When purchasing a home, many home buyers have saved literally thousands of dollars through information provided by the home inspector. People who have owned a home for several years have benefited through the home inspector's knowledge of maintenance, repairs, and experienced eyes to avert potential problems. In many areas where disasters have occurred, homeowners have relied on inspectors to help them identify any damage resulting from storms, earthquakes, etc.

The goal of the home inspection is to give the client (seller or buyer) a much better understanding of the physical condition of the structure. To provide this the home inspector conducts a visual inspection of the home and its systems.

A typical home takes approximately 2-3 hours to inspect. When the inspector arrives he often presents a pre-inspection agreement to the client when is to be signed, followed by a payment. A good inspector then gives the client an overview of the inspection process and invites the client to accompany him.