Straight answers about cost, timing, scope, and what to expect — for buyers, sellers, and agents in Southeast Michigan.
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PreFlight buyer and pre-listing inspections start at $399 for a typical single-family home up to roughly 2,000 square feet. New construction inspections start at $325 and condo inspections at $375. Larger, older, or more complex properties scale from there. You'll get a firm price before anything is scheduled.
Most inspections take two to four hours depending on the size, age, and condition of the home. Larger or older properties take longer. You're welcome to attend, and I recommend joining for the final walkthrough summary.
Within 24 hours of the inspection. Reports are photo-documented and organized by priority so you and your agent can act on the findings immediately during your inspection contingency period.
You don't have to be, but it helps. Seeing an issue in person and asking questions on the spot is far more useful than reading about it later. If you can only make part of it, come for the last 45 minutes.
Michigan does not license home inspectors — there's no state exam or state board. That makes voluntary credentials and insurance the real measure of a professional. PreFlight carries errors and omissions plus general liability coverage and holds professional certification.
A full visual inspection of the home's major systems: roof and exterior, foundation and visible structure, electrical service and panel, heating and cooling equipment, plumbing supply and drainage, water heater, attic ventilation and insulation, and interior components including windows, doors, and finishes.
A standard inspection is visual and non-invasive. It doesn't include opening walls, moving stored belongings, or evaluating anything not safely accessible. Specialty testing like radon, sewer scope, mold sampling, and septic evaluation are separate services.
Yes. Municipal inspections verify code compliance, not workmanship or long-term performance. A pre-drywall inspection catches framing, electrical, and plumbing issues while they're still visible, and a final walkthrough inspection gives you a punch list while you still have leverage with the builder.
Yes. Condo and townhome inspections focus on the systems inside your unit boundary — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, water heater, appliances, windows, and interior finishes — plus accessible common elements that directly affect your unit.
Michigan sits in an elevated-radon region, and levels vary house to house even on the same street. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and you can't detect it without a test. PreFlight runs a 48-hour continuous-monitor test under EPA protocol with written results. Radon testing starts at $149 and can be added to any inspection.
A sewer scope is a camera inspection of the underground line running from the home to the main. It reveals cracks, root intrusion, bellies, and collapses — repairs that can run into the thousands and that a standard inspection can't see. It's strongly recommended on older homes and wooded lots. Sewer scope starts at $199 and can be booked with an inspection or on its own.
Yes. You can see live availability and book instantly through the scheduler on our homepage, or call or text 586-522-8733 and we'll get you set up. Most requests are answered same day.
PreFlight is based in Shelby Township and serves Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, including Sterling Heights, Rochester Hills, Troy, Clinton Township, Macomb Township, Washington Township, Royal Oak, Chesterfield, and Grosse Pointe. Surrounding counties are available on request.
