1) Typically a pre-purchase inspection is performed after a contract for sale and purchase has been accepted. 

The contract should contain an inspection contingency clause. In addition to facilitating language, a general home inspection contingency clause should specify that the buyer may cancel the contract, at their sole discretion, if inspection findings are not satisfactory to the buyer.

A contract will typically specify an inspection period (a limited time frame during which the buyer may have an inspection performed and cancel the contract).  An inspection period of 5, 7, or 10 days is common.

2) Once the contract is accepted (or permission to perform an inspection is granted), call me to set up a date and time for the inspection.  I can typically schedule your inspection within a few days of notice.

In order to perform the inspection, all utilities (water - electricity - gas) should be active.  Please ensure that the utilities are on (it is typical for the purchase contract to require that the seller make the utilities available for the inspection period).  Note: it can sometimes take several days to facilitate activation of deactivated utilities—don’t wait to the last minute!

Full access to the property will of course be required.  Typically the inspector is let into the home by the seller, real estate agent, or an authorized representative of the seller.  Arrangement for property access is the responsibility of the home buyer, either directly or through their representative.

3) The length of time required for inspection of most homes will range from around 2.5-4.5 hours.  The duration of the inspection is primarily related to the size and complexity of the home and the number of issues encountered.  Please inform all concerned parties to anticipate, and allow for, all time needed to perform your inspection.

Although not required, I prefer that my clients meet me at the property for the inspection.  You will typically gain a better understanding of the home condition if we can directly discuss, on site, the inspection findings. Of course, if you can not be present, we can discuss the inspection results over the phone.

4) An inspection report will be prepared latter in the day after completion of the inspection.  The report will be made available on our web site (accessible with your specific password), will be physically mailed to you, and can also be sent to you by Email.  The report is almost always available by the evening of the inspection day.

Considering intrinsic limitations of the inspection, further evaluation beyond the scope of the home inspection may be needed to fully determine the extent and significance of certain issues and concerns which have been reported.  If appropriate, you should arrange for further evaluation as needed so that you are well informed.

5) Once informed of the home condition, you can use this information to go about getting any deficiencies taken care of on your own, determine whether proceeding with the purchase of the home is prudent, or perhaps use this knowledge to negotiate the terms of your home purchase.