A home inspection is a visual examination of a home’s structure and systems — typically the roof, foundation, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing — performed to the standards of practice of the inspector’s licensing authority, such as TREC in Texas. It is not an appraisal, not a code-compliance inspection, and not a guarantee that nothing will fail later.

What the inspector examines

Working to the licensing authority’s standards of practice, the inspector visually examines the structural systems (foundation, framing, roof structure and covering, attic), the mechanical systems (heating and cooling, water heating, plumbing fixtures and drains), and the electrical system (service panels, outlets, fixtures). Built-in appliances, doors, windows, walls, ceilings, and floors are checked as part of the same pass, and accessible components are operated with normal controls. Deficiencies are reported as observed — the deliverable is a written report describing the home’s condition on the day of the inspection.

What it does not include

An inspection is not a pass/fail verdict, and the inspector does not open walls, move furniture, or dismantle systems to look inside them. It is not an appraisal — it says nothing about the home’s market value. It is not a code-compliance inspection — the inspector does not enforce building codes, and an older home is not expected to meet current code. Systems outside the standard scope — pools, septic systems, sprinkler systems, outbuildings — are commonly a separate service, so confirm what is included before the appointment, and remember the report is a snapshot: it cannot guarantee that a system working today will not fail next season.

Who licenses home inspectors in Texas

In Texas, home inspectors are licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and must follow the TREC Standards of Practice, which set the minimum scope described above. Before hiring, you can look the inspector’s license up in the same TREC public record and confirm it is active — the license number should also appear on the inspection report itself.