Most people think of exactly one: before buying. There are four others where an inspection routinely pays for itself.
The classic: a pre-sale inspection gives the buyer the full-system picture and the repair summary becomes the negotiation document. Never skip it — even on new construction, where “new” means “never lived in,” not “flawless.”
A pre-listing inspection lets sellers fix or disclose on their own schedule instead of renegotiating under contingency pressure. Surprises found early are cheap; surprises found by the buyer's inspector are expensive.
The one-year warranty inspection with a punch list turns year-eleven-months defects into builder repairs instead of owner repairs. See the warranty walkthrough.
Roof, drainage, HVAC, water heater and exterior issues compound quietly. A yearly pass — same template as a pre-sale, lighter touch — catches the $300 fix before it becomes the $3,000 one. Equipment ages from the serial lookup help prioritize replacements.
Move-in and move-out condition reports with photos make deposit decisions evidence-based. See rental inspections.
One plan covers all five — $59/mo →
What do inspectors check? →
How to read your report →
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