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Home inspection
Home Inspection in Bethesda, MD
A Bethesda house with additions and a downtown condominium both need a clear inspection scope, with accessible systems reviewed on their current condition. A photo report helps you plan your next steps.
Read client reviews Licensed and insured inspectors Serving Bethesda and all of Montgomery County
What we check in a Bethesda 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.
Home inspections for Bethesda properties
For a Bethesda home inspection, identify later additions, finished rooms, and equipment serving the property. A house and an individual condominium unit require different access plans, while both benefit from a clear record of visible findings.
Additions and established houses
Where a Bethesda house has been expanded, the inspector reviews accessible connections between original and later construction. Visible roof drainage, foundation conditions, electrical components, plumbing, and mechanical equipment are evaluated within scope. Share repair history rather than relying on a single construction date for the whole house.
List additions and locate any separate heating or cooling equipment.
An individual unit in a larger building
For a condominium, confirm which equipment serves the unit and whether any of it is behind a locked door. The inspection documents accessible unit components and observed limitations. The building roof, elevators, and central systems require separate consideration and cannot be evaluated through the unit alone.
Arrange management access and provide association responsibility information.
Home inspections around Bethesda
Bethesda sits in Montgomery County, and the same inspectors cover the whole county. Every place below has its own page.
Home inspections by city
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Home inspection questions in Bethesda
Practical questions about planning a home inspection in Bethesda, including scope, access, and the report.
What does a home inspection in Bethesda cover?
The agreed visual scope covers safely accessible structure, roof, exterior, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, interior, attic, and site drainage. The report describes observed conditions and areas that could not be inspected. Confirm the scope for a condominium, multiple units, or detached structures when booking.
What is included when the home has shared systems?
Confirm the unit boundaries and association responsibilities before booking. The inspection covers the agreed accessible components serving the property. Roofs, elevators, central equipment, and other common areas may require a separate scope and access arranged through building management.
Can an inspection evaluate a finished addition?
The inspector reviews visible connections, accessible systems, and observed conditions in the included space. Finished walls and ceilings conceal parts of the work. Share renovation dates and known repairs; a visual inspection cannot certify concealed workmanship or permit approval.
Should I mention a previous leak that has been repaired?
Yes. Give the location, approximate date, repair details, and any recurring symptoms. The inspector documents visible conditions and related access limitations. A dry surface on the day of the visit does not establish that concealed materials are unaffected or that a leak cannot recur.
Can I attend the final walkthrough?
Yes. You can attend the visit or join the walkthrough near the end. This gives you a chance to see findings in the property and ask questions before reviewing the written photo report. Coordinate your timing and any building access rules with the office.
How should I prepare for a Bethesda home inspection?
Arrange access to the attic or lower spaces, electrical panels, utility equipment, and every unit or structure in the agreed scope. Share known repairs and coordinate keys or management access before the appointment.
Explore Our Inspection Reports
- HD Photography
- Commentary & Recommendations
- Grading Scale
- Repair, Safety & Maintenance