Find Houston-area home inspectors — residential, new construction and phase inspections — and see which ones we've confirmed with the business.

Hiring a home inspector in Houston

Home inspectors are licensed in Texas by the Texas Real Estate Commission, and the licence number starts with TREC. It is public and you can look up any inspector's licence and status in about a minute. Ask for the number.

Do not let the agent pick alone

The inspector works for whoever is paying, and that should be you. A referral from your agent is a reasonable starting point, but the inspector's incentive should not be repeat business from the person whose commission depends on the sale closing. Getting your own name on a second opinion is cheap relative to what a house costs.

What a standard inspection does not include

This is the part that surprises people. A standard TREC inspection is visual and non-invasive. These are usually separate, priced add-ons:

• Sewer scope — a camera down the main line. In older Houston neighbourhoods with cast iron this is the single highest-value add-on there is.
• Termite / wood destroying insect report
• Septic, pool and spa, well water
• Thermal imaging
• Mould and air quality

For a Houston house, ask specifically about foundation and drainage. Expansive clay moves foundations here, and a slab with movement is the most expensive thing an inspection can find.

New construction is the one people skip

A builder's own walkthrough is not an independent inspection. Phase inspections — during framing, before the drywall closes — catch things nobody can see afterwards, and they cost a fraction of finding them later. If you are buying new, this is the highest-return inspection money on this page.

Practical

Ask how long the inspection takes and whether you can attend. An inspector who wants you walking the house with them at the end is giving you the most valuable part of the service, which is the conversation, not the PDF.