First Defense Building Inspection is a Tucson inspection company owned by Kief Manning, who holds Arizona Board of Technical Registration license #76157. Kief is a licensed drone pilot and a disaster relief inspector, and he inspects homes for buyers across Tucson and Southern Arizona. If you are under contract on a house, call (520) 505-1423 and we will find a time to walk it with you.
Ready to schedule? Call (520) 505-1423 or Schedule an inspection. You can also see pricing and our full list of inspection services.
What we inspect
A buyer inspection is a top-to-bottom look at the house as it stands today. We check the visible and accessible parts of the home, including:
- Roof surfaces, flashing, penetrations, and drainage, whether tile, shingle, or foam
- Exterior walls, stucco, trim, windows, doors, and the grading around the foundation
- Foundation and structure, including slab cracks and signs of movement
- Electrical panel, visible wiring, outlets, and safety devices
- Plumbing supply and drain lines, water heater, and fixtures
- Heating and cooling equipment, ductwork, and airflow
- Attic space, insulation, and ventilation
- Interior rooms, ceilings, floors, and built-in appliances
Who it is for
This service is for anyone buying a home in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Vail, Sonoita, Benson, Arizona City, Casa Grande, or Maricopa. First-time buyers get a lot out of it, because we explain what we find as we go. Move-up buyers, investors, and people relocating from out of state use it too. If the house has a pool, an older roof, or a sewer line nobody has looked at, ask us about adding those services. Sellers who want to know what a buyer will find can read about a seller home inspection.
What the report includes
Every report has photos of the items we find, written in plain language instead of trade shorthand. Each finding tells you what we saw, why it matters, and what we suggest as a next step, whether that is a repair, a visit from a specialist, or simply watching it over time. You can take the report to your agent and use it to decide what to ask the seller for. We also point out what is in good shape, so you know what you are getting.
Southern Arizona issues we see
Homes here age differently than homes in other parts of the country. The things we watch for most often include:
- Monsoon damage at roof flashing, skylights, and parapet walls, where water finds the smallest gap
- Foam roofs that have lost their coating or have blisters and ponding
- Stucco cracks, some cosmetic and some that point to movement or water entry
- Drainage that sends storm runoff toward the foundation instead of away from it
- Older clay and cast-iron sewer lines, which are worth a look with a camera (see our sewer scope inspections)
- Air conditioners that have worked hard through long summers and show wear
- Pool and spa equipment that has sat in the sun for years (see pool and spa inspections)
Desert soil, heat, and sudden heavy rain all leave marks on a house. We know where to look for them.
How to book
Call as soon as you have an accepted offer, because inspection periods are short. Tell us the address, your closing timeline, and whether you want extras like a sewer scope or a pool check. We take calls seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You are welcome to attend the inspection, and we will walk you through what we find. You can also email FirstDefenseInspection@gmail.com, or write to us at 8987 E Tanque Verde Rd, Ste 309 #156, Tucson, AZ 85749.
Call (520) 505-1423 or Schedule an inspection.
Questions about cost? Read our pricing page. To see everything we do, visit our inspection services.