Buying a Smart Home? Here’s How to Prepare for the Inspection

Smart homes are popping up everywhere – and in Florida, that often includes app-controlled thermostats, lights, and even pool systems. If you’re buying a home loaded with tech, don’t skip the most important part: the home inspection.

At Square 1 Home Inspections, we focus on what truly matters, whether it’s high-tech or traditional. Here’s how we help buyers make informed decisions and how you can prepare for inspection day.

WHAT WE DO CHECK IN A SMART HOME

• HVAC Systems: Even if the system is controlled by a smart thermostat, our job is to inspect the heating and cooling equipment itself for performance, age, and visible issues.
  
• Electrical System: We inspect the home’s electrical panel, outlets, breakers, and visible wiring to ensure the system is safe and functional, critical for supporting all that smart tech.
  
• Plumbing: Smart leak detectors are helpful, but we go beyond them. We check water heaters, pipes, and fixtures for active leaks, corrosion, or potential problems.
  
• Pool and Spa Systems: Smart pool and spa controls are very common in Florida homes. We inspect the visible pool equipment, heating elements, automation systems, and control panels to ensure they’re functional and properly installed.
  
• Roof, Attic & Structure: No matter how “smart” a home is, the basics still matter. We inspect the home’s structure, attic, and roof to look for leaks, sagging, or other red flags.
  
• Permanently Installed Systems: Garage door openers, ventilation fans, and other built-in systems get checked, whether or not they’re part of a smart system.

HOW BUYERS CAN PREPARE

Here are a few ways to help your inspection go smoothly:

• Ask What’s Staying with the Home: Not every smart device may be included in the sale. Knowing ahead of time which features (like pool controls or thermostats) are staying helps us focus on what matters to you.
  
• Make Sure Utilities Are On: We need water, power, and HVAC systems running to test them properly. If the home is vacant, make sure everything is turned on before the inspection.
  
• Provide Access (if needed): Some smart systems require apps or codes to test fully. If the seller can’t provide access, we’ll still inspect the physical systems, but full testing may be limited.

Smart Home, Smart Decision

At Square 1 Home Inspections, we help you understand the home behind the tech. Whether you’re buying your forever home or a vacation property, our inspections deliver clarity and peace of mind. Need to book yours? Contact us today to schedule your inspection!