Professional home inspections usually take 3+ hours, depending on the size and condition of the house. I suggest that Buyers plan on being present for the final 30 minutes of the inspection to debrief with the inspector and review all findings in person. It’s best to leave the inspector alone to do their job without interference or distraction for the first few hours.
If you have specific concerns or questions about the property that you’d like the inspector to address, it’s best to inform the inspector of your concerns in advance of the inspection. During the debriefing, please bring something to write with so that you can take notes on the information given to you. You have paid for the inspector’s knowledge and expertise, and now is the best time to get to know the property in-depth. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Use this opportunity to ask questions about which noted action items are minor and which are major.
During the first few hours of the inspection while the inspector is hard at work, it’s a great time to walk through and review the home again. I suggest that you take photos for reference, take measurements and draw a property diagram to help plan your furnishings. This is best accomplished in advance of the debriefing appointment with the inspector, so please let me know if you’d like additional time in the house to get some planning done.
Home inspectors do not inspect every single aspect of a property, so it’s important to know what they will or will not be inspecting. It’s uncommon for inspectors to investigate outbuildings (unless specifically requested), the functionality of blinds/window coverings and quality/construction of fences. It is also beyond the expertise of the home inspector to determine the property boundaries; if you are at all concerned about the specific boundaries of a property, I suggest that you hire a surveyor to come identify the corners of the property.