Know what to expect — start to finish.

Before the Inspection:

Sign Your Agreement & Pay

Please review, sign, and pay for your Inspection Agreement at least 48 hours before your appointment. This is required under New Mexico state regulations and locks in your inspection slot. If paying by cash or check, let us know at least 48 hours in advance. We accept Venmo (@inspectclovis), CashApp, Zelle, cash, check, and credit card (3.9% fee applies to credit cards only).

If the Home is Vacant:

Confirm with your Realtor that all utilities — water, gas, and electricity — are active before the inspection day. Make sure all shut-off valves and breakers are in the on position. Our insurance does not permit us to activate or deactivate utilities or valves ourselves. Areas without active utilities cannot be inspected and will be noted as such in the report.

If the Home is Occupied:

Work with your Realtor or the current homeowners to ensure the following are accessible and clear of personal belongings:

Electrical panel(s)
Water heater
Furnace or air handler
Attic access point(s)
Crawlspace access point(s)
All appliances included in the sale

We will not move personal belongings. Any areas that cannot be accessed will be excluded from the report.

Consider Add-On Services

If you're interested in any of the following services, request them before the inspection date through your Client Portal or by replying to your confirmation email. Some require advance scheduling.

🚽 Sewer Scope — Recommended for homes over 20 years old. Camera inspection of the sewer lateral with video provided.
☢️ Radon Testing — Short-term (2–3 day) test. Eastern New Mexico has elevated radon potential in some areas.
⚠️ Mold Testing — Air and/or tape samples analyzed by an approved lab.
🧪 Lead-Based Paint — Recommended for homes built before 1978, especially for households with children.
🔦 Crawlbot Inspection — Drone camera for crawlspaces that are unsafe to enter manually.
🐜 Termite Inspection — Required by many lenders. NPMA-33 form provided.
🌡️ Sprinkler Inspection — Seasonal; not available in winter months. All valves must be on.
🏗️ Outbuilding / Detached Garage — One detached structure under 2,000 sq ft.

During the Inspection:

Do I Need to Attend?

You're welcome to attend, and many buyers find it valuable — but you are not required to be there. The most thorough inspections happen when the inspector can work through the property without interruption.

If you'd like to be present, we recommend arriving about 30–45 minutes after the start time. This gives us time to complete the systematic walkthrough first, so we can then walk you through findings in person and answer your questions directly.

Please note the inspection is not well-suited for friends or family to use as a general property viewing. If you'd like to arrange a separate walkthrough, your Realtor can help coordinate that.

If the home is occupied: Your Realtor must be present if you plan to attend. We are not able to leave attendees unattended while conducting the inspection.

What is the Inspector Actually Doing?

We conduct a visual inspection of all accessible systems and components of the home, including:

Roof, gutters, and exterior
Foundation and grading
Attic, insulation, and ventilation
Electrical system and panel(s)
Plumbing and water heater
Heating and cooling systems (HVAC)
Ceilings, walls, floors, windows, and doors
Kitchen appliances included in the sale
Garage and outbuildings (if applicable)

We inspect what is visible and accessible. We do not move furniture, lift carpet, or open walls. If an area is blocked or inaccessible, it will be noted in the report.

Understanding Your Report

You can expect your report in your inbox by the evening of the inspection, or at the latest the following morning. Reports are typically 65–90 pages and include over 100 photos and diagrams.

How to Read Your Color Coding

Every finding in your report is assigned a color so you can quickly understand its significance:

🟦 Blue — Informational / MinorCosmetic conditions, typical aging, routine maintenance, or local conditions worth noting for awareness. No immediate action required.

🟧 Orange — Advisory / Moderate ConcernConditions that may lead to further issues, reduced performance, or safety concerns that are not immediately dangerous. These are worth planning for and discussing with your Realtor.

🔴 Red — Safety / Major ExpenseSignificant defects, safety hazards, or items likely to require prompt attention or substantial repair costs. These should be reviewed carefully.

Don't Be Overwhelmed

It is completely normal for a report to list 30 or more findings — even on well-maintained homes and brand-new construction. A long report does not mean the home is a bad one. It means you have a complete, honest picture of what you're buying.

Focus first on the 🔴 red and 🟧 orange items when discussing next steps with your Realtor. The 🟦 blue items are useful context for your future maintenance planning, but rarely require action before closing.

When to Bring In a Specialist

Some findings may recommend evaluation by a licensed specialist — such as an electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, or structural engineer. This is normal and simply means the item warrants a closer look beyond the scope of a general home inspection. Your Realtor can help coordinate those evaluations during your inspection period.

The Repair Requst Builder

Your report is delivered through Spectora, which includes a built-in Repair Request Builder. This tool lets you and your Realtor generate a repair request directly from the report — including photos and descriptions — without retyping anything manually. It saves significant time during negotiations. Your Realtor may already be familiar with it, but here's a quick tutorial if not: Repair Request Builder Tutorial

Want to see what a finished report looks like? View a Sample Report

After the Report — What Happens Next

Once you've reviewed your report, the next step is working with your Realtor to decide how to respond. Here's a general overview of your options:

Request repairs — Ask the seller to fix specific items before closing, typically focusing on red and orange findings.

Request a credit — Instead of repairs, ask for a price reduction or closing cost credit and handle repairs yourself after closing. This gives you control over the quality of work.

Walk away — If findings reveal conditions that change the value or risk of the purchase significantly, you may have the option to withdraw during your inspection period. Your Realtor can advise on your contract terms.

Accept as-is — Not every finding requires a response. Some items may be priced into the home already, or may be minor enough that no action is needed.

There is no obligation to negotiate every item. Working closely with your Realtor to prioritize what matters most for your situation is always the best approach.

We're Here After You Move In Too

Questions don't always come up right away. If something in the report becomes relevant after you've moved in — or if you notice something new and want a second opinion — don't hesitate to reach out. We genuinely enjoy helping clients long after the inspection is done.