How long does a home inspection take?

“Oh wow, it takes that long?”

That’s a common reaction we hear when we tell clients that a typical home inspection can take around 2-3 hours. There’s a common misconception that home inspectors just breeze through houses with a clipboard, checking boxes and moving on to the next job. That might have been true decades ago—but not anymore.

Modern home inspections are detailed, data-driven, and methodical. We’re not just walking through your home; we’re evaluating hundreds of components that make up its structure, safety, and functionality.

Let’s break down what really determines how long an inspection takes.

🏠 1. Size of the Home

A standard home inspection for a 1,500–2,000 sq. ft. home in good condition usually takes 2–3 hours.
For every additional 500 square feet, you can expect roughly 30 more minutes.

For example, a 3,500 sq. ft. home with multiple systems could take 3–4 hours to inspect thoroughly. More space means more systems, outlets, doors, windows, and safety items to test and document.

⚙️ 2. Condition of the Property

This is often the biggest factor. A well-maintained home will naturally take less time than one with years of deferred maintenance.

A property with multiple defects that require photos and notes for documentation can easily add an hour or more to the process.

We’ve seen 2,000 sq. ft. homes inspected in just 2 hours when in great condition—and others of the same size take 4 hours due to extensive issues.

🧱 3. Age of the Home

Older homes, especially those built 50–100+ years ago, require extra attention. They often have unique challenges like:

• Outdated or mixed electrical systems

• Rusted cast iron or improperly connected PVC piping

• Galvanized pipes joined with copper, CPVC, or PEX

• Structural repairs that may not meet current standards

These complexities take more time to evaluate properly and document for accuracy.

🔧 4. Number of Mechanical Systems

Larger homes typically have multiple HVAC units, water heaters, electrical panels, and appliances, plus detached structures such as pools, guest houses, or outdoor kitchens—all of which must be inspected.

It’s not uncommon for a 4,000 sq. ft. home to have:

• 3 heating and cooling systems

• 2 water heaters

• 2 electrical panels

Each additional system adds time to the inspection.

📋 5. The Report Process

In the past, home inspection reports could take days to deliver. Inspectors used to download photos, resize images, and type up findings manually in Word.

Thanks to modern technology, we now complete about 90% of the report on-site. So when you see us tapping on our phones, don’t worry—we’re not scrolling TikTok. We’re documenting photos, labeling deficiencies, and preparing your digital report in real time.

💬 The Florida Property Group Difference

At Florida Property Group, we treat every home as if we were buying it ourselves. That means walking the roof, scanning with infrared, opening every window, and running every fixture.

It’s easy to see how a thorough inspection can hit the 3-hour mark—or more.

✅ Final Thoughts

Inspection time depends mainly on two things:

1. Size of the home

2. Condition of the home

A small 600 sq. ft. condo might take just 2 hours, while a 10,000 sq. ft. estate could take most of the day. On average, expect around 2–3 hours for a standard Florida single-family home.

We’ve also made it easy to see what to expect. You can view sample inspection reports and other helpful resources on our website.

👉 Visit Florida Property Group to learn more and see why we’re trusted across Florida for our thorough, client-focused home inspections.

-Nate