations and what you receive.

Before the visit

• Arrange property access and timing with the people involved in the purchase.
• Share known concerns, detached structures, multiple systems and any pool or spa. For condos and townhomes, mention shared components and access restrictions.

Thermal imaging and irrigation testing, when a system is present, are included with the home inspection. They do not need separate bookings.

Attendance and timing

You are welcome to attend and follow along. Ask about anything you have noticed, such as a sticking door, a slow drain or a room that feels warmer than the others. If you cannot attend, send your concerns before the visit and discuss questions after reading the report.

Near the end, Eaton will review the major systems and important findings. The walkthrough often includes the roof, foundation, plumbing, HVAC, attic and appliances, along with useful details such as shutoffs, electrical panels and GFCI resets. Ask for a brief overview or more detail, whichever helps you.

Duration depends on size, age, condition and the number of systems. A smaller, straightforward home may take around 2.5 hours. Larger or more complicated homes can take substantially longer.

Your same-day report

Your Spectora report includes findings, photos, locations and recommendations. Minor, moderate and major categories help organize priorities. Start with the summary, then read the full report, including limitations.

Call or text Eaton afterward to clarify a finding or discuss next steps. He can help you identify questions to ask the repair contractor. Confirming completed work may require an on-site evaluation.

What’s included in your sewer scope → Scope, limitations and what you receive.

Arrange property access

You do not need to attend. Eaton can coordinate access through your agent, ShowingTime, Supra eKEY, a lockbox or another agreed method.

Interior access and active utilities are not required for the sewer scope. Running water, when available, helps Eaton observe flow and standing water. Those observations do not establish that the line is free of leaks or blockages.

Optional cleanout information

Cleanouts often look like capped pipes near ground level or exterior walls. They may also be in a garage, laundry area or under a sink. Share anything you already know, including if you have not seen a cleanout.

You do not need to search, dig, open caps or climb onto the roof. Eaton looks for suitable access.

Timing and report

Allow about an hour. The visit may be shorter or longer depending on access and findings.

Your Spectora report arrives the same day and includes findings, locations, recommendations and a link to the narrated video with defect timestamps.

For an attempted scope where suitable access cannot be achieved, see the access and return-visit fee policy.

What’s included in your termite / WDI inspection → Scope, limitations and what you receive.

WDI inspections are available as an add-on to another inspection service. They are not offered as standalone appointments.

Access and utilities

You do not need to attend, but property access must be arranged. Utilities are not required for the WDI inspection itself; another service booked for the same appointment may require them.

• Provide access to the attic, crawlspace, garage, interior and exterior walls, floors and ceilings.
• Where practical, clear stored items and woodpiles that obstruct the house perimeter or areas to be viewed. You do not need to empty the home.
• Clear areas you specifically want inspected beforehand. Eaton generally does not move large furniture. He may move a small, lightweight item or fold back a rug with no furniture on it when practical. He does not move furniture off rugs to inspect underneath. Remaining obstructions are documented.
• Detached garages and outbuildings require advance arrangements and an additional fee.

Timing and report

WDI adds time depending on the property and overlap with the other services at your appointment. Your official report, diagram and photo addendum arrive the same day.

What’s included in your foundation elevation measurements → Scope, limitations and what you receive.

Make floor locations accessible

Arrange interior access and clear floor locations throughout the home for typically 10–20 ZIPLEVEL readings in a generally grid-like pattern.

Rooms do not need to be empty. A room packed with belongings may prevent readings there. Measurements in other areas can still be useful, but more inaccessible areas reduce coverage.

Provide access and share foundation records

• Arrange interior access and clear floor locations throughout the home for elevation readings. Rooms do not need to be empty, but packed areas may prevent measurements and reduce coverage.
• Provide views of exterior and interior walls, ceilings, floors and doors so visible cracking, sticking doors and related conditions can be documented.
• Share known foundation concerns, previous repair information and available records, including information from the seller.

This is distinct from elevation measurements alone. Eaton coordinates the evaluation with a structural engineer; Eaton is not an engineer. An engineer does not necessarily attend the property. Contact Eaton about the arrangements and report timing for your appointment.

What’s included in your pool / spa inspection → Scope, limitations and what you receive.

Coordinate with the owner or property contact

• Provide access to the backyard, pool or spa, equipment, controls and relevant main panels or subpanels.
• Water should be at the equipment’s normal operating level. Power and any heater fuel service should be available for safe normal operation.
• Make remotes and instructions available. If controls require an app, arrange for someone with access to help.
• Reasonably clear water and removal of excess debris help visibility. Arrange safe cover removal when practical while protecting against unattended pool access.
• Disclose shutdowns, known problems or unusual operating requirements before the appointment.

Low water, poor visibility, unavailable controls or utilities, unsafe equipment or weather may limit testing. Limitations will be documented.

Do not restart unsafe equipment, open electrical covers, operate gas valves or attempt repairs just for the inspection.

What’s included in your pre-pour inspection → Scope, limitations and what you receive.

Coordinate the timing with your builder

Have the builder confirm readiness and the planned pour date. Leave time for the findings, builder review, corrections and any needed return visit before concrete placement.

For the builder or superintendent

• Forms, reinforcing steel or post-tension tendons, supports, vapor barrier, under-slab plumbing and other embedded items should be substantially complete and visible, as applicable.
• Share current foundation plans, engineered details and revisions when available. Let Eaton know about missing or changing documents. Plans are useful but are not a prerequisite for booking.
• Arrange safe site access and provide the superintendent’s contact information.
• Report unfinished work, schedule changes, standing water or unsafe conditions before the appointment.

Required trade tests, municipal inspections and engineering approvals remain separate. Eaton’s inspection does not authorize the pour.

What’s included in your pre-drywall inspection → Scope, limitations and what you receive.

Confirm the stage with your builder

Schedule after framing and mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-ins are complete, before insulation and drywall conceal the work.

Coordinate readiness and property access with the builder.