Add-On and Specialty Inspection Services in Dallas-Fort Worth

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Every Add-On Inspection Service and Its Price

The Smart Inspector lists seven home inspection add-on services DFW buyers can choose from on its booking form, each with a price that is added to your base inspection quote. The base price itself is quoted per home, because it depends on square footage, age, foundation type and the add-ons you choose. The add-on prices, however, are fixed and published, and they are the same whether you are buying in Fort Worth, Frisco or Waxahachie.

Home Inspection Add-On Services DFW Buyers Ask About Most

Not every home needs every add-on. The right list depends on the property, the loan and how much you want to know before your option period ends. Here is how our inspectors think about each one.

Pool and spa inspection (+$100)

Worth it for any home with a pool. Pool equipment, plaster, coping, decking and safety barriers are expensive to put right, and a pool frequently becomes a negotiating point in a DFW sale. The pool and spa inspection covers the visible equipment and the shell, but not pressure testing for underground leaks.

Termite / WDI inspection (+$135 and up)

Required if you are using a VA loan, which is why the booking form asks whether the purchase is a VA loan. Many conventional buyers add it anyway on older homes and heavily wooded lots. Our page on whether you need a termite inspection with your home inspection explains what a wood-destroying insect inspection looks for and how it is arranged through the booking form.

Irrigation / sprinkler inspection (+$50)

An irrigation system is an optional system under the TREC Standards of Practice, so it is not part of the base inspection. On a larger North Texas lot the system matters twice: it drives the water bill, and consistent watering around the slab is how many owners manage clay-soil movement. See whether to add a sprinkler system inspection for what the check covers.

Measure foundation level (+$100)

The structural inspection already looks at the foundation visually. The foundation level add-on adds elevation readings across the slab, which gives you a baseline number to compare against later. On expansive clay soil that baseline is useful for any slab home, and especially one with cracks in the brick or doors that no longer latch. Read whether you need a foundation inspection in North Texas before you decide.

Sewer scope inspection (+$300)

A standard inspection does not include the underground sewer line, because it cannot be seen. A sewer scope inspection sends a camera through the line and records what it finds. It is the add-on to consider first on older Dallas and Fort Worth homes, where cast-iron or clay lines and mature tree roots are common.

Water sample test (+$200)

Recommended for homes on a private well, which are common on acreage in the outer counties. The sample goes to a laboratory, and the results tell you about the water you will be drinking. Our page on when a water sample test is recommended covers how the sample is collected and why lenders sometimes ask for it.

Additional structures (+$125 if under 500 sq ft)

A detached workshop, a guest house or a second garage is not part of the main-house inspection. If you want it documented, add it. For a structure of 500 square feet or more, ask for a quote.

How Add-Ons Are Scheduled in the Same Visit

Add-ons are not separate appointments. You select them on the booking form, the office builds the time into the same visit, and the findings appear in the same web-based report you receive the same day. The walkthrough at the property covers the add-on findings along with everything else.

1. Choose the inspection type. Full home, pre-listing, new construction, pre-drywall, 1-year builder warranty or re-inspection.
2. Check the add-ons you want. Each one shows its price beside the box, so you can see the total effect before you submit.
3. Answer the property questions. Foundation type (slab or pier and beam) and whether the purchase is a VA loan, which tells us a WDI inspection is required.
4. Pick an inspector. Request one of our inspectors by name or take the first available.
5. Confirm the details. Our administrator, Candice, coordinates the schedule and confirms the appointment.
6. Attend the walkthrough. Your inspector reviews every finding, add-ons included, before the report is published.

One practical note. Add-ons need working utilities. A pool inspection needs the pump powered, a sprinkler inspection needs the water on and a sewer scope needs an accessible cleanout. Mention any of these to your agent so the seller can have the home ready.

Which Add-Ons Fit Your Property? A Quick Checklist

Use this list while you are filling out the booking form. If a line describes the house you are buying, the matching add-on is usually worth the price.

• The home has a pool or spa: add the pool inspection.
• You are buying with a VA loan: the termite / WDI inspection is required.
• The lot is wooded, the home is older or you simply want a termite report: add termite / WDI.
• There is an in-ground sprinkler system, or the lot is large: add the irrigation inspection.
• The home sits on a slab, shows brick cracks or has doors that stick: add the foundation level measurement.
• The home was built decades ago, has mature trees or has ever had a slow drain: add the sewer scope.
• The property is on a private well: add the water sample test.
• There is a detached workshop, shed with power or guest quarters: add the additional structure.

Specialty Inspections That Stand on Their Own

Two of our services are not add-ons at all. They are the inspection itself, booked on their own terms.

Single-component inspections

Sometimes you only need one or two things checked: the roof after a hailstorm, the foundation before a remodel, the electrical panel before an insurance renewal or the HVAC before a warranty deadline. A single-component inspection covers just that system, on the same TREC form and with the same photo-rich report, without the time and cost of a full inspection. It is a common choice for current owners rather than buyers, and the foundation level measurement can be paired with a foundation-only inspection.

Duplex and multi-unit inspections

The booking form offers Inspect One Side, Inspect Both Sides and Multiplex, because a duplex or small multifamily building has shared components (one roof, one foundation) and separate ones (panels, water heaters, HVAC units). Investors usually inspect every unit, and add-ons such as the sewer scope and foundation level matter more on rental property where deferred maintenance is common. Our page on home inspections for a duplex or multi-unit property covers access to occupied units and what changes with shared systems.

What Every Inspection Includes Before Any Add-On

The home inspection add-on services DFW buyers choose extend an inspection that is already thorough. Every inspection from The Smart Inspector is performed by an inspector licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission, follows the TREC Standards of Practice and is reported on the TREC form with photos and plain-language comments.

Thermal imaging deserves a mention here because people often ask whether it is an add-on. It is not. Infrared imaging is included at no charge on every inspection, and it helps our inspectors spot moisture, missing insulation and overheated electrical components that a flashlight would miss. The in-person walkthrough and same-day report are included as well.

How to Get a Quote With Add-Ons Included

Because the base price is set per home, the fastest way to see your total with add-ons is the Get a Quote form or a call to (817) 842-0330. Have the address, approximate square footage, year built and foundation type ready, and know whether the home has a pool, a sprinkler system or a private well.

If you already know what you want, book your inspection online and check the add-ons as you go. You can add a service after booking too, though the earlier we know, the easier it is to plan the visit and have the seller prepare the property.

For a wider view of what an inspection covers before add-ons, and how add-on pricing fits into the overall cost, read how much a home inspection costs in DFW.

Frequently asked questions