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