
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.