What Does a Home Inspection Cover in Colorado?

Buying a home is one of the largest investments most people will ever make. A professional home inspection can help you better understand the condition of the property before you complete your purchase.

But what exactly does a home inspection cover?

A standard home inspection in Colorado is a visual evaluation of the home's readily accessible systems and components. A home inspector is a

generalist—not an engineer, electrician, plumber, or HVAC contractor. When we identify a condition that may require additional investigation, we may recommend evaluation by an appropriate qualified professional.

At Done Right Inspections, we evaluate hundreds of components and conditions throughout the home to help our clients better understand the property they're purchasing.

Here's what you can expect us to look at.

The Roof

The roof can be one of the most expensive components of a home to repair or replace, making it an important part of the inspection. We evaluate accessible roofing materials, flashing, penetrations, gutters, downspouts, drainage components, and visible signs of damage, deterioration, previous repairs, or improper installation. When accessible, we also inspect the underside of the roof from the attic for evidence of moisture intrusion, damaged sheathing, ventilation concerns, and other visible conditions.

Foundation and Structure

Foundation movement is an important consideration for Colorado homes, particularly in areas with expansive soils and changing moisture conditions. We inspect visible foundation components for cracking, displacement, deterioration, and other signs that may indicate movement. Accessible structural components—including framing, floor systems, and other visible supporting components—are evaluated for signs of damage, alteration, deterioration, or movement. Accessible basements and crawl spaces are also inspected for conditions such as moisture intrusion, drainage concerns, insulation, ventilation, and visible structural issues.

Electrical System

Electrical defects are common findings during home inspections, particularly in older homes or properties that have undergone renovations. We inspect the electrical service, main panel and accessible subpanels, breakers, visible wiring, receptacles, switches, fixtures, grounding and bonding components, and other accessible electrical components. We also check for conditions such as improper connections, damaged components, missing GFCI protection where applicable, double-tapped breakers when not permitted by the equipment, and other visible safety concerns. Older homes may also contain wiring systems or materials that warrant additional evaluation.

Plumbing System

The plumbing inspection includes visible and accessible supply piping, drain and waste piping, fixtures, faucets, toilets, water heaters, and other plumbing components. We operate accessible fixtures, look for visible leakage, evaluate drainage, and inspect plumbing connections for signs of deterioration or improper installation. The water heater is evaluated for its general condition, approximate age when determinable, visible installation concerns, venting where applicable, and accessible safety components such as the temperature and pressure relief valve. Older Colorado homes may contain aging plumbing materials, including galvanized steel piping, which we identify when visible.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Colorado's temperature swings place significant demands on heating and cooling equipment. We inspect accessible furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pumps, thermostats, distribution systems, and related components as applicable to the home.

Systems are operated using normal controls when conditions permit, and we look for visible signs of damage, deterioration, improper installation, or other concerns. We also document the approximate age of major equipment when it can reasonably be determined. Knowing the age and condition of HVAC equipment can help buyers prepare for future maintenance or replacement.

Interior

The interior inspection includes accessible walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, windows, doors, and other installed components. We're looking for conditions such as cracking, staining, moisture damage, damaged finishes, improper operation, and other visible concerns. Accessible doors and a representative number of windows are operated to evaluate their general condition and functionality.

Attic, Insulation and Ventilation

The attic can reveal conditions that aren't obvious from inside the living space.

When accessible, we inspect insulation, ventilation, visible roof framing and sheathing, exhaust ducts, and other components. We look for signs of moisture intrusion, condensation, inadequate ventilation, damaged insulation, and bathroom or kitchen exhaust systems that may terminate improperly. These conditions can affect energy efficiency, moisture management, and the overall performance of the home.

Exterior and Drainage

The exterior inspection includes accessible siding and cladding, trim, exterior doors and windows, decks, porches, patios, walkways, driveways, and other exterior components.

One particularly important area is grading and drainage around the foundation.

Colorado's snow, rain, irrigation, and expansive soils make proper water management around a home especially important. We look at the way the property directs water and identify visible conditions that may allow water to collect near the foundation.

Garage

An attached garage contains several components that can affect both function and safety. We inspect accessible garage doors, automatic openers, safety-reverse features, visible electrical components, floors, walls and ceilings, and the separation between an attached garage and the living areas of the home. We also evaluate accessible doors between the garage and home and look for visible conditions that may affect the intended separation between these spaces.

What Isn't Included in a Standard Home Inspection?

A standard home inspection has limitations, It's is a visual, non-invasive inspection, which means we cannot see through walls, underneath finished flooring, or inside concealed areas. Furniture, stored belongings, finished surfaces, locked areas, unsafe conditions, and other obstructions can also limit what can be inspected. Environmental testing and specialized inspections are generally separate from the standard home inspection.

At Done Right Inspections, additional services are available to provide even more information about the property, including:

• Radon Testing – Radon is particularly important to consider in Colorado, and testing is the only way to determine the radon concentration in a particular home.

• Sewer Scope Inspection – A camera inspection of the home's sewer lateral can identify certain conditions that aren't visible during a standard home inspection.

Depending on the property and your concerns, additional specialized evaluations may also be appropriate.

What Do You Receive After Your Home Inspection?

After your inspection with Done Right Inspections, you'll receive a detailed digital inspection report through Spectora. Your report includes photographs of significant findings, descriptions of observed conditions, and a summary designed to help you understand items that may need attention.

Our goal is to explain our findings in clear, straightforward language so you don't need to be a contractor to understand the condition of the home. Depending on the size, age, condition, and features of the property, an inspection may take several hours. We encourage our clients to attend at least the final portion of the inspection whenever possible. This gives us an opportunity to walk through significant findings, answer questions, and help you better understand the home you're considering purchasing.

Know What You're Buying Before You Buy It

No home is perfect—whether it's 100 years old or brand-new. The purpose of a home inspection isn't to create a list of everything that's wrong with a house. It's to give you a better understanding of the property's condition so you can make an informed decision.

A relatively small issue discovered today could prevent an expensive surprise tomorrow.

Buying a home in Northern Colorado?

Done Right Inspections provides professional home inspection services throughout Fort Collins, Windsor, Greeley, and surrounding Northern Colorado communities.

Done Right Inspections

Inspecting Homes. Educating Homeowners. Protecting Your Investment.