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The Truth About HOME INSPECTION REPORTS! What They Leave Out…(Homebuyers SHOULD WATCH This Video!)
The home inspection industry has changed a lot in recent years, and for many new homebuyers, home inspection reports often raise more questions than they answer. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will explain some fundamental truths about the home inspection industry…from a professional carpenter’s point of view!
There was a time not long ago when many of the home inspectors you met had actually worked in the construction field at some point. But in recent years, this has changed!
Now, many newer home inspectors gain all of their knowledge of homes from various training programs and accreditation services, like the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORS.
These programs and services are fairly thorough in their training–but they still do not/cannot teach inspectors much about how houses are actually built!
As a result, modern home inspectors often have less knowledge about homes than their predecessors.
Many homeowners are confused by the line items on their inspection reports. MAJOR ISSUES seem to be paired with MINOR ISSUES–there is no delineation of importance in the report.
In some cases, major issues are missed altogether in a house if an inspector cannot reach a certain area, OR if a former homeowner’s clutter prevents them from seeing something.
For best results, do as much of the inspection walk-through as you can with the inspector. Also, if possible, do online research to find inspectors with SOME construction experience. You may be able to glean slightly more information from these inspectors!
Thanks for watching!
The Honest Carpenter
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37 Comments
@kkrenken895 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
A home inspector helped me not to buy two disastrous houses. I depend on you guys and am willing to pay for your services.
Sellers don’t want to know the truth about their houses. They don’t want buyers to know. They don’t want to lower their prices.
@JackRiley-z7u · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
There has been a collusion between home inspectors, realtors, and banks for nearly a century!!
@Cakesferdayz · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I like the old way, when people were actually doing the work before becoming an inspector. I think it is beneficial to both buyer and seller. These inspectors these days are trash!
@kenevans6382 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Many home inspectors operate far outside their duties and well beyond the industry's accepted standards of practice. You have to approach and evaluate these houses based on their age. All houses will have a certain amount of wear and tear. And like anything used, you have to accept it as it is. Unless there is a specified defect or deficiency, you can't fault the property simply because it's older. Many older houses have issues you won't find in a newer home, simply because construction methods have changed. Some home inspectors operate like an IRS agent. If they don't find anything, they think they're not doing their job. And in more cases than not, there's usually very little to report.
@spencertwoeightyz3383 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
i have above average construction experience just from maintaining and repairing my own houses. i had no idea that inspectors might not have any experience. i have always hired one to get the second opinion of an "expert". now it makes sense why i have been so disappointed by the lack of concerns of some of my inspectors.
@allaboutmycats454 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Their
@talltexan6432 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
So, you are going to inspect an occupied home and move the owners furnishings around? You sir, will set yourself up for a lawsuit for damaging or misplacing the owners items. Believe me, the Seller will find reasons to complain about your moving items.
@kamilkachnic7360 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
How much is this "report" worth when inspector knows nothing about electric stuff, to me the hardest part in construcion.
@Raziaar · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Bro don't need to have swung a hammer to tell me some shit is wonky.
@zenamen999 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Our Inspector told us one thing and our realtor something else. The Sellers then wouldn't replace the roof. I've never been so disgusted in my life. HOWEVER, I was grateful to get out of the contract after that.
@DABG4M1NG · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I worked maintenance and turns for 6 years and am now trying to get into home inspections. I am still going to use the AHIT program to get my license, but i'll take pride in knowing how a house works and what is actually important.
@rainsmith4460 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
One of the issues is that the test is so hard to pass that construction guys who actually know about construction cant pass it and whiz kids can who don’t do the work can.
@PhukGoog · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Too many inspectors are buddies with the builders. They ignore or minimized serious defects.
@KoltofNature · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
accrediTation lol
@JayBreak22 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Im thinking about being an inspector but i didnt do construction 😅
@DerrickBattle-c9u · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Appreciate your helpful insights 😊
@Deuce_Dufresne · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Ours was worthless as they didn’t notice the wood windows that were rotting 🤦🏻♂️
@paingoret6 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I would never choose an inspector who didn't allow me to be present for the inspection. I want to be there in real time while they are finding things and be able to ask questions as we walk through.
And yeah, knowing some construction and such makes sense. I have very little experience with construction from a bit of volunteering with Habitat. I don't think it's too much to ask that the person inspecting my home in those areas has more experience than I do.
@phantominspections · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I'm a home inspector for 5 years and a fire inspector for 20, and I call every client and try to reach every agent to talk about the big money stuff. I know my report lumps everything together, and like you said, we have to. I'm in Texas, so I don't have a choice, but I do try to explain the bigger issues to both the buyer and the agent. I like to think that's what makes me different from the competition. I'd rather spend more time teaching than just moving on to the next house.
@rchrdjms62 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I'm not a carpenter or anything like that but I have eyes and can see the problems. So I would say you're off base.
@hairybizrat2078 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
After multiple houses I find home inspectors a complete waste of money. They only point out the obvious and miss anything hidden (understndable) complete waste of money
@scottysingh5205 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Love your channel
@TheChcam · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
My least favourit part of home inspector videos. Is they are usally there months before the house is done and will point out things to their audence they know is not complete
@saltycracker101____5 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Home inspector training through classes… like trying to be a chef without tasting the food.
@taylormedia1000 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I've already done an inspection. Do you want to buy the house?
@ilovetrump1252 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Is this the guy from the progressive commercials
@hotpuppy1 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
The key is VISIBLE flaws. In finished new houses, it is TOO late.
@gpowell1624 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I thought that the mortgage company now actually assigns the inspectors to avoid realtors or buyer/seller from cherry picking inspectors.
@Slipeasy88 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Appreciate the info man I'm about to buy my first home ty
@Bradley-l6b · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Never Trust the Realtor Inspectors. Also make sure the Inspector knows Foundations.
@Keith2080Keith · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
did anyone notice this guy cant spell their job?
thier job
@plumppickle4u108 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I have a journeyman in electrical, unlimited in hvac and have worked around houses and cars most of my life. I am a licensed home inspector in nc. Some of the worst inspectors I have ever seen have been those in construction trade they blow thru inspections very little attention to detail and have zero customer service capabilities. Just because you can build it and keep a schedule doesn't mean you can inspect. In 2026 you find very few great tradesman you find people who will show up to work and learn or those who dont show up and still think they know it all. Do not base your inspector selection on previous work experience in the trades just because they worked in the trades doesn't make them good at trades.
@Nemshek · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Thank you so much for this video and your insight! Me and my wife are buying our first home and its so overwhelming!
@nodaysoff2005 · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
In Massachusetts, you have to do 25 inspections shadowing, another 100 inspections that are signed off by a master inspector and you have to wait a year. Which makes inspectors much better than most states
@Briareos00-b7j · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
What makes a good inspector is not knowing how to build a house, but how curious he is and how much he cares. I started four years ago not even knowing what a gutter was, and technically speaking, my English wasn’t that good. What I did know was that I cared about people. Every time I didn’t understand something, I researched it, asked questions, and kept digging.
I worked for a company for six months for free just to gain experience—at the time, that was the only way to get hired. Working across Miami, Broward, and the Florida Keys has exposed me to an incredible range of construction styles and conditions: wood-frame homes, concrete block construction, crawlspaces, slab-on-grade foundations, geothermal A/C systems, and more. No two houses are ever the same.
That environment forces you to stay curious and never make assumptions. Caring about people and constantly expanding your knowledge matters more than knowing how to build a house. That mindset is what truly makes a good inspector.
@JohnSwen-p6b · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
The real scam in hot markets is that sometimes to buy the house the seller request that the buyer does not have a home inspection. IMO there should be laws required inspections and they cannot be removed by the seller.
@JohnSwen-p6b · November 9, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Never purchase a home with out an inspection and as the buyer I would personally be present when the inspection is done so you can ask questions and voice concerns.