Is Your Home Inspection Really Complete? 5 Areas Many Inspectors Skip
Most people assume their inspector follows a full home inspection checklist—but in reality, not every inspection is as thorough as it should be. Some inspectors move quickly, stay on the surface, or skip areas that are inconvenient, messy, or time-consuming.
Over the years, I’ve inspected homes across Eastern North Carolina, including in Hubert, and I’ve seen the difference a complete inspection makes. I’ve also seen what many other inspectors leave out. If you’re about to buy a home, here are five key areas that are often overlooked—but absolutely deserve to be on your home inspection checklist.
1. The Crawl Space
I’m always surprised how many inspectors never actually enter the crawl space. Some just shine a flashlight from the access door and call it good.
But the crawl space can reveal more about a home’s true condition than almost any other part of the property. I’ve found moisture, mold, standing water, pest damage, and even structural issues that had gone undetected.
A complete home inspection checklist should always include a physical entry and full inspection of the crawl space—especially in our humid climate here in Hubert.
2. The Roof – From Above
Not every inspector climbs roofs—and that’s understandable. Steep pitches, slippery surfaces, and safety concerns matter. But that doesn’t mean a roof should go unchecked.
When a roof isn’t walkable, I use a drone to capture high-resolution images from above. I look for cracked shingles, soft spots, damaged flashing, and areas of ponding water. These are details that can’t be seen from the ground and definitely shouldn’t be skipped.
If your inspector isn’t using safe, modern tools to inspect the roof properly, a critical part of your home inspection checklist is being missed.
3. Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging isn’t standard in the industry—but it should be. This tool allows me to detect subtle temperature differences that often point to larger issues, such as:
Hidden roof leaks
Air leaks around windows or doors
Electrical overheating
Missing insulation in walls or ceilings
I’ve found water intrusion and electrical risks that weren’t visible to the eye—but showed up clearly with infrared. If your inspector doesn’t offer this technology, you’re missing a valuable part of a modern home inspection checklist.
4. Electrical System Details
Many inspectors open the electrical panel, take a photo, and move on. I go deeper. I check:
Whether breakers are labeled properly
If there are signs of overheating, rust, or double-tapped circuits
If the wiring gauge matches the breaker size
Electrical issues are serious and expensive to fix later—yet they’re often overlooked. A detailed electrical review is essential to a complete inspection.
5. Ventilation Systems
Ventilation is one of the most ignored areas during an inspection—especially in attics and crawl spaces. But poor ventilation can lead to:
Excessive moisture buildup
Mold and mildew
Reduced HVAC efficiency
Shortened roof life
I always check if the vents are present, unobstructed, and functioning properly. It’s a small step with a big impact—especially in places like Hubert, where humidity is a constant challenge.
Final Thoughts
A home inspection checklist shouldn’t just be a formality. It should give you peace of mind that the house has been thoroughly evaluated—from the crawl space to the roof, and everything in between.
That’s why I take my time and make sure you’re not left with surprises after you move in.
Buying a home in Hubert or anywhere in Eastern North Carolina? Book an inspection now and make sure no important detail is skipped.