{"id":110699,"date":"2026-07-14T09:14:57","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T16:14:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=110699"},"modified":"2026-07-14T11:23:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T18:23:44","slug":"questions-to-ask-home-inspector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-home-inspector\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector After Receiving Your Inspection Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buying a home<\/span><\/a> is exciting, but reviewing the inspection report can quickly turn into information overload. It’s common for reports to include dozens of findings, many of which are routine maintenance items rather than major concerns. The key is knowing which issues deserve your immediate attention and which can wait.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of asking whether a home “passed” the inspection \u2013 because <\/span>home inspections<\/span><\/a> aren’t pass-or-fail \u2013 focus on asking the right questions. Knowing the questions to ask a home inspector after reviewing the report can help you better understand the home’s condition, estimate future costs, and decide whether to negotiate repairs, request <\/span>credits<\/span><\/a>, or move forward with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the most important questions to ask before closing.
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1. Which findings are immediate safety concerns?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Not every issue carries the same weight. Start by asking your inspector which items pose a safety risk or require immediate attention. These could include electrical or fire hazards, suspected gas leaks, significant structural concerns, active water intrusion, or roofing defects that require prompt attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Maxwell Home Inspection Services<\/span><\/a>, “A home inspection report should be viewed as a roadmap to understanding the condition of a home, not simply a list of defects. Buyers should ask which findings are immediate safety concerns, which items could impact the home’s structural integrity or major systems, what repairs should be prioritized before closing, and which recommendations warrant further evaluation by a licensed specialist.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing which repairs can’t wait helps you determine whether they’re worth negotiating with the seller or budgeting for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Are these cosmetic issues or signs of a bigger problem?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Scuffed paint, cracked caulk, or loose cabinet hardware are usually simple fixes. However, water stains, uneven floors, or recurring cracks could indicate underlying structural or moisture issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jim and Laura Troth, owners of <\/span>Habitation Investigation<\/span><\/a>, recommend focusing on the most significant findings. “A home inspection report can be overwhelming, so buyers should focus on distinguishing cosmetic or maintenance items from issues affecting safety, structural integrity, or issues with major systems such as the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional inspections \u2013 often called ancillary inspections \u2013 can uncover expensive issues that aren’t part of a standard home inspection. “Ancillaries are important as they look at components of the home that are not included in the inspection, but can still be expensive or a safety issue like a chimney or sewer line scope,” they add.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the property\u2019s age, location, condition, and features, buyers may also consider services such as a <\/span>sewer scope<\/span><\/a>, chimney inspection, mold evaluation, radon test, pest inspection, or septic inspection. These evaluations may identify concerns that fall outside the scope of a standard home inspection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. What repairs should I prioritize before closing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some repairs can wait until after move-in. Others may affect financing, insurance, or the home’s livability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask your inspector:<\/span><\/p>\n