Home Inspection Checklist - Home Inspectors

Although architectural details, wall and floor coverings,wasping, broken edges, rounded corners or key holes
modern conveniences and many other factors are(slits) becoming wider that normal?Any loose
important in the buying decision, the focus of thisflashings, at the chimney, roof-to-wall connection or
inspection is on the structural/mechanical/electricalelsewhere?
condition of the property.The inspection is designedDoes the wooden roof deck appear rotten or
to give the real estate agent or prospectivedelaminated under the last row of shingles?Are there
purchaser a system to detect some of the readilyany roof vents visible?CHIMNEYSIs the masonry cap
accessible major flaws or deficiencies in the significantcracked or broken?
components and systems of a home. It is notAre any bricks flaking or missing? Mortar missing?
designed to, nor does it profess to facilitateIs the chimney leaning?SOFFITS AND FASCIANote
detection of all flaws, problems or occurrences thatwhether the soffit and fascia are wood, aluminum or
might exist in any given home.To maximize timeplastic
efficiency and to ensure all of the major sections ofAny loose or missing sections?If wood, are there
the home are take into consideration, we haveany paint problems? Any visible rot?GUTTERS AND
developed a systematized approach to the inspection.DOWNSPOUTSEnsure gutters slope down toward
This is a simplified overview of systems thatdownspouts
professional home inspectors use when they areAny rust or peeling paint?Apparent leaks or loose
inspecting a home.To assist you in following thesagging sections?Are the downspouts extended
system, we have provided a checklist that will guideaway from the foundations?WALL COVERINGSLook
you through your own inspection.THE INSPECTIONfor missing mortarAre the bricks flaking or
SYSTEMTHE BIG PICTUREThe first step in inspectingcracking?Look for loose, missing or rotten siding,
a home is to examine the big picture for the home.deteriorated paint.Does the siding appear new? Does
Notice the area the home is located in. Are thereit hide the foundation wall?Exterior walls bowed,
other homes of similar age and construction detailsbulged or leaning?WINDOWS AND DOORSLook for
relative to the home you are inspecting? Aproblems with paint or caulking, and rotted wood
comparison will give you a general idea of the upkeepcomponents.
of the home. Have there been significantAre the windows new or older? Are they the original
modifications to the exterior of the building and if so,windows?How old are they?PORCHES AND
how is the workmanship?EXTERIORStart at theDECKSCracking or flaking masonry?Check for paint
exterior front of the house and work your wayproblems, rotted wood, and wood-earth contact.Note
around the house (clockwise or counter-clockwise) atany settlement or separation from the house.Inspect
a distance which allows you to view a complete facethe underside, if accessible.FOUNDATIONSCheck for
comfortably. On each face (front, sides, rear) startcracks, flaking or damaged masonry.Note any water
your visual inspection at the top of the structure andmarkings and effluorescence (whitish, chalky
work your way down to the ground and lot area. Assubstance)
an example, you would start at the front and noteAny bowing, buldging or other irregularities?Soft
the roof and chimneys, the gutters, fascia andmortar?LOT AREADoes the grade slope away from
soffits. Then, moving down the exterior wallthe house?Any settled/low areas next to the
coverings (brick, wood, aluminum), noting windows,foundation, or cracked walks/driveway?
doors, etc. Examine any porches or decks down toIs the property lower than the street or neighboring
the foundation, then the grade or slope of the lotproperties?BASEMENTNote any evidence of water
area, followed by any coverings, such as flowerpenetration (stains, mildew/odors, effluorescence,
beds, walkways, interlocking brick, driveways, etc.loose tiles etc.)FLOORSCheck for deteriorated
Move closer to the house, to examine more closelycoverings or cracked ceramics.
any details which may have attracted your attention,Any water staining or other damage?
without skipping any items. Having completed theSloping or sagging?WALLSRandomly sample to
front, move to the side of the house and start thecheck that the windows and doors work.
same procedure (roof to ground).INTERIOROn theAre the walls straight vertically and horizontally?
interior, begin your inspection in the basement andLook for cracked or loose plaster.
then follow the system throughout each floor in theLook for stains, physical damage or previous repair
house. The system for inspecting the interior is toevidence.
begin with the floor, go to the walls and then theAny drywall seams or nails showing?CEILINGSCheck
ceiling, and then consider any appliances or otherfor cracks in the plaster or loose, sagging plaster.
items in the room. Move from room to room, alwaysLook for stains, mechanical damage or evidence of
in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise)previous repair.
so as to not miss any areas. If you see a door, openSeams or nails showing?BATHROOMS AND
it!In the utility room in the basement, first notice theKITCHENSCheck that all fixtures are secure.
floor, the walls (possibly the foundation walls areAre there any cracks in the fixtures?
visible here), then the ceiling (floor joists may beNote the conditon of the tiles and caulking in the tub
visible), then go to the furnace, hot water heater,shower area.
electrical panel, plumbing system, etc. WhenAre the faucets working? Do they leak? Sufficient
inspecting the floors, walls and ceilings, scan thewater pressure?
entire area that is visible, not just one section.In aLook for staining and rot under the counter-tops
finished room you would notice the floors, wallsRandomly sample the operation of the cabinet doors
(including windows) and ceiling. Next look for the heatand drawers.ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
sources, electrical outlets and switches, fireplaces,CONSIDERATIONSType, style and age of heating &
closets etc. In bathroom or kitchen, notice the floor,cooling systems. When were they last inspected or
walls and ceiling, then the plumbingserviced?
fixtures.CONDITIONWhile performing the inspection,Type of water supply piping and drains - any visible
whether at the exterior, the interior or one of therust and corrosion?
mechanical systems, note the system first, then itsSize and age of electical service - are the outlets
relative condition. For example, if you were inspectinggrounded? Visible wiring in good condtion?
a wall on the interior of the home you would firstHave there been any upgrades?Vist our website for
note that the wall is plaster, and then examine thea printable Pre-Inspection ChecklistArticle submitted
wall for cracks and irregularities.PROBLEMSTheby the American Home Inspector DirectoryAmerican
following are some typical problems or occurrencesHome Inspector Directory - Home Inspectors
to look for in the major components and systems ofNationwideNational Directory of Home Inspectors.
the home.ROOFIs the ridge (peak) showing a sag, orSearch our database of Home Inspectors Free -
is it straight and level?Is the roof sagging betweenInformation on Home Inspections, Home Loans and
the rafters or trusses?Are there any signs ofHome Inspection Organizations.
deterioration of asphalt shingles, such as curling,