What Does a Home Inspection Cover in Illinois?

If you're buying a home in the Chicago area, your inspection is the single best opportunity to understand exactly what you're purchasing before you close. But many first-time buyers aren't sure what an inspection actually includes. Here's a clear breakdown of what a professional home inspection covers in Illinois — and what it doesn't.

The Major Systems We Inspect

A standard home inspection is a visual, non-invasive examination of the home's accessible systems and components. During a typical inspection, we evaluate:

• Roof, gutters, flashing, and attic ventilation

• Exterior siding, trim, grading, and drainage around the foundation

• Foundation, basement or crawlspace, and visible structural components

• Electrical service panel, wiring, outlets, and GFCI protection

• Plumbing supply lines, drains, fixtures, and water heater

• Heating and cooling systems (furnace, A/C, ductwork)

• Interior walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors

• Insulation and ventilation in the attic and visible areas

• Garage, garage door, and automatic opener safety features

• Built-in appliances

Everything we find goes into a detailed digital report with photos and clear recommendations, so you know what needs attention now, what to budget for later, and what's just normal wear.

What a Home Inspection Doesn't Cover

An inspection is visual and non-destructive — we don't open walls, move furniture, or dismantle systems. Specialized concerns like radon, mold, water quality, sewer scopes, and termite inspections are separate services. The good news: radon testing, mold inspection, and water quality testing can all be bundled with your home inspection so everything is handled in one visit.

How Long Does It Take?

Most single-family home inspections take two to four hours depending on the size, age, and condition of the property. We encourage buyers to attend, especially the last portion — walking through the findings in person is the best way to understand your new home.

Certified and Licensed in Illinois and Indiana

Illinois requires home inspectors to be state-licensed, and Onyx Inspection Services goes further: we are InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspectors (CPI), which means ongoing training and a strict code of ethics on every job — and we're licensed in both Illinois and Indiana.

Serving Southern Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Onyx Inspection Services performs home, commercial, radon, mold, and new-construction inspections throughout Cook, Will, and DuPage Counties in Illinois and Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties in Indiana. Ready to schedule? Call or text 708-623-6699 or book online at onyxinspections.com — available 7 days a week.