Frequently Asked Questions About Home Inspections in Dothan, Alabama, and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Buying or selling a home comes with questions. At Cornerstone Home Inspectors, we’ve answered thousands of them since 2013 while inspecting more than 9,000 homes across Southeast Alabama and the Florida Gulf Coast. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from homeowners and buyers, along with clear answers you can rely on.
How long does a home inspection take in Dothan or Santa Rosa Beach?
Most home inspections in Dothan take 2–3 hours, depending on the home’s size, age, and condition, with same-day reporting included.
Older homes, large square footage, multiple HVAC systems, and crawlspaces can extend the duration. Smaller or newer homes can take less time.
Regardless of the time on site, your digital report is delivered within 24 hours.
What does a home inspector look for in Alabama and Florida?
In Alabama and Florida, inspectors evaluate the roof, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and safety systems to give you a clear picture of the home’s condition.
Our Florida and Alabama home inspectors examine all major components of the home, including the foundation, roof, structure, walls, HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical systems. They also check drainage, grading, insulation, windows, doors, and accessible attics or crawlspaces.
At Cornerstone, we place extra emphasis on safety issues like GFCIs, smoke/CO detectors, grounding, loose handrails, and water heater concerns.
What does a home inspection include?
A home inspection includes a same-day digital report covering 1,800+ items across all major systems with photos and clear repair priorities.
Cornerstone delivers a comprehensive, photo-rich digital report the same day as your inspection. Our report documents more than 1,800 individual items across structure, roof, exterior, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliances, insulation, attic, grading, and drainage.
Our inspection report includes high-resolution photos, plain-language explanations, and a repair priority summary.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual evaluation of a home’s structure and major systems to document condition, safety issues, and repair needs.
A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual assessment of the home’s roof, foundation, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and safety components. Inspectors evaluate how well these systems are performing today and whether repairs or maintenance are needed.
It is not a code inspection or appraisal. Instead, it gives buyers and sellers a clear picture of the home’s current condition.
What happens during a home inspection?
During a home inspection, we examine all major systems, document defects with photos, and give you an objective assessment of the home’s condition.
During the inspection, our licensed inspector performs a detailed walkthrough of the property — including the roof, structure, exterior, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, attic, and crawlspace (when accessible). We take detailed notes, capture high-resolution photos, and document any visible defects or safety concerns.
Our assessment follows the InterNACHI Standards of Practice, which means the inspection is visual and non-invasive. We do not evaluate code compliance, and we cannot see inside walls, under flooring, or underground. Hidden issues such as concealed mold, asbestos, or pests may not be discoverable without specialized testing.
Systems and components that are not readily accessible — such as septic tanks, wells, or specialized equipment — require separate evaluations by qualified professionals.
Do homes pass or fail a home inspection?
Homes do not pass or fail inspections. Inspectors document conditions so you understand defects, safety issues, and needed repairs.
Every home—old or new—has issues ranging from minor maintenance items to significant repairs. The inspection report simply provides clarity so you can decide what matters most.
Your agent can help you determine which items are negotiable and which are safety-related.
Do I need a Home Inspection?
A home inspection protects your investment by identifying hidden issues, safety concerns, and repair needs before you finalize a purchase.
Even newly built or recently updated homes can contain expensive or unsafe issues that may not be visible during a showing. A home inspection gives you objective documentation you can rely on when negotiating and making final decisions.
Most agents strongly recommend inspections because they reduce risk and surprises.
What happens after the inspection?
You receive a same-day digital report with photos, repair priorities, and clear recommendations to guide your next steps.
We review findings with you and answer any questions. The report highlights urgent repairs, safety issues, recommended maintenance, and long-term improvements.
You can share the report with your agent or contractors.
Do new homes need a home inspection?
Yes. New homes need inspections, too. Builders can miss defects, and an inspection protects you before the warranty and closing deadlines.
New construction often has issues such as wiring errors, missing insulation, drainage problems, flashing issues, or plumbing leaks. Third-party inspectors ensure the home was built correctly.
Cornerstone performs phase inspections and 11-month warranty inspections.
What is a Home Inspection Contingency?
A home inspection contingency lets buyers renegotiate or walk away if the inspection reveals issues they’re not comfortable with.
In your purchase contract, the contingency spells out that your offer depends on the results of a professional home inspection. If significant defects or safety concerns are found, you can typically request repairs, request a credit, a price adjustment, or cancel the contract according to the terms of the agreement.
Your real estate agent will help you understand the specific deadlines and requirements in your contract so you know exactly what your options are after the inspection.
What Does a Typical Home Inspection Contingency Include?
Most inspection contingencies state that the buyer must find the home’s condition satisfactory, or they can renegotiate or cancel the deal.
The language varies by state and contract, but a typical contingency allows buyers to hire a licensed inspector within a set time frame. If the inspection uncovers problems the buyer isn’t comfortable with, they can usually request repairs, ask for a price reduction or credit, or withdraw their offer without penalty.
Sellers and buyers then negotiate based on the report. Clear timelines and expectations in the contingency help keep the process fair and predictable for everyone involved.
Who Pays for a Home Inspection?
In most cases, the buyer pays for the home inspection. However, sellers often choose a pre-listing inspection to identify issues before listing their home.
Sellers who want to avoid unexpected hiccups during the sale process pay for a pre-listing home inspection. This allows the seller to price their home more effectively.
How much does a home inspection cost in Dothan, AL and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida?
Home inspections in Dothan typically cost $450–$600, depending on the size and age of the home and any add-on services, such as radon testing or outbuildings. Our home inspection cost guide has the full breakdown, and pricing works the same way in every city we serve across our service areas.
Pricing varies based on square footage, foundation type, home age, and optional services such as pools, outbuildings, mold testing, and radon.
When should I schedule a home inspection?
Schedule your inspection as soon as your offer is accepted, ideally during the inspection contingency period. This ensures you have time to review the report and make informed decisions.
How Long Does a Buyer Have to Request Repairs from a Home Inspection?
Buyers usually have only a few days after receiving the report—within the contract’s inspection period—to request repairs or credits.
Most purchase agreements outline a specific inspection period, often 7–10 days, during which the inspection and submission of any repair requests in writing. Once that deadline passes, buyers may lose the right to negotiate repairs based on the inspection findings.
Because timelines are tight, it’s smart to schedule your inspection as soon as your offer is accepted and review the report with your agent right away so you can respond before the contingency window closes.
Should I attend the home inspection?
Yes. Attending lets you ask questions, see issues firsthand, and better understand the home’s condition.
While attendance is optional, most buyers find it extremely helpful to walk through the home with the inspector. You’ll gain insight that photos can’t always capture.
If you can’t attend, the digital report covers everything you need to see, and you can call us anytime with questions.
Do sellers need a home inspection? (Pre-listing)
A pre-listing inspection helps sellers avoid surprises, price accurately, and minimize repair requests during negotiations.
Pre-listing inspections help sellers understand their home’s condition before listing, fix issues early, and reduce last-minute deal interruptions.
Do you check for mold?
We visually check for moisture and mold indicators. Air sampling and lab-tested mold analysis are available upon request.
During a standard inspection, we look for moisture intrusion, visible mold-like growth, leaks, and ventilation issues.
Do you inspect crawl spaces?
Yes. If accessible and safe, we inspect crawlspaces for moisture, structure, insulation, pests, plumbing, and mechanical issues.
Crawlspaces are critical in the Southeast due to humidity and wood framing. We evaluate moisture, vapor barriers, foundation components, leaks, pests, and ventilation.
What if the house has a septic tank or well?
Standard home inspections do not fully evaluate septic systems or private wells; those require separate specialist inspections.
During a home inspection, we visually note accessible components such as exposed plumbing lines, obvious leaks, or surface signs of drainage issues. However, properly testing a septic system or private well requires specialized equipment and procedures beyond a general home inspection.
If the property has a septic tank or well, we recommend hiring qualified septic and water professionals to perform pump-outs, flow tests, water-quality testing, and any needed diagnostics before you close.
Is the inspection based on local building codes?
No. Our inspections follow the InterNACHI® Standards of Practice and are not code-compliant inspections.
A home inspection is a visual evaluation of the home’s accessible systems and components. We look for defects, safety concerns, and signs of improper installation or deterioration, but we are not acting as code enforcement officials.
Local building codes can vary by jurisdiction and change over time. If you need a formal code-compliance determination, consult the local building department or a code specialist. Our goal is to give you a clear, practical understanding of the home’s current condition.
Will you estimate repair costs?
We document issues and may prioritize defects, but we do not provide detailed repair cost estimates in our reports.
Repair pricing can vary widely depending on contractor availability, material costs, and the scope of work in your specific area. Instead of quoting numbers that may not be accurate, we focus on clearly describing the problem, its location, and the potential implications if it’s not addressed.
Your real estate agent and qualified contractors are the best resources for obtaining current repair bids or estimates based on the findings in your inspection report.
