Home Inspections in Smithfield & Johnston County, NC
Johnston County - the county seat on the Neuse, where I-95 meets US 70
Smithfield was chartered in 1777 and has been the Johnston County seat ever since. The Neuse River runs right through town, splitting downtown from West Smithfield, and I-95 runs along the east side with three exits. Smithfield itself grew slowly, about 3 percent between the 2010 and 2020 Census counts, but the county around it was the fastest growing in North Carolina over that same decade. That means buyers see two very different houses here. In town and in Selma, Four Oaks, Benson, Kenly and Princeton, the housing is older: pre-war homes in the historic district, 1950s and 1960s ranches, and manufactured homes on small lots. Out from the towns, new subdivisions are filling in farmland along US 70, NC 210 and NC 42. Johnston County Public Utilities and the towns run water and sewer inside the service lines, and a large share of homes outside them run on a private well and a septic system. Focused Property Inspections covers Smithfield and Johnston County with a Certified Master Inspector based in the Triangle. One appointment covers the house and every added service the lender or the lot calls for, with a clear report the same day in most cases.
Communities We Serve
Johnston County - the county seat on the Neuse, where I-95 meets US 70
Smithfield & Selma
- Downtown Smithfield
- West Smithfield
- Selma
- Wilson's Mills
- Pine Level
- Brogden
South on I-95
- Four Oaks
- Benson
- Meadow
- McGee's Crossroads
- Dunn
East & North
- Kenly
- Princeton
- Micro
- Clayton
- Archer Lodge
- Goldsboro
Your FPI Inspector

Everything in One Appointment
A Johnston County purchase on a rural lot can stack up four or five inspections: the house, the septic, the well, the termite letter, radon. FPI performs the stack in-house in one visit: home inspection, new construction and 11-month warranty inspections, pre-listing inspection, septic evaluation, wood-destroying insect report (FPI issues the NC WDIR 100 directly), radon testing, sewer scope, mold and air quality testing, pool and spa, and manufactured-home foundation letters for FHA and VA loans. For well water, FPI collects the samples during the inspection and coordinates the lab analysis. One schedule call, one visit, one report.
| Service | What it covers | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| Home inspection | Roof, structure, exterior, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interior, attic, crawlspace | Every purchase |
| New construction (pre-drywall, final walkthrough) | Framing, rough-ins and flashing before drywall; punch list before closing | New builds |
| 11-month builder warranty | Full inspection before the one-year warranty expires | New homes at month 10 to 11 |
| Pre-listing inspection | Same report, before the home goes on the market | Sellers and listing agents |
| Wood-destroying insect (WDIR 100) | Termite and WDI inspection; FPI issues the NC WDIR 100 directly | Most loans, every crawlspace home |
| Septic inspection | Tank, distribution box, drain field evaluation | Homes outside municipal sewer |
| Sewer scope | Camera inspection of the lateral from house to main | Older homes and mature neighborhoods |
| Radon testing | FPI places and recovers the continuous monitor and reports the result | Slab and basement homes |
| Mold & air quality testing | Air and surface sampling; testing and documentation only | Crawlspaces, prior water intrusion |
| Water testing | FPI collects samples and coordinates the lab analysis | Homes on a private well |
| Pool and spa | Equipment, safety barriers, surface and plumbing | Homes with pools |
| Manufactured-home foundation letter | HUD foundation certification | FHA and VA loans on manufactured homes |
Schedule a Smithfield & Johnston County inspection → or call 984-444-2099
What We Recommend in Smithfield & Johnston County
Septic evaluation.
A large share of Johnston County homes outside the town lines are on septic. A septic evaluation during the inspection tells your buyer whether the tank and drain field are working before closing, not after the first big rain.
Well water testing.
Private wells are common from Four Oaks to Kenly, and VA and FHA lenders want a lab result on a private well. FPI collects the samples at the inspection and coordinates the lab analysis so the result lands inside due diligence.
Wood-destroying insect report (WDIR 100).
Termites thrive in the Coastal Plain, and most NC purchase loans, VA included, want the NC WDIR 100 before closing. Older crawlspace homes in Smithfield, Selma and Benson have had decades of exposure. FPI completes the inspection during the home inspection and issues the form.
Manufactured-home foundation letters.
Manufactured homes are common across Johnston County. FHA and VA loans on them need an engineer-style foundation certification. FPI inspects the piers, anchors and skirting and issues the letter.
Smithfield Home Inspection FAQ
How fast can you inspect a home in Smithfield?
Most Johnston County inspections are scheduled within two to three business days, and the report is delivered the same day in most cases. Call or text (984) 444-2099 or book online.
What is included in one visit?
The home inspection plus any added service you choose: septic evaluation, termite letter, radon testing, sewer scope, mold and air quality testing, pool and spa, or the manufactured-home foundation letter. Well water samples are collected during the same visit.
What areas do you cover from Smithfield?
Smithfield, Selma, Four Oaks, Benson, Kenly, Princeton, Pine Level, Wilson's Mills, Clayton and the rest of Johnston County.
The house is near the Neuse River. What should I know?
Low lots along the Neuse and its creeks sit in mapped flood zones, and the lender may require flood insurance. FPI documents the crawlspace, grading and drainage, and notes any sign of past water in the report so you can check the FEMA flood map with your agent.
The listing says well and septic. Can you handle both in the same visit?
Yes. FPI performs the septic evaluation and collects the well water samples during the home inspection, then coordinates the lab analysis. One visit.
Does a VA loan in North Carolina require a termite inspection?
In North Carolina, VA purchase loans generally require a wood-destroying insect inspection on the NC WDIR 100 form. FPI performs it during the home inspection and issues the form directly.
Also see: Clayton · Raleigh · Goldsboro · Dunn · Meet Matt · Septic Inspection · WDI Inspection · Manufactured-Home Foundation Letter
Johnston County Expertise. Rural-Lot Ready Inspections.
Smithfield & Johnston County and the surrounding area. Schedule online today or call 984-444-2099.