Home Inspector in Tucson, AZ
Buying in Tucson can mean a historic adobe in Armory Park, a 1930s home in Sam Hughes, a burnt-adobe ranch from the 1950s, a hillside home in the Catalina Foothills, or a new build on the southeast side. Nova Inspections and Improvements LLC is based in Tucson, and Tucson is where we do most of our work: historic homes, midcentury homes, new builds and everything between. Call or text 520-222-6436, or book your Tucson inspection online.
Why Tucson Homes Need a Local Inspector
Tucson's housing spans more than a century. Armory Park, near downtown, grew after the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1880 and still has adobe homes from that era. Sam Hughes, just east of the University of Arizona, was developed from the 1920s through the 1950s, mostly in the Spanish Eclectic style with stuccoed brick and adobe walls. After World War II, burnt adobe and then slump block became common building materials across midtown and beyond. Farther out, the unincorporated Catalina Foothills has hillside homes on larger lots, Rita Ranch on the southeast side was built mostly from the 1990s into the early 2000s, and new communities are still going up. Addresses don't always match jurisdictions: the Catalina Foothills, for example, is governed by Pima County, not the City of Tucson. Each type of home needs us to look for different things.
Older and midcentury homes. Central Tucson homes come with their own known wear points:
Flat roofs: Flat and low-slope roofs are common on older Tucson homes, often with foam coatings or membranes. We look for ponding, blistering, cracked coatings, parapet flashing and signs of past leaks.
Evaporative coolers: Many older homes still use rooftop evaporative (swamp) coolers. We note the cooler's condition and the roof penetration around it, a common leak point.
Adobe, burnt adobe and slump block: Masonry walls are durable but can crack, erode at the base or trap moisture behind coatings. We report visible cracking and moisture conditions, and refer you to a specialist when something calls for further evaluation.
Older plumbing: Older homes may have galvanized supply pipe or cast iron and clay sewer lines. We note visible materials and leaks, and a sewer scope shows the condition of the line to the street.
Older electrical: We look at the panel, visible wiring and outlets, including ungrounded two-prong outlets, and refer you to a licensed electrician when needed.
Monsoon drainage: Summer storms test grading, gutters, scuppers and washes. We look at whether water drains away from the foundation.
Some homes on larger lots at the edges of the Tucson area use wells or septic systems. We don't inspect wells or septic systems, so if the home has either, hire a licensed well or septic specialist alongside your home inspection.
Newer builds. Builders are active on Tucson's east and southeast sides. KB Home is building at Mirador Point near Houghton and Valencia, and Meritage Homes at Houghton Reserve near Broadway and Houghton. A city inspection or builder walk-through doesn't replace an independent inspection that works for you, and fast production schedules make an independent set of eyes worth having before drywall and before closing.
Inspection Services Offered in Tucson
Real estate buyer inspections: full home inspections for resale purchases
New construction inspections: phase inspections from slab to warranty
Draw loan and property condition inspections for lenders and investors
Thermal imaging to help find temperature differences that may point to moisture or insulation gaps
Sewer scope inspections for homes connected to a sewer line
Air quality and mold sampling, with samples sent to a lab for analysis
New Construction Phase Inspections in Tucson
If you're buying at Mirador Point, Houghton Reserve or another Tucson community with active building, you can schedule inspections at each stage of construction:
Pre-slab: We review the forms, the under-slab plumbing that's visible, and site preparation before the concrete is poured.
Pre-drywall: We look at framing, visible rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC while the walls are still open.
Pre-closing final walk: A full inspection of the finished home, with a written list for your builder before you close.
11-month warranty inspection: We come back before your builder's one-year warranty period ends, so you can report items while the warranty still applies.
Book one phase or all four. Each report documents what we saw, with photos you can share with your builder.
Why Tucson Buyers Choose Nova
Licensed in Arizona: Adnan Buljubasic, AZ license #82291, and Wesley Buljubasic, AZ license #84939
InterNACHI member: Adnan Buljubasic, NACHI20052726
Commercial certified: Adnan Buljubasic, Certified CCPIA-003298 Commercial
Fast, clear reports: Spectora reports with photos, delivered within 24 hours, so you have them during your inspection period
Easy to reach: Call or text 520-222-6436, or email amw@aaanova.com
Read what local clients say in our Google reviews.
Nearby Areas We Serve
We serve all of Tucson, including Sam Hughes, Armory Park, the Catalina Foothills, the Northwest and Southeast sides, and Rita Ranch. We also inspect homes in Vail, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Marana, Oro Valley, Rio Rico and Casa Grande.
Tucson Home Inspection FAQ
How much does a home inspection in Tucson cost?
Pricing depends on the home's size and age and on any added services, like a sewer scope, pool and spa, or termite inspection. To get an exact number, request a quote or call or text 520-222-6436 with the address.
Should I get an inspection on a brand-new home in Tucson?
Yes, we recommend it. A municipal inspection and the builder's own walk-through aren't the same as an independent inspection done for you. Phase inspections (pre-slab, pre-drywall and pre-closing) plus an 11-month warranty inspection give you written documentation at each stage.
Do you inspect wells and septic systems?
No. Nova does not inspect wells or septic systems. If the property has a private well or a septic system, we recommend hiring a licensed well or septic specialist in addition to your home inspection.
How soon will I get my report?
We deliver reports through Spectora within 24 hours of the inspection. They include photos and descriptions you can share with your agent or builder.
Do you inspect older adobe, slump block and flat-roof homes?
Yes. These are common in central Tucson. We note visible wall, roof, evaporative cooler, plumbing and electrical conditions and recommend a qualified specialist when something needs a closer look. For older homes, we also suggest adding a sewer scope.
Schedule Your Tucson Home Inspection
Ready to book? Call or text 520-222-6436, email amw@aaanova.com, or schedule online. Learn more at aaanova.com.