Buyer's Inspections

Pre-Closing Home Inspections for Homebuyers in Greater St. Louis

Proudly Providing Inspection Services for St. Charles, O’Fallon, St. Peters, Wentzville, Harvester, and the Greater St. Louis Area

Purchasing a home is one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make. Don’t let surprises get in the way of enjoying your new home. Our detailed inspections provide you with a clear understanding of the property’s condition, empowering you to make an informed decision and negotiate effectively.

Why Do You Need a Buyer's Inspection?

Peace of Mind: Buying a home is a major commitment. Our inspections give you confidence knowing that the property has been thoroughly examined by professionals.
Informed Decision-Making: Understand the true condition of the home before you close the deal. Whether it’s minor repairs or significant issues, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into. You can also use your inspection report to negotiate repairs with the home seller.
Develop a Maintenance Plan & Budget for Future Projects: By having the full picture of your new home, you'll better understand the routine maintenance tasks required to preserve the value of your property. During the walkthrough with your NPI inspector, we'll show you the locations of important safety components and major systems so you feel comfortable in your new space.

Our NPI inspectors were beyond thorough, more than happy to educate along the way, and overall made my fiancé and I feel more comfortable about buying our first home. If you’re going somewhere else, you’ve already messed up.

Explore a Sample NPI Home Inspection Report

Our comprehensive, easy-to-read reports are emailed to you within 24 hours of the inspection. They include a general summary of the home, home maintenance recommendations, and explanations of the condition of the home’s structure, systems, and appliances.

What's Included in an NPI Home Inspection?

Roof & Attic

NPI inspectors walk your roof to identify issues like warped shingles or worn flashings, and attics are checked for signs of water intrusion and wildlife.

Plumbing

All plumbing fixtures are evaluated for proper draining and signs of leaks. Your inspector also checks the hot/cold water supplies.

Electrical

Your inspector will carefully evaluate the home’s electrical system, including the service entrance and panel. Outlets will also be tested.

HVAC

The full HVAC system will be evaluated, including the furnace, air conditioning unit, and ductwork as access allows.

Built-In Appliances

The functionality of built-in appliances such as ovens, fridges, and dishwashers will be documented in your report

Structure

All visible areas of your foundation, flooring, framing, and attic are thoroughly examined for safety, integrity, and quality of workmanship.

Walls & Ceilings

Your NPI inspector identifies the condition of the home’s walls and ceilings, looking for signs of water intrusion, cracks, or other potential issues.

Windows & Doors

Doors are checked for sticking, which could indicate a foundation issue. Windows are assessed to ensure they’re property sealed to outside elements.

Crawl Space

If applicable, crawl spaces are checked for signs of mold growth, wood rot, wildlife, and damaged structural components.

Exterior

The exterior inspection includes evaluation of the roof, gutters, windows, and siding.

Lots & Grounds

We assess the lot and grounds, including the driveway, sidewalks, and grading. Issues that could lead to water intrusion are identified.

Decks & Patios

If your home includes a deck or patio, your inspector will check its integrity and for cracks or signs of wood damage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buyer's Inspections

National Property Inspections Greater St. Louis is here to help you get the clarity and confidence you need to make an informed home purchase. Below, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions that homebuyers have about inspections, so you can feel informed and prepared as you move forward in your homebuying journey.

How long does a home inspection take?

The average home inspection takes between 2 and 3 hours. Factors that can affect the inspector’s time on site include the size and age of the property, and any additional services requested.

Do I need to attend the inspection?

We encourage you and your agent to be present for the last 30 minutes of the inspection so that we can conduct a final walkthrough. During this time, we’ll show you any important findings and you’ll have a chance to ask as many questions as you’d like.

What do home inspectors look for during a home inspection?

Your inspector will assess all of the home’s major structures and systems to determine their current condition, as well as needed maintenance or repairs. We also pay close attention to issues that can compromise the health and safety of a home like water intrusion, gas leaks, smoke detector functionality, handrail placement, and trip hazards.

Will the house receive a pass/fail rating?

Houses never “pass” or “fail” an inspection. Anything can be fixed! We are here to act as an unbiased third party so that you can understand the condition of the home and make the best decision for your family.

Will my inspector need to knock into walls or take any other invasive measures to gather information during the inspection?

No, your inspector will not damage, modify, or move anything in the home to complete the inspection. We have the tools and technology to spot hidden issues and enter hard-to-reach places without the need for invasive measures.

Who “owns” the inspection report?

The inspection report we provide is the property of the party that pays for the inspection service. In most real estate transactions, the homebuyer pays for the inspection of the home they’ve made the offer on.

Is a home inspection required for a mortgage?

It depends. Based on the type of loan you’re applying for, a home inspection may be required or optional—but either way, it’s always a good idea.

How do I prepare for my home inspection?

Here is a list of tasks that the current occupant or listing agent should plan to complete prior to the inspector’s scheduled appointment.

Our Client Testimonials

Here’s what our inspection clients have to say about their experience with NPI.

Mr. Gould was fantastic. He was thorough in both his inspection and his explanations. He took his time to review the home, and to explain every bit of his findings with me. His inspection report came back complete, thorough, and with photos to add to his notes. We will 100% use him again for any future needs.

Both Robert and Heather were awesome while helping us with our inspection and getting it set up. Robert was very informative and such a genuine person. I highly recommend them to anyone. You will not be disappointed by the 5-star experience you will receive. Thank you so much, Robert and Heather! I will be referring you to everyone I know.

I have had a positive experience with NPI performing my home inspection. They arrived on time, were professional and friendly. The report was published in a timely manner and when I misplaced the termite inspection report, they sent me a second copy quickly. No fuss. No hassle. Plus, the price was reasonable.

As first-time buyers, my husband and I called around to a few different inspectors. We are glad we went with National Property Inspections! Heather was very polite, even when we ended up having to reschedule. Robert was super knowledgeable and helpful in his explanations. We would highly recommend them to anyone!

Robert did a great job of inspecting my house and providing professional feedback. Being a first-time homebuyer he, I appreciated that he explained everything, both the good and the not so good. I came away feeling I knew my property much better than I did. Thank you, NPI!

I couldn't be more impressed with the service we received from NPI. Heather was extremely attentive and immediately responded to my messages. The inspector who came out to perform the inspection was AMAZING! They took the time to answer all of our questions. I highly recommend NPI to anyone needing a home inspection.

Everything was so easy while working with NPI - the scheduling, making the payment online, and receiving my inspection report. The inspector was incredibly helpful in answering my questions and even provided feedback to the sellers on how to make the needed repairs. I would 100% recommend NPI to any future homebuyers!

NPI Greater St. Louis is Your One-Stop Shop for All of Your Inspection Needs

Bundle your home inspection with ancillary services to get an even more complete picture of the condition and safety of your property. In addition to our residential and commercial property inspections, NPI offers a suite of services that can be tailored to your specific needs. Here are just a few services that our other homebuyers commonly include with their standard home inspection.

As the second leading cause of lung cancer, radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can enter your home through your foundation.

Sewer lines are among the most expensive home repairs. We’ll make sure your sewer line is undamaged and free of blockages.

Your inspector can collect samples from your home and send them to a lab for professional analysis to determine the presence of mold.