In a competitive market, time matters.

As the Atlanta real estate market begins to heat up again, we are already seeing multiple offer situations return. When that happens, buyers often shorten their due diligence period to make their offer more attractive. A shorter timeline can absolutely strengthen your position, but it also means the inspection process needs to move quickly and efficiently.

One of the most common questions we hear is, how long does a home inspection take? The answer depends on two things: how quickly we can get you on the schedule, and how long the inspection itself takes once we are onsite.

How Quickly Can You Schedule a Home Inspection?

In many parts of Atlanta, due diligence periods can be three to five days. That leaves very little room for delays.

We can be reached seven days a week and are typically able to schedule inspections within a day or two, depending on how quickly you need it completed. In many cases, we can accommodate next day inspections. It is common for agents to call us before submitting an offer to confirm availability. That way, they know a shortened due diligence period is realistic and can structure a competitive offer for their clients with confidence.

When timing is tight, we work hard behind the scenes to make that competitive offer a reality, getting creative when needed to ensure inspections and additional services stay on track. In a hot market, responsiveness is just as important as the inspection itself, because timing can directly impact how and if a deal moves forward.

How Long Does the Inspection Take Once It Starts?

The time onsite depends on the size, age, and condition of the home.

For a smaller home, an inspection may take around two hours. Larger homes with more square footage, additional structures, or more complex layouts can take three hours or more. And as a rule of thumb, older resale homes generally require more time than new construction because there is typically more to evaluate.

During those hours, your inspector is reviewing all major systems and accessible components of the property. This includes roofing, exterior, structure, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, attic spaces, and interior elements. The goal is a thorough evaluation without unnecessary delays.

Toward the end of the inspection, buyers and their agents are welcome to meet with the inspector at the property to review key findings and ask questions before the official report is delivered. The full inspection report is completed and sent same day, allowing you to move quickly within your due diligence period.

We move efficiently, but we do not rush. Especially in Atlanta’s competitive market, you need reliable information delivered promptly and within your due diligence window.

What About Additional Services?

Many homes in Atlanta require more than just a general home inspection. That is where coordination and timing become critical.

Radon Testing
Radon machines are typically placed the same day as the inspection, and the test runs over a 48 hour period to produce accurate results. If your due diligence period is especially short and we cannot get your inspection scheduled right away, we will often go out to the property to place the radon machine ahead of time so the 48 hour testing period can begin as soon as possible. This helps prevent delays at the end of your due diligence window while waiting on radon results.

Mold Testing
Mold samples are collected during the inspection when testing is requested as an added service. Air samples are taken onsite and sent to a certified laboratory for analysis. Results are typically returned within 24 hours.

Pool Inspections, Sewer Scopes, and Termite Inspections
Turnaround times for these services are generally 24 hours from the time of completion. Because these involve our trusted third party specialists, coordination matters. We manage that entire process to keep everything aligned with your timeline, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

The benefit of working with our team is that you are not left coordinating multiple vendors on your own. We assess the full scope of your home’s unique inspection needs and schedule, communicate, and align all moving parts so all reports come in as quickly as possible.

Why Speed and Coordination Matter

In a cooling market, a longer due diligence period may feel standard. In a hot Atlanta market with competitive offers, it can feel like a luxury.

If you are shortening your due diligence to strengthen your offer, you’ll need an inspection team that can respond immediately, get onsite quickly, and manage all additional services without slowing the process down.

This is where we excel. We take pride in delivering a high level of service, finding practical solutions to complex timelines, and making what can feel like an overwhelming part of the home buying process easy and manageable. We are structured for this pace. From next day scheduling to coordinating radon, mold, sewer scope, pool, and termite inspections, our focus is keeping your timeline on track.

When time is limited, the right inspection partner can make all the difference.

If you’re navigating a tight due diligence period or preparing a competitive offer, we’d love to help you map out the right inspection timeline and get everything scheduled quickly.

Get in touch