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How to Prepare for a Home Inspection in Las Vegas
Updated: Sep 1
(Buyer & Seller Checklist)
How should you prepare for a home inspection in Las Vegas? Before the inspection, make sure all utilities are on, provide clear access to the electrical panel, HVAC equipment, water heater, attic, garage, sinks and other major systems, and make sure pilot lights are already lit where applicable. Buyers should plan to attend the final walkthrough, while sellers can help by making the home accessible and allowing the inspector to work without unnecessary interruptions.
At Absolute Home Inspections, we inspect homes throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin and surrounding Southern Nevada communities. Proper preparation allows us to spend our inspection time evaluating the home rather than trying to gain access to blocked components or documenting systems that could not be tested.
Below is the home inspection preparation checklist we recommend for Las Vegas buyers, sellers and real estate professionals.
Las Vegas Home Inspection Preparation Checklist
Before the inspector arrives, make sure:
Electricity, water and gas are turned on
Electrical panels are accessible
HVAC equipment is accessible
The water heater is accessible
Attic access is clear
Under-sink areas are accessible
Garage walls and major components can be reached
Pilot lights are already lit where applicable
Pets are safely secured
Personal or sensitive items are put away
Keys or access are available for locked areas that are part of the inspection
Buyers know when to arrive for the final walkthrough
A few minutes of preparation can prevent significant portions of a home from being inaccessible or untestable during the inspection.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take in Las Vegas?
A useful rule of thumb is approximately one hour for every 1,000 square feet, although every property is different.
For example:
1,500 sq ft home → approximately 1.5 hours
2,500 sq ft home → approximately 2.5 hours
4,000+ sq ft home → approximately 4 hours or more
The actual inspection time can vary based on the home's age, condition, layout, accessibility and additional systems such as pools, multiple HVAC units or other property features.
A thorough home inspection should not feel rushed.
Should All Utilities Be On for a Home Inspection?
Yes. Electricity, water and gas should be turned on before the home inspection whenever those utilities serve the property.
Home inspectors use normal operating controls to evaluate many of the home's systems. Without utilities, the inspector may be unable to adequately evaluate components such as:
Plumbing fixtures
Water heaters
HVAC equipment
Electrical receptacles and fixtures
Built-in appliances
Garbage disposals
Dishwashers
Other electrically or mechanically operated components
If a utility is off, affected systems may have to be documented as not tested or only partially evaluated.
At Absolute Home Inspections, a return visit caused by unavailable utilities may result in an additional inspection fee.
What Areas Should Be Cleared Before a Home Inspection?
Home inspectors need reasonable access to the home's visible and accessible systems and components.
Before the inspection, clear stored items, furniture and other obstructions from areas including:
Electrical panels
HVAC equipment
Water heaters
Attic access openings
Under-sink plumbing
Garage walls and doors
Plumbing shutoffs
Appliances included in the inspection
Home inspectors generally do not move heavy furniture, personal belongings or large amounts of stored material simply to gain access to a component.
If something cannot be safely accessed, that area may have to be documented as an inspection limitation.
How Much Space Should Be Clear Around the Electrical Panel?
The electrical panel should be readily accessible and not blocked by boxes, shelving, furniture, landscaping or stored belongings.
Providing approximately 3 feet of clear working space in front of the electrical panel helps the inspector safely access and evaluate the panel.
At Absolute Home Inspections, accessible electrical panels are opened as part of our inspection process when conditions permit so the inspector can evaluate visible components inside the panel.
If the panel is locked, blocked or otherwise inaccessible, an important portion of the electrical inspection may be limited.
Should Pilot Lights Be Lit Before the Home Inspection?
Yes. If a water heater, fireplace or other applicable appliance uses a pilot light, it should already be operating before the inspector arrives.
Home inspectors generally operate systems using normal user controls. They do not light extinguished pilot lights as part of a standard home inspection.
If the pilot is off, the inspector may be unable to fully operate and evaluate that appliance or system.
Sellers and listing agents should verify pilot lights are operating before inspection day rather than waiting until the inspector arrives.
How Should You Prepare the Attic for a Home Inspection?
Attic access is especially important during a Las Vegas home inspection because the attic can provide valuable information about portions of the roof structure, insulation, ventilation and other visible components.
When accessible, our attic inspection may include evaluation of:
Visible roof framing and sheathing
Insulation
Ventilation
Accessible ductwork
Visible plumbing or electrical components
Evidence of previous or active moisture intrusion
Other visible deficiencies
Before the inspection:
Make sure the attic access is not blocked
Move stored belongings away from the opening
If the access is inside a closet, move clothing and personal belongings away from the opening
Make sure the inspector has sufficient space to safely position a ladder when necessary
Entering an attic can occasionally disturb loose insulation near the access opening. Clearing the area beforehand helps protect personal belongings and allows safer access.
Should Sellers Clear the Areas Under Sinks?
Yes. Clearing the cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks allows the inspector to better evaluate visible plumbing connections and surrounding materials.
At Absolute Home Inspections, these areas are also among the locations where limited thermal imaging may be used during our standard home inspection.
Removing cleaning supplies, trash cans and stored belongings gives the inspector a better opportunity to observe visible leakage, moisture-related conditions, damaged materials and accessible plumbing components.
Should Pets Be Home During a Home Inspection?
Pets should be safely secured during the inspection.
Inspectors need to open doors, access exterior areas, enter garages and move throughout the property. A loose pet can create a safety concern or prevent the inspector from accessing certain areas.
Ideally, pets should either be removed from the property temporarily or secured in an area that will not need to be inspected.
If a room cannot be entered because of an unsecured animal, that area may have to be documented as inaccessible.
Will the Home Inspector Take Photos Inside the House?
Yes. Photos and videos are an important part of documenting the condition of a property during a professional home inspection.
Absolute Home Inspections may take hundreds of photographs and videos during an inspection. These images help document observed conditions and make the final inspection report easier for buyers to understand.
Before the inspection, sellers may want to:
Put away sensitive personal documents
Secure valuables
Remove personal items they do not want inadvertently photographed
Our photographs are intended to document the property and inspection findings—not the seller's décor or personal life.
Should the Seller Be Home During the Inspection?
The seller generally does not need to remain at the property during the home inspection.
Allowing the inspector reasonable freedom to move through the home can make the process easier and allows buyers to discuss questions with their inspector during the final walkthrough.
Before leaving, sellers should make sure:
The inspector can access all appropriate areas
Keys or instructions are available for locked areas
Pets are secured
Utilities are operating
Pilot lights are lit where applicable
The goal is simply to make the property accessible so the inspector can perform the most complete inspection possible.
Should Buyers Attend the Home Inspection?
At Absolute Home Inspections, we encourage buyers to attend the final walkthrough at the end of the inspection.
During this walkthrough, your inspector can:
Show you significant findings
Explain safety concerns
Point out important maintenance items
Answer questions in plain language
Help you understand the home's major systems
Explain what will appear in the inspection report
This gives the inspector time to concentrate on evaluating the property first and then spend focused time explaining the findings to you.
The walkthrough is particularly valuable for first-time homebuyers, but even experienced buyers often find it helpful.
What Should Buyers Bring to the Final Inspection Walkthrough?
Buyers generally do not need to bring special equipment.
It can be helpful to have:
Your phone for notes or photos
Questions about the property
Any seller disclosures or concerns you specifically want to discuss
Your real estate agent, if they plan to attend
You do not need to follow the inspector throughout the entire inspection to receive value from the process. The final walkthrough and detailed inspection report are designed to explain the important findings clearly.
How Should a Las Vegas Home Be Prepared for a Drone Roof Inspection?
Absolute Home Inspections uses high-resolution drone technology when appropriate to evaluate roof surfaces that may be difficult, unsafe or potentially damaging to access physically.
Usually, the homeowner does not need to do anything special to prepare for a drone roof inspection.
However, access to exterior areas around the home should be available so the inspector can safely evaluate the property and determine an appropriate inspection method.
Weather, wind and FAA restrictions can occasionally affect whether a drone can be operated at the time of the inspection.
For concrete tile roofs common throughout the Las Vegas Valley, drone technology allows us to obtain detailed views of visible roof surfaces without unnecessarily walking across fragile roofing tiles.
Should a Las Vegas Home With a Pool Be Prepared Differently?
If the property has a pool or spa and a pool inspection has been requested, make sure the inspector can access the pool equipment and controls.
Avoid blocking:
Pool equipment
Pumps
Filters
Heaters
Electrical equipment
Control panels
Gates and barriers
If equipment is turned off, locked or inaccessible, portions of the pool inspection may be limited.
Should Sewer Cleanouts Be Accessible for a Sewer Scope?
If a sewer scope inspection has been scheduled, accessible cleanouts should not be blocked by stored belongings, landscaping or other obstructions.
A sewer scope uses a specialized camera to evaluate accessible portions of the underground sewer line. Access to an appropriate cleanout can make the inspection more efficient and may affect how much of the sewer line can be evaluated.
If you are unsure whether the home has an accessible sewer cleanout, you do not necessarily need to locate it yourself. Our inspector can evaluate available access points when we arrive.
What Happens After an Absolute Home Inspection?
At the conclusion of the inspection, we meet with the buyer for a detailed walkthrough of the property and discuss significant findings.
Afterward, Absolute Home Inspections provides a same-day digital inspection report containing photographs, videos, explanations and recommendations.
Our goal is not simply to provide a list of defects. We want buyers to understand what we observed, why it matters and which findings deserve their attention.
Clients can also contact us after the inspection with questions about their report or the property.
Las Vegas Home Inspection Preparation FAQs
What is the most important thing to do before a home inspection?
Make sure all utilities are operating and that the inspector has clear access to the home's major systems and components. Electrical panels, HVAC equipment, water heaters, attic openings, under-sink plumbing and other important areas should not be blocked.
What happens if the electricity, water or gas is turned off?
The inspector may be unable to adequately test systems that depend on that utility. Those systems may be documented as not tested or only partially evaluated, and a return visit may be necessary.
Should the seller leave during the home inspection?
Sellers generally do not need to remain at the property. Providing access and allowing the inspector to work without unnecessary interruptions can help the inspection proceed efficiently.
Should buyers attend the entire home inspection?
At Absolute Home Inspections, buyers are encouraged to attend the final walkthrough rather than follow the inspector throughout the entire inspection. This allows the inspector to concentrate on evaluating the property and then explain significant findings directly to the buyer.
What should be cleared before a Las Vegas home inspection?
Clear access should be provided to electrical panels, HVAC equipment, water heaters, attic access, under-sink plumbing, garages, appliances and other major systems or components that need to be evaluated.
Should I clean the house before the home inspection?
A perfectly clean home is not necessary. Accessibility matters more than appearance. The inspector needs to safely reach the systems and components included in the inspection.
Should I repair things before a home inspection?
Sellers can address known maintenance or repair items before an inspection if they choose, but repairs should be completed properly. Trying to conceal a known defect is not appropriate and can create additional concerns.
How long does a Las Vegas home inspection take?
A useful estimate is approximately one hour per 1,000 square feet, although inspection time varies depending on the property's size, age, condition, accessibility and additional systems.
Will the inspector take pictures of my belongings?
Inspection photos are intended to document property conditions and findings. Personal belongings may occasionally appear in those photographs, so sellers should put away sensitive documents, valuables and anything they do not want inadvertently photographed.
How soon will I receive the inspection report?
Absolute Home Inspections provides clients with a detailed digital inspection report the same day as the inspection. Reports include photographs, videos and explanations designed to make the findings easier to understand.
Why Proper Preparation Makes a Better Home Inspection
A home inspector can only evaluate systems and components that are visible, accessible and able to be operated at the time of the inspection.
Preparing the property does not change what the inspector finds. It simply gives the inspector better access to evaluate the home.
For buyers, that can mean fewer unknowns.
For sellers, it can mean fewer inspection limitations and fewer questions about components that could not be accessed.
For real estate agents, it can help the inspection process move more smoothly.
Schedule a Home Inspection in Las Vegas
Absolute Home Inspections provides buyer, new-construction and warranty inspections throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin and surrounding Southern Nevada communities.
Every inspection is overseen by a Certified Master Inspector and includes a detailed walkthrough, same-day digital reporting, hundreds of photos and videos, licensed drone roof inspection when appropriate, limited thermal imaging and lifetime inspection support.
Our goal is simple: provide an independent, easy-to-understand evaluation that helps you make an informed decision about the property.
About the Author
Jason Henderson — Certified Master Inspector
Jason Henderson is the owner of Absolute Home Inspections and a Certified Master Inspector serving Las Vegas and the surrounding Las Vegas Valley. Jason and the Absolute Home Inspections team perform buyer, new-construction and warranty inspections throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas and surrounding Southern Nevada communities.
Through thousands of hours spent inspecting Southern Nevada homes, the team has firsthand experience with the conditions that commonly affect properties in the Las Vegas Valley, including extreme desert temperatures, heavily used HVAC systems, concrete tile roofing, plumbing concerns, electrical deficiencies and new-construction installation issues.
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