Buyer inspections

This is our mainstay and most requested service. If you are in a traditional contract this is the way to go.

Inspection photo: attic roof framing

What's Included

Every system, on every visit. Click a system to jump to it.

Inspection photo: furnace air handler

Structure and foundation

slab condition, visible cracking, settlement signs, and crawlspace components where accessible.

Front exterior of a Spanish-style stucco house with terracotta tile roof, arched entry door, and manicured landscaping in San Diego

Roof

covering material, flashing, drainage, and visible signs of leaks or aging.

Home inspection of a stucco residence in San Diego

Exterior

siding, stucco, trim, grading, walkways, and drainage away from the foundation.

Home inspection of a stucco residence in San Diego

Electrical

main panel, breakers, visible wiring, GFCI/AFCI protection, and a representative sample of outlets and fixtures.

Contemporary home exterior showing warm cedar stair treads leading to a large black-framed sliding glass door with tropical garden and stone steppers

Plumbing

supply lines, drains, water heater, functional flow and drainage, and visible leaks or corrosion.

Clean modern kitchen with white shaker cabinets with black hardware, hardwood floors, and natural light from flanking windows

HVAC

heating and cooling equipment operation, age indicators, and accessible ductwork.

Kitchen with wood cabinets and gas range during a home inspection

Interior

walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, and stairs.

Inspection photo: inspections 1

Attic and insulation

ventilation, insulation, and signs of moisture intrusion.

Inspection photo: inspections 2

For prospective buyers

Our Expertise Is Finding And Reporting On The Hidden and Undisclosed Material Defects That Exist In The Property!

This is our mainstay and most requested service. If you are in a traditional contract this is the way to go. Our prospective buyer’s home inspection includes a walkthrough, Infrared camera scan, moisture meter, and mold risk assessment.

We will thoroughly assess of all the major components of the home including the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and much more. Our exterior and interior home inspection will give you all the comprehensive information you need to make an informed decision as to a fair price for the home. After our inspection is complete, we deliver an electronic report that includes photographs of the home and any problems we find. Our goal is to help you understand the condition of the home you are considering, so you aren’t surprised with any major repair costs. Click here to see our verified reviews.

San Diego Home Inspection is the one my clients love. Professional, thorough, respectful, and consistently dependable.
Dillon Checkal
Dillon Checkal
Real estate agent · Point Loma
Inspection photo: inspections 3

Non-invasive piping test

During our home inspections we identify whether or not a home has polybutylene piping, which greatly affects the value of a home. Today it’s common practice to replace any polybutylene piping in a home. Replacement costs can run from approximately $10,000 and up and can quickly make a potential buyer walk from the sale. Our patented technology allows us to determine whether or not polybutylene piping exists behind the walls without having to cut open the walls or perform any invasive inspections. Our guarantee assures that you know whether or not a home has polybutylene piping.

Inspection photo: inspections 4

Comprehensive reports

After completing our inspection, we will provide you with a detailed digital report that is complete with images and descriptions of all our findings. Despite being thorough, this report is easy to understand. With all this clear information, this report can be a powerful tool in the negotiation or repair process.

How it works

From booking to report

1

Schedule Within Your Contingency Window

Escrow timelines move fast. Once you are in contract, contact us right away so we can get on-site inside your inspection contingency. We coordinate access with your agent and the listing side and confirm everything in advance so there are no surprises on inspection day.

2

On-Site Inspection

The inspector walks the entire property, examining every accessible system from roof to foundation. We document conditions with photographs as we go and note both safety issues and routine maintenance items. You are encouraged to attend, especially for the walkthrough, so you can see findings firsthand and ask questions in real time.

3

Detailed Digital Report

You receive a clear, organized report that separates major concerns from minor and cosmetic items, complete with photos and plain-English explanations. You can preview the format on our sample reports page. The report becomes the factual basis for any repair requests or price renegotiation.

4

Follow-Up and Questions

An inspection is only useful if you understand it. After delivery, we are available to walk you through findings, clarify severity, and help you and your agent prioritize what matters before your contingency expires.

Customer stories

Saving tens of thousands in repairs.

Dillon Checkal
Dillon Checkal
Real estate agent · Point Loma
San Diego Home Inspection is the one my clients love. Professional, thorough, respectful, and consistently dependable.
10+ yrs

Sending his clients to Joe for a decade

Read the review
Angela Ramirez
Angela Ramirez
Homebuyer · San Diego
Joe discovered the foundation was completely shot. Thankfully the seller agreed to pay for the repairs.
$40K

Foundation repair paid by the seller

Read the review
Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes
Real estate agent · San Diego
Joe has been my go-to Home Inspector for all my clients. Reliable, punctual, and professional.
100%

Of his clients referred to Joe

Read the review
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen
Homebuyer · San Diego
Thanks to their detailed report, we negotiated thousands of dollars in repairs and credits from the seller.
$1,000s

Recovered in repairs and seller credits

Read the review
Erik Egelko
Erik Egelko
Real estate broker
Joe Romeo is top of my list when it comes to recommending an inspector to clients — prompt and thorough.
#1

On his inspector referral list

Read the review
Ed McCarthy
Ed McCarthy
Homebuyer · San Diego
He came on short notice, arrived early, and left no stone unturned. His references to specialists were particularly helpful.
24 hrs

Report delivered within a day

Read the review
Shana Torner
Shana Torner
Homebuyer
I was looking for someone thorough, professional and honest. Joe was all of these things AND a super nice guy.
5★

Thorough, professional and honest

Read the review
Assaf Avissar
Assaf Avissar
Homebuyer · Carlsbad
I've hired them before across Chula Vista, Clairemont, Carmel Valley, and Mission Valley — nothing but a good experience.

Hired across five neighborhoods

Read the review
Pricing

What a buyer inspection costs

Full fee schedule

Priced by property type and square footage, nothing hidden.

  • Single family, from$475
  • Condominium unit, from$395
  • Townhome or attached, from$425
  • Raised foundation+ $150

Add $150 for all raised foundation type properties

  • Sewer Camera Inspection (standalone)$475
  • Sewer Camera Inspection (with home inspection)$299
  • Pool & Spa Inspection (standalone)$475
  • Pool & Spa Inspection (with home inspection)$375
Learn more

Buyer inspections: questions we get

How long does a buyer's home inspection take?

It depends on the size, age, and condition of the home, but most single-family inspections take a few hours on-site. Larger or older properties with more systems to evaluate take longer. Same-day digital reports are typical, so you are not left waiting inside a tight contingency window.

Should I attend the inspection?

Yes, we encourage it. Attending — especially for the final walkthrough — lets you see issues in context, understand which findings are serious versus routine, and ask questions directly. It turns the report from a document into real understanding of your future home.

Does the inspection cover everything in the house?

A general inspection is a visual evaluation of readily accessible systems; we cannot see inside walls or underground. Specialized concerns like the underground sewer line or hidden moisture detected by infrared imaging are separate services. We will recommend add-ons when a property's age or location makes them worthwhile.

What happens if the inspection finds problems?

That is exactly what it is for. The report gives you and your agent a factual basis to request repairs, ask for a credit, renegotiate price, or — in serious cases — reconsider the purchase, all while you are still inside your contingency period.

Can you inspect condos and townhomes too?

Yes. For attached units we focus on the interior systems and the components you are responsible for. If the building involves elevated decks or balconies under California's balcony-inspection laws, those fall under separate SB-326 or SB-721 requirements.

What is a buyer's home inspection during the escrow contingency period?

A buyer's home inspection is a non-invasive evaluation of a home's condition performed during your escrow inspection contingency, before your purchase becomes final. The Real Estate Inspection Company examines the property and delivers a written report so you can request repairs, renegotiate, or cancel within your contingency window. It protects your money before you commit to the San Diego home.

When should I schedule my inspection during escrow?

Schedule it as soon as your offer is accepted, because your inspection contingency runs on a strict timeline, typically 17 days in California unless your contract states otherwise. Booking early gives you room to review the report, get follow-up quotes, and negotiate before the deadline. Call (619) 752-4399 right after acceptance so we can fit your escrow timeline.

What does a buyer's inspection include and check?

A standard inspection covers the roof, exterior, foundation and visible structure, attic, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, water heater, insulation, and built-in appliances. Joseph Romeo, an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector, documents findings with photos. We also offer add-ons like sewer camera scoping, thermal imaging, pool and spa, and visual roof inspections so you understand the full picture before closing.

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