Full Disclosure Property Inspection in Chattanooga: Pre-Purchase Inspections with Written Detail
Full Disclosure Property Inspection is a single-inspector firm that performs pre-purchase and pre-sale home inspections across the Chattanooga area, focusing on detailed written reports that document defects and maintenance needs rather than issuing pass-fail verdicts.
What Full Disclosure Property Inspection actually is
Home inspections in Chattanooga are typically ordered by buyers during the contingency period after an offer is accepted, though sellers sometimes commission them to address issues before listing. Full Disclosure operates as an independent inspector rather than as part of a brokerage or team, meaning the inspector has no financial stake in whether a transaction closes. The service produces a written report within 24 hours of the inspection, delivered as a PDF that documents observed conditions, identifies defects, and notes systems that could require future maintenance or replacement.
Services and pricing
Full Disclosure charges a flat fee of $450 for a standard residential inspection on homes up to 2,500 square feet in the Chattanooga metro area. Larger homes, vacant properties, or multi-unit buildings incur higher fees; verify the exact price for your property type before booking. The inspection itself lasts two to three hours and covers the roof, foundation, structure, electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, and appliances. The report includes photographs and written descriptions of each major system and identifies any items that require immediate attention or are expected to need replacement within five to ten years.
Full Disclosure does not offer radon testing, mold sampling, or septic system evaluation as add-ons; those services require separate contractors. If your property is in an area with well water or a septic system, you will need to hire specialists for those components.
How Full Disclosure compares to other Chattanooga inspectors
Chattanooga has inspectors ranging from $350 to $550 per standard inspection, with pricing tied partly to inspector credentials and partly to report turnaround time. Inspectors affiliated with larger real estate teams sometimes offer faster scheduling during peak buying seasons but may prioritize their own agents' transactions. Full Disclosure's $450 rate is middle-market for the area; the trade-off is that scheduling depends on the single inspector's calendar, so you may wait five to seven days during March through May (peak closing season). Inspectors who charge significantly less (under $400) are often newer to the field or operate part-time; those charging above $500 typically bundle additional services like radon testing or energy audits, which Full Disclosure does not include.
For buyers who want speed and local agent relationships embedded in the inspection firm, a team-based inspector may be preferable. For buyers who prioritize independence and detailed written documentation, Full Disclosure's single-inspector model and focus on comprehensive written reports aligns better.
Who it suits and who it does not
Full Disclosure suits buyers purchasing single-family homes in Chattanooga's standard residential neighborhoods (East Brainerd, North Shore, St. Elmo, Hixson) who need a report for financing or contingency purposes and expect to reference the written details over time. The detailed photographs in the report help buyers understand deferred maintenance and prioritize repairs after closing.
It does not suit buyers on an extremely tight closing timeline (under 48 hours) or those purchasing commercial multifamily properties, which require specialized structural and commercial HVAC analysis beyond the scope of a residential inspection. It also does not suit buyers seeking a single contractor to handle inspection, radon testing, and mold assessment simultaneously.
What the first inspection involves
You schedule by phone or email, providing the property address and target inspection date. Full Disclosure requests that you bring the keys and that utilities be on; if the home is vacant, you will need to arrange access beforehand. The inspector arrives at the scheduled time, walks the entire interior and exterior, tests all electrical outlets and switches, runs water at all sinks, flushes toilets, operates the HVAC system, and visually inspects the roof (from the ground or safely from a ladder if accessible). You may walk alongside the inspector and ask questions in real time. Within 24 hours, a PDF report lands in your email inbox with photographs, system-by-system summaries, and a prioritized list of defects or items needing maintenance.
Hours, contact, and scheduling
Full Disclosure operates Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and accepts inspections scheduled between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow time for reporting on the same day. Scheduling is phone-based; response time during March through May is typically three to seven days. Off-season (June through February), appointments often book within two to three days. Verify current availability and confirm the final fee for your property address before committing.
Full Disclosure's reliance on detailed written documentation and middle-market pricing positions it as a practical choice for Chattanooga buyers who plan to use the inspection report as a reference tool and negotiating document rather than as a perfunctory formality.
