What does a home inspection include?
A general inspection is a visual, top-to-bottom review: roof, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, water heater, appliances, windows, doors, and signs of water, mold, or pests — delivered as a photo report. Specialty add-ons (termite, roof, pool, septic) extend it where needed.
A standard home inspection is a trained, systematic, visual review of the home's condition — a few hours on site, then a detailed photo report, usually within a day or two.
The standard scope
Roof and attic. Structure and foundation indicators. The electrical panel and wiring. Plumbing and the water heater. HVAC. Built-in appliances. Windows, doors, and drainage. And the moisture story — signs of intrusion, mold conditions, pest evidence. "Visual" is the key word: inspectors don't open walls; they read the symptoms walls show.
The add-ons worth knowing
Depending on the home: termite/WDO, pool, septic, a sewer-line camera on older homes, a dedicated roof evaluation. Two Florida-specific documents often ride along and serve your insurer rather than your diligence: the 4-point inspection required on many older homes, and the wind mitigation report that can earn premium credits. Ordering them with the main inspection usually saves a trip fee.
Reading the report like a pro
Every report finds things — the skill is triage. Safety items and big-ticket systems first; the moisture history always; then the maintenance notes, which are a to-do list, not a crisis. I read every report with my buyers and sort it into three piles — fine, negotiate, investigate further — and here's what happens next with the middle pile.
Book the inspector early in your window; the good ones are busy, and early information is negotiating power.
This answer is general education, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Your situation is unique — let's talk through the specifics together.