A Rockwall home inspection is your one opportunity to see the property through the eyes of someone whose only job is to find what's wrong with it — before you're legally committed to the purchase. Here's what a Sola Fide inspection covers, what the report looks like, and why the CMI credential makes a difference.
Buying a home in Rockwall, Heath, Fate, Royse City, or anywhere across the Greater DFW metroplex is one of the largest financial decisions you'll ever make. A professional home inspection is your one opportunity to see the property through the eyes of someone whose only job is to find what's wrong with it — before you're legally committed to the purchase.
Sola Fide Home Inspections serves buyers across Rockwall County and the Greater DFW metroplex. Curtis Oakley is an InterNACHI Certified Master Inspector (CMI) — the highest designation InterNACHI awards, held by fewer than 1% of home inspectors in the country. Every inspection Curtis performs is built to that standard.
What Does a Home Inspection in Rockwall Include?
A Sola Fide general home inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of every major system and component in the home, conducted in accordance with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) Standards of Practice:
- Foundation and structural components — visible cracking patterns, slope, differential movement, drainage and grading conditions
- Roof covering, flashing, and attic — walked where safe, drone-inspected where not; shingle condition, flashing integrity, attic ventilation, decking, and insulation
- Exterior — walls, cladding, trim, doors, windows, porches, decks, and site drainage
- Electrical system — service entrance, main panel, sub-panels, branch circuits, outlets, GFCI and AFCI protection, and grounding
- Plumbing — supply and waste piping, fixtures, water heater condition and age, water pressure, and drainage function
- HVAC — heating and cooling equipment, ductwork, filter condition, temperature differential, and thermostat operation
- Interior — walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, stairs, and guardrails
- Built-in appliances — dishwasher, range, oven, microwave, garbage disposal, and exhaust fans
- Safety devices — smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Thermal imaging is included at no additional charge on every Sola Fide general home inspection. Infrared imaging identifies moisture intrusion behind walls, missing or displaced insulation, slab plumbing leaks, and electrical hot spots that are invisible to the naked eye — and that most inspectors charge extra to look for.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take in Rockwall?
Most homes in the 1,500–3,000 square foot range take 2.5 to 3.5 hours on-site. Larger homes, older homes, or homes with multiple add-on services (sewer scope, pool, WDI) take longer. Curtis arrives early to begin the exterior evaluation and attic access before the client walkthrough.
You're welcome — and strongly encouraged — to be present for the entire inspection. Most buyers find that walking the home with Curtis and hearing findings explained in context is far more valuable than reading about them later.
The Post-Inspection Walkthrough
At the end of the on-site inspection, Curtis spends time walking you through the major findings verbally. You'll leave knowing exactly which issues are cosmetic, which are routine maintenance, and which are material defects that belong in a repair request or price renegotiation. This conversation is where a thorough, experienced inspector earns their fee — and where a checklist-driven inspection falls short.
The Inspection Report
Your full digital report is delivered the same day as the inspection — typically within a few hours of the on-site visit. The report is:
- Photo-documented — every finding is paired with a clear photo taken at the property
- System-organized — findings are grouped by system so your agent can work with the report directly
- Plain-English written — descriptions focus on what's wrong, why it matters, and what to do about it
- Negotiation-ready — formatted so your agent can convert it directly into a repair addendum
Every finding includes a description, a photo, and a recommendation — safety items, repair items, and maintenance items are clearly distinguished.
Add-On Inspections for Rockwall Home Buyers
Depending on the home's age, location, and characteristics, Curtis may recommend one or more add-on services beyond the general inspection:
- WDI (termite) inspection — required for VA and FHA loans; recommended on virtually every North Texas home
- Sewer scope — camera inspection of the lateral line from the cleanout to the city tap; critical on homes built before 1985 or with mature trees near the line
- Pool and spa inspection — excluded by TREC from general inspections; required if you want to know the actual condition of the pool
- Drone roof inspection — for steep, tile, or fragile roofs that can't be safely walked
- Zip Level foundation measurements — precision elevation readings to quantify slab movement
- Engineering foundation evaluation — a licensed Texas PE's signed report when foundation conditions warrant it
Why Rockwall and DFW Buyers Choose Sola Fide
Curtis inspects every home as if he were the one buying it. That standard shows in the thoroughness of the walkthrough, the clarity of the report, and the fact that he's reachable before, during, and after the inspection to answer questions. For a Rockwall buyer, the choice of inspector is the choice between entering closing day with confidence or with uncertainty.
Schedule your Rockwall home inspection with Sola Fide Home Inspections today.