Home Inspection Checklist

Although architectural details, wall and floor coverings,noting windows, doors, etc. Examine any porches or
modern conveniences and many other factors aredecks down to the foundation, then the grade or
important in the buying decision, the focus of thisslope of the lot area, followed by any coverings,
inspection is on the structural/mechanical/electricalsuch as flower beds, walkways, interlocking brick,
condition of the property.driveways, etc. Move closer to the house, to
The inspection is designed to give the real estateexamine more closely any details which may have
agent or prospective purchaser a system to detectattracted your attention, without skipping any items.
some of the readily accessible major flaws orHaving completed the front, move to the side of the
deficiencies in the significant components andhouse and start the same procedure (roof to
systems of a home. It is not designed to, nor does itground).
profess to facilitate detection of all flaws, problemsINTERIOR
or occurrences that might exist in any given home.On the interior, begin your inspection in the basement
To maximize time efficiency and to ensure all of theand then follow the system throughout each floor in
major sections of the home are take intothe house. The system for inspecting the interior is
consideration, we have developed a systematizedto begin with the floor, go to the walls and then the
approach to the inspection. This is a simplifiedceiling, and then consider any appliances or other
overview of systems that professional homeitems in the room. Move from room to room, always
inspectors use when they are inspecting a home.in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise)
To assist you in following the system, we haveso as to not miss any areas. If you see a door, open
provided a checklist that will guide you through yourit!
own inspection.In the utility room in the basement, first notice the
THE BIG PICTUREfloor, the walls (possibly the foundation walls are
The first step in inspecting a home is to examine thevisible here), then the ceiling (floor joists may be
big picture for the home. Notice the area the home isvisible), then go to the furnace, hot water heater,
located in. Are there other homes of similar age andelectrical panel, plumbing system, etc. When
construction details relative to the home you areinspecting the floors, walls and ceilings, scan the
inspecting? A comparison will give you a general ideaentire area that is visible, not just one section.
of the upkeep of the home. Have there beenIn a finished room you would notice the floors, walls
significant modifications to the exterior of the building(including windows) and ceiling. Next look for the heat
and if so, how is the workmanship?sources, electrical outlets and switches, fireplaces,
EXTERIORclosets etc. In bathroom or kitchen, notice the floor,
Start at the exterior front of the house and workwalls and ceiling, then the plumbing fixtures.
your way around the house (clockwise orCONDITION
counter-clockwise) at a distance which allows you toWhile performing the inspection, whether at the
view a complete face comfortably. On each faceexterior, the interior or one of the mechanical
(front, sides, rear) start your visual inspection at thesystems, note the system first, then its relative
top of the structure and work your way down tocondition. For example, if you were inspecting a wall
the ground and lot area. As an example, you wouldon the interior of the home you would first note that
start at the front and note the roof and chimneys,the wall is plaster, and then examine the wall for
the gutters, fascia and soffits. Then, moving downcracks and irregularities.
the exterior wall coverings (brick, wood, aluminum),