Home Inspection Checklist

Whether you are a first time homebuyer or have purchased five homes, a home inspection is highly recommended. The primary purpose of a home inspection is to make sure the home is for the most part a very solid and safe home. Inspections can provide peace of mind when making one of the largest investments you will make. A quality home inspector could potentially identify serious safety issues and forecast potential future expenses you might not be able to take on. But when inspections cost $300- $600, some homebuyers are tempted to waive the opportunity for one. Before you decide one way or another, it important to know what to expect from a home inspection. Here is a comprehensive list of what your home inspector should investigate.

Structure

Structure Type

Foundation Type

Movement

Staircases

Railings

Beams

Floor/Slab

Joints/Trusses

Stairs/Handrails

Piers/Posts

Subfloor Type

Kitchen

Ceiling

Windows

Countertops

Cabinets Open/Close

Appliances

Walls

Electrical Outlets

Under Sink Plumbing

Exhaust for Stovetop

Sink and Dishwasher Drains

Floors

Light Switches

Island Secured

Garbage Disposal

Water Line for Refrigerator

Doors

HVAC Vents and Radiators

Sinks

Living Spaces/Bedrooms

Ceiling

Windows

Walls

Electrical Outlets

Floors

Light Switches

Doors

HVAC Vents and Radiators

Bathrooms

Ceiling

Windows

Exhaust Fans

Sink and Shower Tub Drains

Walls

Electrical Outlets

Plumbing

Toilet Water Flow/Flush

Floors

Light Switches

Faucets/Traps

Doors

HVAC Vents and Radiators

Shower/Tub Material/Condition

Laundry

Ceiling

Windows

Washing Machine Hook-ups

Walls

Electrical Outlets

Washing Machine Drain

Floors

Light Switches

Dryer Vents

Doors

HVAC Vents and Radiators

Basement

Ceiling

Windows

Sump-Pump

Walls

Electrical Outlets

Insulation

Floors

Light Switches

Stairs/Railings

Doors

Yard Access

HVAC Vents and Radiators

Attic/Crawlspace

Ceiling/Roof

Windows

Insulation

Walls

Electrical Outlets

Water Damage

Floors

Light Switches

Vapor Barrier

Doors

HVAC Vents and Radiators

Fan Venting

Garage/Carport

Ceiling

Windows

Garage Door Material/Operation

Walls

Electrical Outlets

Floors

Light Switches

Garage Door Opener

Doors

HVAC Vents and Radiators

Fireplace/Woodstove

Construction Material/Type

Flue

Damper

Electrical

Main Breaker

Un-grounded Breakers

Voltage Amounts

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Electrical Boxes

Circuit Types

Electrical Outlets

Radon Mitigation

Breaker Types

Service Type

Light Switches

Alarm System

Grounded Breakers

Ampage Amounts

Smoke Detectors

Plumbing

Service Line Type

Water Heater/Capacity

Water Main Shutoff Location

Age Of Units (Approximate)

Vent Pipe Type

Water Heater Type

HVAC

A/C Condensate Removal

Ductwork Type

Heat Capacity

Circulator Type

Exterior A/C Unit/Type

Thermostats

Age of Units (Approximate)

Fuel Tank Type

Visible A/C Coil

Heat System Type

Distribution Type

Tank Location

HVAC Vents

Ceiling Fans

Window A/C Units

Roof

Roof Material

Flashing

Roof Age (Approximate)

Skylights

Gutters

Chimney

Downspouts

Chimney Flashing and Caps

Exterior Surfaces

Siding Type

Windows

Doorbells

Siding Condition

Soffits Type

Outdoor Lighting

Trim Type

Exterior Doors

Exterior Electrical Outlets

Trim Condition

Foundation Cracks/Chips

Faucets

Grounds

Porch Rot

Trees/Shrubs

Deck Stability

Sprinkler System

Walkways

Fencing

Deck Rot

Driveway

Gates

Porch Stability

Masonry Integrity

Given this extensive list and the time it will take a home inspector to review these items, you may find it is money well spent. Remember, inspections are not done to make sure that every last thing in a home is perfect and to your liking. Instead, they either reveal issues or determine that the home has no costly safety or repair issues.

If you are looking for suggestions on home inspectors, you should talk with your COListings realtor, who has likely worked with many different inspectors. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Angie's List are also great resources for finding quality home inspectors.