State-Licensed · InterNACHI Certified · Certified Master Inspector
Knoxville home inspections from a team that knows the city’s housing stock.
From Fountain City bungalows to new construction in West Knoxville, Bent Nail inspects homes across every corner of Knoxville, then walks you through every finding on-site, in plain language, the same day.
Local to Knoxville
Knoxville’s housing stock spans a lot of eras, we’ve inspected all of them.
Knoxville’s neighborhoods range from early-1900s construction near downtown to mid-century ranch homes and fast-growing new subdivisions further out. Each era brings its own common issues, and knowing what to expect in a given neighborhood helps us inspect faster and more thoroughly.
Why Get A Home Inspection
An unbiased read on the house, before it’s yours.
We’re not building-code enforcers, we’re your second set of eyes. A home inspection costs a little time and money up front, and it can save you from inheriting someone else’s deferred maintenance, or from walking into a money pit with no way out. Findings often become negotiating leverage, repairs the current owner fixes before you close, rather than problems you inherit.
Our Services In Knoxville
Beyond the standard inspection.
East Tennessee brings its own risks, termites, radon, aging sewer lines, so we built out services to cover them directly.
Buyer’s Home Inspection
Full top-to-bottom examination of structure, systems, and components.
PestTermite Inspection
East Tennessee is high-risk for termites and other wood-destroying organisms.
Air QualityRadon Testing
NRPP-certified radon testing, common across the Knoxville area.
PlumbingSewer Scope Inspection
Camera inspection of the main line, catching root intrusion and cracks invisible from the surface.
ChimneyChimney Scope Inspection
Camera-based scan of the interior flue liner for cracks, gaps, and creosote buildup.
Air QualityMold Testing
Detection of active spores and hidden moisture intrusion.
What’s Covered
A typical Bent Nail inspection walks the whole house.
Every system, every major component, documented with photos and explained in the report and on-site.
Garage, Driveway & Walkways
Level, secure, and free of tripping hazards. We check the garage door opener’s auto-reverse safety feature, since photo-eye sensors mounted in the ceiling instead of near the floor is one of the most common defects we find in Knoxville homes.
Roof & Exterior
We use high-resolution drone imaging on most roof inspections, capturing detailed views of shingles and flashing without the risk of walking on, and potentially damaging, the roof. Decks get particular attention too: ledger board attachment, joist hangers, and baluster spacing, since the American Wood Council estimates over half of decks nationally need repair or replacement.
Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
Plumbing vent boots and the guttering system, your home’s primary defense against water intrusion. We also check attic ventilation: a poorly ventilated attic can cut a shingle’s life expectancy by up to 50%.
Foundations, Slabs & Floors
Slab or block-and-column, we look for cracking and settlement patterns, most commonly caused by water, the number one enemy of any foundation. Knoxville’s clay-heavy soil in many neighborhoods makes drainage and grading especially important to check.
Basements & Crawlspaces
Handrails and baluster spacing on basement stairs, floor joist sizing and spacing, crawlspace encapsulation or ventilation, and sump pump function where present, common in Knoxville’s older, hillier neighborhoods.
Plumbing Systems
Supply lines and waste drains. In Knoxville’s older homes, particularly near downtown and Fountain City, we regularly find S-traps instead of P-traps, which can let sewer gas back into the house.
Electrical Systems
Service entrance cable, meter base, panel grounding and bonding, wiring type, breaker sizing, and GFCI/AFCI function.
Heating & Cooling
Heat pumps, packaged gas furnaces, and split systems, all common across Knoxville. We document system age to help you plan for remaining service life, and check condensate drains, ductwork, and return filters.
Interior & Egress
Doors, windows, flooring, walls and ceilings, with special attention to bedroom windows meeting egress requirements for fire safety. Every receptacle and light switch gets tested, along with GFCI protection at kitchens and baths.
Appliances
Dishwashers, ranges, disposals, washers, dryers, refrigerators and built-in microwaves, checked for power and basic function.
Why Choose Bent Nail
Built to be understood, not just delivered.
- ✓Rated 4.9 out of 5 across 345+ verified reviews, from Knoxville buyers, sellers, and agents.
- ✓One of a small number of Certified Master Inspectors in the Knoxville area, a credential that requires a minimum inspection volume, ongoing education, and a background check, most inspectors never reach it.
- ✓Drone roof inspections on most homes, capturing every shingle and flashing detail without walking the roof.
- ✓Radon, pest, thermal imaging, sewer scope, and pool inspection, all in-house, no waiting on a third-party subcontractor to schedule a separate visit.
- ✓A full on-site walkthrough of every finding, not just an emailed PDF, so you leave the inspection actually understanding the house.
- ✓Major, minor, and safety issues clearly separated, so you know what needs attention now versus later.
Beyond Knoxville
We also inspect homes across the region.
Bent Nail is based in Oak Ridge and covers the wider East Tennessee market. See our full service area hub →, including Oak Ridge, Maryville, Farragut, Lenoir City, and Clinton.
Licenses, Certifications & Affiliations
Credentials that back up the report.
View our full list of certifications →
Verify our Tennessee home inspector license →
Bent Nail is also listed as an elite home inspector on Inspectopia.com.
Common Questions
What to expect from a Bent Nail inspection in Knoxville.
How long does a home inspection take?
Most single-family homes take two to four hours on-site, depending on size, age, and accessibility of the crawlspace, attic, and mechanical systems. Older Knoxville homes near downtown or Fountain City can run longer due to crawlspace access and older systems.
Do you inspect the roof with a drone?
Yes, on most homes. Drone imaging lets us capture detailed views of shingles and flashing without walking on the roof, protecting both your roofing materials and our inspectors.
Can I attend the inspection?
Yes, we encourage it. We walk you through findings in person and explain how each system works, not just what’s wrong with it.
When do I get the report?
You get a link to your online report the same day, with a downloadable PDF. Your Realtor can get access too, on request.
Do you inspect radon, mold, or well water too?
Yes. Radon, mold, air quality, asbestos, lead, well water, and septic dye testing can all be added alongside your home inspection. Radon testing is handled through our sister company, Rn86 Solutions.
One Call Covers More
Our sister companies can help too.
Rn86 Solutions
Radon testing and mitigation across East Tennessee, run by the same certified team behind your inspection.
Visit Rn86 Solutions →
Q36 Pest Control
Termite and pest inspection and treatment, coordinated seamlessly with your home inspection timeline.
Visit Q36 Pest Control →Ready to schedule your Knoxville home inspection?
Pay now, or pay at closing. Call for details.