Home Inspections Across East TexasKnow Your Home Before You Sign
Hi, I'm Jeff. From Tyler and Lindale to Longview, Mineola, Athens, and everywhere between, I personally inspect every home, walk you through what I find in plain English, and get your full photo report back within 12 hours — because your option period clock is ticking, and I've been on your side of this deal too.
Most inspections run $375–$600 — it depends on the home's size, age, and any add-ons. Call or text and I'll give you an exact number in about two minutes.
Not ready yet? Start here — I'll walk you through how this works, no pressure.
Every Inspection Includes
- ✓ Full evaluation of roof, structure & major systems
- ✓ Photo-rich digital report within 12 hours
- ✓ 90-day limited warranty on eligible items
- ✓ Walkthrough & unlimited questions, no rushing
- ✓ Discounts for military, veterans, first responders & teachers
Jeff Stalnaker
Owner & Lead Inspector · TREC License #26322-PI
When you book with Cardinal, you get me — not a franchise, not whoever's available that day. I'm a TREC licensed professional inspector, InterNACHI certified, AHIT trained, and an FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot, and I inspect homes of every age and type across East Texas.
- I walk you through what I find, in plain English
- Photos of everything that matters — no mystery findings
- All the time you need for questions, during and after
- Full report in your inbox within 12 hours
One bonus: I also spent 30+ years in the pool and spa industry before this, so if the house happens to have a pool, I'm not guessing at the equipment.
More About Jeff
Four Promises No One Else Around Here Makes
Anybody can inspect a house. These are the guarantees I put behind mine.
200% Satisfaction Guarantee
Your peace of mind matters. If you're not completely satisfied at the time of the inspection, I refund your inspection fee and pay for another licensed inspector of your choice, up to the original inspection fee.
90-Day Inspection Warranty
Coverage to protect your investment for the first 90 days: electrical systems, mechanical systems, structural elements, appliances, and HVAC systems.
Buyer's Protection Plan
House didn't work out? If you use me again on a second home of the same size, I take $100 off that inspection. Deals fall through — you shouldn't pay full price twice for that.
Cardinal DealGuard
My repair re-inspection program. When the seller finishes the repairs, I come back out, verify every item, photograph the work, and send a same-day report — so nobody's taking anyone's word for it at closing. Three tiers starting at $100. See the tiers →
Buying a House Is Nerve-Wracking. That's Normal.
Almost everybody I meet on inspection day is a little on edge — worried I'll find something awful, or that they'll look uninformed asking questions. So let me get two things out of the way early.
Every house has findings
Every single one. A long report doesn't mean you're buying a lemon — it means I did my job. What matters is which items are safety issues, which are expensive, and which are just normal upkeep. I'll tell you plainly which is which.
There are no dumb questions
You're spending more money than you ever have on something you can't fully see. Ask me anything, twice if you want. I've never once been annoyed by a curious client — that's the whole job.
My job isn't to talk you into a house or out of one. It's to hand you the facts so the decision is actually yours.
What Clients Actually Say
84 reviews on Google at a 5.0 average — from first-time buyers, two real estate agents with 25 and 39 years in the business, and a builder. Verbatim, nothing edited.
As a first-time homebuyer, my family really wanted a home inspection with someone we felt like we could trust and would take the time to explain everything we were concerned about, and Jeff over-delivered on both. He was extremely thorough and meticulous, leaving nothing up for guessing. From the roof, to the electrical outlets, to the utility access, to the crawl space under our house, Jeff went over everything and invested himself in the tiniest details to make sure this house met our standards. He took the time to address my specific concerns and questions about lead paint and offered guidance on projects we could address in the closing process. Thank you so much Cardinal Home Inspections for your seal of approval and for helping us buy our first home!
JEFF at CARDINAL HOME INSPECTIONS has been an excellent inspector for my clients, and for me. Jeff is tremendously helpful with great advice and upkeep tips on keeping properties in tip top shape. I've been in real estate 39 years, and Jeff is an asset, always quick to respond and always does an impeccable job on inspections.
As a builder, I definitely recommend Cardinal inspections. Jeff is very professional and very knowledgeable. I've done walk-throughs with him where he notices a lot more than your average inspector. He's also done a lot of construction work himself, so that elevates his game.
Read One of My Reports Before You Hire Anybody
Hiring an inspector is oddly blind — you pay several hundred dollars for a document you have never seen, from someone you have never met, on a deadline. So here are two of mine, in full. Real inspections, redacted, free, no email required.
Every Inspection Is a Homeowner's Crash Course
I don't just hand you a report — I teach you your house. Whether you're buying, selling, building, or maintaining, here's what we'll dig into together.
New to this? See exactly what happens during an inspection →
Buyer Home Inspection
Know the home before you close. A thorough pre-purchase inspection during your option period gives you clear facts for negotiations and peace of mind.
Learn moreMarket Ready Inspection
Find and fix issues before your home hits the market. Fewer surprises under contract means smoother closings and stronger negotiating position.
Learn moreNew Construction Inspection
New doesn't mean flawless. Phased inspections — pre-drywall and final — catch builder issues while they're still easy to fix.
Learn more11-Month Builder Warranty Inspection
Most builder warranties expire at one year. Document every concern before that window closes — and make the builder fix it, not you.
Learn moreRoof Inspection (Drone-Assisted)
Drone-assisted documentation of roof surfaces — even steep, tall, or hard-to-reach rooflines. Ideal after East Texas hail and wind storms.
Learn moreAnnual Maintenance Inspection
A yearly checkup for your biggest investment. Catch small problems while they're still small — and plan repairs on your timeline.
Learn moreSchedule Your Inspection Now
Pick your service, date, and time — takes about two minutes. Prefer to talk? Call or text (903) 808-3898.
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Not ready to book yet? No problem — plenty of people read first.
Get There Before the Buyer's Inspector Does
The worst time to find out about a problem is the day the buyer's inspector finds it — you're negotiating from behind, on somebody else's timeline, with a nervous buyer across the table. Get there first and all three of those go your way.
A Market Ready inspection is the same full inspection a buyer would order — you may know it as a pre-listing or seller's inspection — except you get it first. Then you fix what turns up on your own schedule, price it into the listing, or disclose it up front.
Proudly Serving East Texas
Based in Tyler, on the road everywhere from Lindale to Longview. Click your town for local details.
Sixty Seconds, No Jargon
Sixty seconds, no jargon. Same thing I'd tell you standing in the driveway.
Questions? We've Got Answers
How much does a home inspection cost?
How long does an inspection take?
When will I get my report?
Should I attend the inspection?
Military, First Responder & Teacher Discounts
Active military, veterans, first responders, and teachers get special pricing. It's a small thank-you for what you do — just mention it when you book.
Bundle & Save
Home + pool + termite? Schedule services together and get discounted package pricing.
The Education Center
Want to understand your house like an inspector does? Take the guided tour — roof to septic tank, with my homeowner tips for each system. Anatomy of a Home Inspection →
How Long Should It Last?
Service life tables for every major system, plus what East Texas clay, hail, and humidity do to those numbers. Life Expectancy Tables →
90-Day Inspection Warranty
90 days of coverage to protect your investment — electrical systems, mechanical systems, structural elements, appliances, and HVAC systems.
Straight Talk on East Texas Homes
What I see in homes around here every week — written the way I'd explain it standing in your driveway.
The System That Hides Best
Outlets work, lights turn on, everything looks normal — that's exactly why the panel and the wiring deserve a careful look. Here's…
Read the article
Hi There — Let's Talk Plumbing!
Water damage doesn't announce itself — it hides under cabinets and behind walls until it gets expensive. Here's how I read a home'…
Read the article
Cold Air Today ≠ Cool Air in August
I've spent a lot of July afternoons in East Texas attics. Here's what I'm really checking on a heating and cooling system — becaus…
Read the article
Ready to Schedule Your Inspection?
Book online in about two minutes — or just call or text me and I'll get you a straight answer on price and a confirmed time. Same-week appointments are usually no problem.
📅 Book Your Inspection 📞 (903) 808-3898