Home Inspection Checklist

A professional home inspection report is one of the most important aspects to look at when making a decision on whether or not to buy a home. Since you might not have deeper knowledge of the property you are about to buy, an inspector can help you evaluate the safety and operation features as well as the general condition of the home. If indeed there are any flaws or safety hazards relating to the various components of the home, you can choose to back out of the deal or negotiate for the seller to fix it.

Are you wondering which components of your soon-to-be home need to be inspected? Well, here is a checklist of the things you should expect your home inspector to evaluate:

1. The Foundation

Some of the things that need to be looked at on the foundation include the base of the walls, floor structure, ceiling structure as well as roof structures. Inspectors need to ascertain whether the load-bearing components of the building are well covered by insulation. They should also look for any possible cracks or apparent shift in foundation that might jeopardize the safety of the building.

2. Home Interior Components

A typical interior home inspection should target such components as the walls, ceilings, floors, steps and stairways. It should also touch on the railings, doors and windows.

Other aspects of the interior that need to be checked include:

• Countertops
• Cabinets
• Garage doors and their operators
• All installed kitchen appliances

3. Home Exterior Components

First begin by looking at the overall exterior look. Does the home require any minor or serious repairs and/or painting? Are there any asbestos materials or molds on the exterior walls that need to be removed? It is also important to confirm whether the chimneys, gutters and downspouts are all intact.

Other exterior components that need to be examined include:

• Eaves, fascias and soffits
• Decks and balconies
• Exterior doors
• Garage and/or carport
• Outdoor plants and gardens
• Walkways, driveways and patios

4. Electrical

A typical home electrical inspection will seek to affirm whether the switches, light fixtures, service entrance conductors, cables raceways and conductors are working properly. The inspector should also check all the circuit interrupters, over-current protection devices and service drops. Any malfunction or carelessly exposed electrical wires should be recorded down for reference during repairs.

5. Plumbing

The inspector should check whether there are unusual noises or possible malfunction in the plumbing system. It’s also very important to look at the sewer to identify any cracks or leaks.

The home inspector is also expected to check the following components:

• Water heaters
• Fixtures and faucets
• Sump pumps
• Sewage ejectors

6. Heating, Ventilation and Cooling Systems (HVACSs)

When it comes to a home’s HVAC system, the inspector needs to pay special attention to access panels, thermostats and all installed heating & cooling equipment. Other components to evaluate under this section include the condition of the furnace, stove, vent system, exhaust system, chimney as well as distribution system.

 

Conclusion

These are by far the most important aspects of a home that need inspection before making a purchase. Now that you have all the info on what to expect on the home inspection report, you can go ahead and sign that home purchase contract or compel the seller to carry out necessary repairs before you finalize the contract. That way, safety and genuine value for money are guaranteed as you perfectly understand the kind of home you are moving into.

Click here to download and print our Home Inspection Checklist. Print and take one to each home you preview so you can jot down the things you find during the home visit. This way you can keep track and know which home has what features and/or issues.