About the Author
Jeff Kinton is the owner of SafeHarbor Inspection Group and has completed more than 5,000 home inspections throughout the Atlanta area. His approach is simple: explain what matters, put defects in proper context, and provide perspective instead of panic.
Atlanta Home Inspector Since 2015
For Buyers, For Clarity
Should I Attend My Home Inspection?
By Jeff Kinton
SafeHarbor Inspection Group
Quick Answer
Yes. In fact, I strongly encourage it.
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While you'll receive a detailed inspection report after the inspection is complete, nothing replaces walking through the home with your inspector. The report tells you what was found. The walkthrough helps you understand what it means.
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It's your opportunity to ask questions, see important items in person, learn how the home's major systems operate, and gain confidence before making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Why I Believe the Walkthrough Is One of the Most Valuable Parts of the Inspection
Every inspector has a slightly different philosophy. ​Some companies encourage buyers to attend the inspection. Others prefer clients to arrive only after the inspection is complete. Neither approach is necessarily wrong.
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Personally, I believe the walkthrough is one of the most valuable parts of the entire inspection process.
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By the time you've hired an inspector, you've already made an important decision. Whether your inspector came recommended by your real estate agent or you found them on your own, you've placed your trust in someone to evaluate what may become your future home.
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The walkthrough is where that inspection report becomes a conversation. ​Instead of simply receiving a document full of observations, you get the opportunity to hear the story behind the house from someone who's spent the last couple of hours examining it from roof to crawlspace.
A Home Inspection Report Can Look More Intimidating Than It Really Is
One of the biggest misconceptions about home inspections is that a long report means a bad house.
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It doesn't.
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A thorough inspection report documents everything from a window that sticks slightly to a loose doorknob, worn weatherstripping, or a door that needs a simple adjustment. Those observations help create a complete picture of the home's condition, but they aren't necessarily major concerns.
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Without context, however, opening a 70 or 80-page report for the first time can feel overwhelming. ​I've had many clients tell me they saw the size of the report before reading it and immediately wondered if something was terribly wrong.
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That's one of the biggest reasons I encourage the walkthrough.
By the time you receive the report, you'll already understand the "big picture." You'll know which items deserve immediate attention, which ones are routine maintenance, and which are simply part of owning a home.
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Instead of wondering whether the sky is falling, you'll have the confidence to read the report with the proper perspective.
There's No Substitute for Seeing Things with Your Own Eyes
Inspection reports include photographs, arrows, and detailed descriptions, and those are incredibly helpful. ​But seeing something in person is different.
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During the walkthrough, I'll point out important components that you'll likely use for years to come, such as:
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The main water shutoff valve
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Electrical panels
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HVAC equipment
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Water heaters
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Sump pumps (when present)
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Sewer ejector pumps (when present)
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Crawlspace or attic access locations
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Other important controls specific to your home​
These are things you'll probably want to know sooner or later anyway. Learning where they are before moving in can save time, frustration, and sometimes even prevent damage during an emergency.
A Walkthrough Helps You Get to Know Your New Home
Buying a home moves fast.
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Once you're under contract, deadlines begin stacking up almost immediately. Between inspections, financing, insurance, repair negotiations, and closing preparations, it can feel like you're simply racing toward the finish line. ​The walkthrough gives you an opportunity to slow down for a few minutes.
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You'll notice details you may have missed during your showing. You might take measurements for furniture, think about paint colors, or simply begin imagining yourself living there.
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I often tell clients that this is one of the first opportunities to really connect with the house—not as a property they're trying to buy, but as the place they'll soon call home.
Home Inspections Shouldn't Add Stress
Buying a home is exciting. ​It's also stressful. ​For many people, it's the largest purchase they'll ever make. A good home inspector isn't simply there to point out defects. ​They're there to help you understand the home.
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That means explaining concerns honestly, putting them into proper context, answering your questions, and pointing out the home's strengths along with its weaknesses.
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Most houses have imperfections. ​That's normal.
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My goal isn't to scare buyers away from homes.
It's to give them the information they need to make confident decisions.
When Should You Arrive?
Most inspections take between 1½ and 2 hours, although larger or more complex homes can take longer. ​Clients are welcome to arrive at any time during the inspection. ​That said, I generally recommend arriving during the last 30 to 45 minutes whenever possible.
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By then I've completed most of the inspection, gathered my notes, and can walk through the home with you from beginning to end without constantly stopping to inspect another component.
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It creates a much more relaxed conversation and allows us to focus entirely on your questions and the overall condition of the home.
Five Things to Bring to Your Home Inspection
You don't need much, but these items can make your walkthrough even more productive.
A Tape Measure
You'll probably want to check furniture sizes, appliance clearances, or room dimensions.
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​Comfortable Shoes
We'll likely walk through the entire property, including exterior areas, garages, basements, or crawlspaces where accessible.
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A List of Questions
No question is too small. If you've been wondering about something, this is the perfect time to ask.
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An Open Mind
Every home has maintenance items. The goal isn't to find a perfect house. The goal is to understand the one you're buying.
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The Seller’s Property Disclosure
If available, bring the seller’s property disclosure. It may contain useful information about previous water intrusion, repairs, roof age, HVAC replacement, or other conditions relevant to the inspection.
Final Thoughts
A home inspection is much more than a report. ​It's an opportunity to learn about one of the biggest investments you'll ever make.
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The written report becomes your long-term reference after closing, but the walkthrough is where everything comes together.​ It's where questions get answered. ​It's where concerns are put into perspective. ​And it's where a house begins to feel less like a transaction and more like your future home.
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If you're able to attend your home inspection, I encourage you to do it. I think you'll leave with a better understanding of the home—and greater confidence in the decision you're about to make.
Need a Home Inspection in Atlanta?
SafeHarbor Inspection Group has completed more than 5,000 home inspections throughout the Atlanta area. If you're buying a home and would like a thorough, easy-to-understand evaluation of the property, we'd be happy to help.
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