Home Inspections in Paradise Valley, AZ

Paradise Valley was settled after World War II on lots of one to five acres, between Camelback Mountain on the south and Mummy Mountain in the middle of town. Residents incorporated it in 1961 so it would not be absorbed into Phoenix or Scottsdale, and it still feels like its own place.

That history shapes the inspection. Many homes here are large custom builds that have grown over the decades, with additions, remodels in stages, and more than one air conditioning system. A Paradise Valley inspection takes longer than a typical tract home, and the report runs longer too.

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What we look at in Paradise Valley homes

Roofs of every kind, including flat roofs on older homes and the flashing where an addition meets the original house
Each air conditioning system, and the ductwork in each attic space we can reach
Grading and drainage, which matters on hillside lots where monsoon runoff has to go somewhere
Plumbing and water heaters, including older supply lines in homes remodeled a section at a time
The main electrical panel and any subpanels
Windows, doors and the large openings common in custom homes, and the sealant around them

The Town of Paradise Valley reviews new hillside homes and additions through its own Hillside Building Committee, which looks closely at grading and drainage. A home inspection is a different job. We look at how the house and the lot are handling water today: where the downspouts empty, which way the ground slopes, and whether water has been getting in where it should not.

Arizona's monsoon season runs from mid-June through September, and a single storm can put a lot of water on a slope in a short time. On a hillside lot we pay close attention to the uphill side of the house, the low spots near doors and patios, and any staining or settling that says water has already found a path.

Buying, selling or building in Paradise Valley

Buying: a buyer's home inspection during your inspection period tells you what you are taking on before your deadline.
Selling: a pre-listing inspection shows you what a buyer's inspector will find before you list.
Building: new construction inspections check the work in stages, and an 11-month warranty inspection catches first-year problems before the builder's one-year warranty ends.

Before the inspector arrives

A little preparation goes a long way on a large property:

Leave the water, power and gas on, so we can run every system.
Make sure we can get to every electrical panel, water heater, air conditioning unit and attic hatch, including the ones in closets and garages.
Leave gates unlocked and garage remotes where we can find them.
If you know the age of the roof or the air conditioning systems, or you have records of past repairs, set them out for us.

Nearby areas we cover

We inspect homes all around Paradise Valley, including neighboring Scottsdale and Phoenix, and farther out in Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Carefree.

Why Paradise Valley homeowners call Desert State

We have been inspecting homes around the Valley since 1999, more than 25,000 of them. The people doing the work are state-certified and AHIT-certified inspectors, and the report, photos included, lands in your inbox within 24 hours. A sample report shows you exactly what that looks like. Reviewers call us thorough more often than anything else, and on a big custom home that is the whole point.

Paradise Valley home inspection FAQ

How long does an inspection take on a large custom home?

Longer than the two to four hours a typical home takes. The time depends on the size of the house, the number of systems, and how much of the roof, attic and lot we can safely reach. We will give you an estimate when you call.

How much does it cost?

Square footage drives most of the price, so a large estate costs more than a smaller home. The ranges are laid out in our home inspection price guide. Those are typical ranges, not a quote: prices change from year to year and with the season, and yours depends on the home and the services you choose. For an exact number, call (480) 585-6456 for a free quote.

Should I be at the inspection?

Plan to arrive near the end. That way the inspector can show you the findings on the house itself and answer questions while you are both standing there.