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Home inspection
Home Inspection in Alexandria, VA
A Virginia licensed inspector walks the house with you, then writes a photo report that says what matters, what can wait, and what to ask for before you close.
Read client reviews Licensed and insured inspectors Serving City of Alexandria
What we check in an Alexandria home
The inspection follows the same 12 areas, from the roof down to the grounds, within the agreed scope and safe access available. It is visual and non-invasive: finishes are not removed, and personal belongings are not moved. Select an area to see what is checked.
- Range, oven and wall oven run normally
- Dishwasher, disposer and microwave run
- Kitchen exhaust fan and the dryer vent exit
- Service entrance, meter and main disconnect
- Panels, breakers, grounding and bonding
- Sampled outlets and switches; GFCI, AFCI, smoke and CO detectors
- Siding, flashing, trim, eaves, soffits and fascia
- Every exterior door and a sample of windows
- Walkways, driveway, stoops, porches, decks and railings
- Foundation walls, slabs and the basement
- Any accessible crawlspace
- Signs of movement, water penetration and wood touching soil
- Vehicle door and opener on their normal controls
- Auto reverse and photo eye safety sensors
- Walls, ceiling, floor and the fire door into the house
- Grading and drainage at the foundation
- Retaining walls and vegetation against the house
- Downspout discharge, walkways, driveway and steps
- Heating and cooling run on their normal controls
- Energy source, method and thermostat location noted
- Visible ducts, filter, condensate drainage and equipment condition
- Floors, walls, ceilings, stairs and railings
- A sample of doors and windows opened and closed
- Accessible attic: insulation depth, ventilation and framing; fireplace and damper
- Sink, faucet, drain and disposer run
- Dishwasher connection checked for leaks
- Cabinets, drawers, counters, floors, walls, ceiling and exhaust fan
- Main water and fuel shut-offs located
- Water heater, its venting and TPR valve; pipe materials
- Every toilet flushed; every sink, tub and shower run
- Coverings, flashing, vents, skylights and chimney
- Gutters, downspouts, eaves and rake
- Roof structure from inside the attic where accessible
- Visible framing, beams, posts and joists
- Masonry walls and the chimney structure
- Settlement signs: cracks, out of square openings, unlevel floors
Every inspection follows a written standard of practice. Need additional testing? Explore radon testing, termite inspection, mold testing and water testing, then confirm your selected services and timing when booking.
Add a package to the inspection
Three packages built around the home inspection. Package prices are for the add-on services only and are added to the inspection price. The savings are against booking the same services one by one.
Home Essentials
The perfect starting point
Home Advantage
Most popular for homebuyers
Home Enhanced
The ultimate peace of mind
Warranties must be requested when you book, not after the inspection. Radon and thermal imaging can also be added on their own. Read more about each package.
What a home inspection actually involves
No jargon, no surprises. Here is the whole visit, start to finish, so you know what you are booking before you book it.
You book, we confirm
Online or by phone, in a few minutes. Your agent can book for you. Add radon, termite or a package at the same time, and we confirm the appointment with you before the visit.
The walk-around
Roof, siding, grading, decks, the garage and the grounds first. The inspector photographs what they find as they go, so the report shows you exactly where each item is.
Systems and accessible spaces
The inspector checks accessible electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling components and operates equipment with normal controls when conditions allow. The report identifies areas that could not be inspected and any recommended follow-up.
The walkthrough and the report
You see the main findings in the house itself. The written report follows online with photos, priorities and what to do about each item.
Alexandria homes, block by block
An Old Town rowhouse and a Del Ray home can raise different questions about alterations, shared walls and access. Start with the actual property address and renovation history: an Alexandria mailing address may be in the independent City of Alexandria or in Fairfax County. Use the correct jurisdiction when requesting permit records.
Attached brick houses
In an attached brick house, the walkthrough focuses on visible electrical and plumbing updates, roof drainage and accessible lower rooms. Share any renovation records and arrange access to the rear exterior before the appointment. Concealed wiring and pipes cannot be traced through finished walls; the report explains access limits and when a specialist should investigate further.
For property within the independent city, City of Alexandria Code Administration is the starting point for permit questions. A condition inspection and a permit-records review answer different questions.
Rosemont Historic District, Alexandria. Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bungalows, foursquares and their additions
If a bungalow or foursquare has a rear extension, a second story or a finished basement, identify those changes when booking. The inspector looks at accessible connections between older and newer construction, visible framing and signs of water entry. Bring available renovation dates and records so the walkthrough can address your specific concerns.
The City's preservation history places most Rosemont houses between 1908 and 1930. Age provides context for questions about later alterations; it does not establish the condition of an individual home.
Home inspections around Alexandria
Alexandria sits between Arlington and Fairfax County, and the same inspectors cover all three. Every place below has its own page.
Home inspections by city
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Alexandria home inspection, answered straight
The questions Alexandria buyers actually ask us, answered without the hedging.
Is Alexandria treated as Fairfax County for an inspection?
The City of Alexandria is independent of Fairfax County, but some Fairfax County properties use an Alexandria mailing address. Confirm the property jurisdiction before requesting permit records. City properties use Alexandria Code Administration; County properties use Fairfax County records. We serve both, and the inspection is scoped to the actual home and available access.
Can you inspect an Old Town rowhouse without disturbing it?
Yes. The inspection examines visible, safely accessible systems and operates equipment with normal controls when conditions allow. We do not cut, drill or remove finishes. Arrange access to panels, hatches and utility equipment before the visit. Concealed areas and any further evaluation needed are identified in the report.
What does a condo inspection include?
A condo inspection focuses on the accessible systems and components serving your unit, including electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and interior areas within the agreed scope. It is not a whole-building inspection of the roof, elevators or common systems. Confirm unit boundaries, equipment access and association responsibilities before booking; the report records what was inspected and any limitations.
How is the price set, and can it change on the day?
The scheduler prices the inspection from the property type and square footage you enter, and shows the number before you confirm. If the size on record turns out to be different from what was entered, we confirm any change with you before the visit, not after it.
Can my agent schedule the Alexandria inspection for me?
Yes. The scheduler has an agent option, prices the inspection the same way, and sends the report to both of you. If a lockbox or the listing agent is involved, tell us at booking so we can arrange access.
What should I prepare for a home inspection in Alexandria?
Bring a list of renovations and ask how access to the rear exterior, lower level and attic will be arranged. Identify shared walls and equipment before booking.
Explore Our Inspection Reports
- HD Photography
- Commentary & Recommendations
- Grading Scale
- Repair, Safety & Maintenance