Most inspections start with a phone call, usually from a property buyer who wants to buy a property, sometimes from a property seller who wants to find out about any problems with the property before it is advertised for sale, or in the case of a multi-occupancy building, one or more of the stakeholders. Sometimes the call is from a real estate agent who is acting for a client who would rather not deal with locating an inspector, and sometimes it is from a developer who is getting close to accepting handover of a development from the contractor.

Every part of the inspection process is handled assuming the worst; that there will be problems resulting in legal action, and so it is important to adhere to a process that will help protect the inspector if they have to go to court.