Can I bring a home inspector to a showing in Rochester?

Ask for permission and define the scope

You can ask to arrange a showing with an inspector before making an offer, but access and the scope of the visit must be agreed with the seller. Tell your agent what you want to do and ask the inspector what time, equipment and access they need. Do not disguise an inspection as an ordinary social visit.

A walkthrough is not a full inspection

A short visit may help you identify questions, but it can leave important systems, inaccessible spaces or testing outside the scope. Ask what will be examined, whether you receive a written report and what remains unknown. Check the inspector's New York licensing status and relevant experience. A friend who knows construction can be helpful, but that is a different service from a professional inspection.

Information and contract protection are separate

An inspector's visit does not itself give you a right to cancel a later contract. An inspection contingency is a contract term; the visit is a way to gather information. Have your attorney explain the exact agreement, deadlines and effect of any waiver. Avoid assuming that an informal visit eliminates the financial risk of a concealed or missed defect.

Two more questions to ask

Can an inspector guarantee the house has no problems? No; ask about limitations and excluded areas. Can I insist on a pre-offer visit? You can request one, but the seller may decline. Before deciding what to offer, write down the unanswered condition questions and the repair reserve you would need. Ellison Realty can help coordinate access and the next conversation.

Further reading

• New York: Home inspector licensing
• CFPB: Plan for purchase contingencies
• Community question that inspired this article (Reddit; individual experiences, not market data)