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Home inspection
Home Inspection in Columbia, MD
From a Wilde Lake rambler to a Town Center condominium, the inspector spends the visit on what the house is doing now, not what its village implies.
4.9 rating, over 4,000 reviews Licensed and insured inspectors Serving Columbia and all of Howard County
Schedule a home inspection Get a home inspection quote Call (703) 450-6398
What our customers say
From our customer reviews.
They were available as a last minute request and did a thorough and extremely efficient job for my home inspection.
His knowledge and expertise gave me great confidence in understanding the condition of the home.
That level of responsiveness and professionalism truly helped keep the transaction moving smoothly and allowed me to meet critical deadlines on time.
Great service, very thorough inspection and highlighted items in a very approachable and organized manner.
What we check in a Columbia 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.
Columbia home inspections by property type
A home inspection in Columbia, Maryland, should follow the property you are buying: an older detached house, an attached townhouse, or a condominium unit. Tell us about additions, finished basements, association responsibilities, and any areas that require coordinated access. The inspector reports visible conditions in the agreed scope, including limitations where a component belongs to a larger building or cannot be reached.
Additions and major systems
For a detached house in Columbia, the inspector reviews accessible roof, structure, exterior, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, interior, attic, and drainage within the agreed scope. A finished lower level or rear addition may conceal framing or plumbing, so share repair history and identify access panels. The report describes what was observed and where finishes or belongings limited the view.
Clear the electrical panel, attic hatch, heating and cooling equipment, water heater, and any crawlspace entry. Bring records for additions, basement finishing, roof work, and previous water entry.
Unit systems and shared components
For a Columbia townhouse or condominium, confirm which roof, exterior, balcony, plumbing, and mechanical components are inside the inspection scope and which are maintained by an association. The inspector evaluates accessible systems and finishes in the booked unit and notes visible issues at shared boundaries. A unit inspection does not establish the condition of a neighboring unit or every common element.
Provide the association's maintenance responsibilities and arrange access to the unit's electrical panel, mechanical closet, attic or storage space, and any shared area included in the appointment.
Home inspections around Columbia
Columbia sits in Howard County, and the same inspectors cover the whole county. Every place below has its own page.
Home inspections by city
Virginia
Washington DC
Columbia home inspection, direct from the field
What Columbia buyers ask about detached houses, townhouses, and condominium inspections.
What does a Columbia home inspection include?
The agreed visual inspection covers safely accessible structure, roof and exterior where included, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, interior, attic, and site conditions. The report records observed defects and access limitations.
How is a Town Center condominium inspection scoped?
Confirm the unit boundaries and association responsibilities before booking. The inspector reviews accessible systems and finishes in the booked unit. Common roofs, lobbies, elevators, and other shared components require a separately agreed scope and access.
Can an Oakland Mills townhouse's shared wall be inspected?
The inspector can evaluate visible surfaces and accessible systems on your side of the shared wall. The visit does not establish the condition of the neighboring unit or concealed areas. Reported limitations help you decide whether to ask the association or a specialist for more information.
Should I share records for an addition or finished basement?
Yes. Dates, permits, invoices, and photos can help the inspector understand how the space changed. The inspection still reports the conditions visible on the day of the visit, rather than certifying concealed work or code compliance.
Can radon testing be arranged with a Columbia home inspection?
Ask for radon testing when booking if you want it alongside the inspection. It is a separate service with its own measurement and result; a visual home inspection does not measure indoor radon.
How should I prepare a Columbia property for inspection?
Identify the property type and association responsibilities. Clear access to the electrical panel, mechanical equipment, attic hatch, and lower spaces, and coordinate entry to any shared area included in the appointment.
Confirm your Columbia home inspection
Share the property address, type and size to confirm the inspection price and scope. Ask about selected add-on services, access and timing before booking.
Explore Our Inspection Reports
- HD Photography
- Commentary & Recommendations
- Grading Scale
- Repair, Safety & Maintenance