home Inspection Checklist

EXTERIOR

GROUNDS

  • Good drainage, water sheds away from house and no standing water
  • Gutters and downspouts are functioning as expected
  • Water deflectors for gutters placed at valleys and high impact areas
  • Gutters have a metal “Gutter Helmet”
  • Walls, siding, doors, windows are free of algae, moss, dirt, and grime
  • No evidence of leaks from septic tank
  • Landscaping, driveway and walkways in good condition with no significant cracks
  • Trees in good condition without overhanging or touching roof
  • Detached garage, shed, fence and deck show no rotted wood or evidence of termites
  • Deck and stair railings are secure
  • leaves under bushes and pools of water for mosquito larvae are removed.

ROOF

  • Shingles are not missing or damaged and show no curling or cupping
  • No evidence of excess roofing cement or patches
  • Flashing around roof penetrations is present and in good condition
  • No decay or staining on soffits and fascia; fascia board lines appear straight and level
  • Vents for eaves are clean and not obstructed
  • Gutters show no decay, staining or rust and are securely attached with downspouts
  • Chimneys are straight and show no evidence of damage; flashing and cap are in good condition

OUTSIDE STRUCTURE

  • Visible foundation appears straight and plumb, in good condition with no significant cracks
  • Concrete foundation has no cracks or visible damage
  • No wood-to-ground contact
  • Siding has no cracks, decay or curling
  • Bricks show no damage or stress cracks in joints
  • Stucco shows no buldging, stress cracks, or flaking.
  • Aluminum and vinyl siding is not loose and shows no dents or damage
  • Paint is not flaking or blistered
  • Exterior walls show no staining

DOORS AND WINDOWS

  • Window appear square, no sticking, and locking correctly
  • Door frames appear square, no sticking, and locking correctly
  • Windows are caulked and sash between frames is functioning properly
  • Doors have weather stripping, are caulked,
  • Peep holes and windows in doors are weather resistant, secure and working properly.
  • Doors and Windows have the appropriate screens or storm proofing and/or security measures, and are functioning as expected.
  • Dog Doors are weather tight and secure from intruder access.
  • Thermal glass or storm windows are installed
  • Frames and trim are secure with no cracks or decay
  • Joints are caulked
  • Drip caps are installed
  • Garage Doors show no damage
  • Garage Doors tracks and rollers are oiled and operate properly
  • Garage Door Opener is operating as expected.

INTERIOR AND SYSTEMS

CRAWL SPACE

  • Adequate ventilation to exterior
  • No evidence of damage from moisture or insects
  • Water supply and waste pipes are insulated
  • Insulation between crawl space and heated areas

ATTIC

  • No evidence in attic of staining from roof
  • Structure shows no damage or decay
  • Adequate ventilation through soffit vents and end louvers; mechanical ventilation is operational
  • Plumbing, exhaust and appliance vents extend through roof
  • Insulation is sufficient and properly installed
  • Electrical splices are contained

ELECTRICAL

  • Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and all ground-fault circuit interrupters.
  • Service panel has adequate capacity with cables attached properly
  • No knob-and-tube wiring
  • No aluminum cable for branch circuits
  • Cables are secured
  • Visible wiring is in good condition
  • No exposed electrical splices

PLUMBING

  • No accumulated sediment in Water Heater
  • Pressure test Propane and Natural Gas lines for leaks
  • Check appliance safety features
  • Check the water softener or filter and report rate to replenish salt or change filters.
  • Visible pipes show no damage or evidence of leaks
  • Drain pipes slope toward main waste outlet to sewer or septic system
  • Water heater is appropriate size for home and shows no signs of rust
  • Water heater pressure release valve is working properly
  • Water heater spricket is working
  • Septic tank pump is working.
  • Septic outlet effluent filter cartridge has life
  • Manufacture date of water heater is within length of expected use
  • Water pressure at fixtures in home falls within accepted range
  • Hot water temperature at fixtures does not exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Water from well is tested
  • Water pump does not short-cycle
  • Washing Machine has lent filter and is operational.

HEATING AND COOLING

  • Using alternative heating methods such as pex-pipe radiant heating? Not leaking, heat source is vented properly, after burners are shielded, copper tubing is flowing up not down, there is a pressure relief valve before check valve.
  • No gas odor
  • Air conditioning and heating to operate well with good air flow throughout home
  • Air filters clean
  • thermostats functioning and placed correctly
  • Flues are clean and have no open seams
  • Check fireplace for damage or hazards
  • Chimney has no damage and are clear of tar and creosote
  • Chimney has screened cap on top, to prevent birds and rain water from entery
  • registers and heat vents are clean
  • Duct-work is in good condition
  • No rust around cooling unit

INSIDE ROOMS

BATHROOMS

  • Working exhaust fan vents to exterior
  • Adequate water flow and pressure for hot and cold water at all fixtures
  • Tub, shower and sink drain smoothly
  • Visible plumbing under sink is in good condition and cabinet floor shows no water damage
  • Toilets flush and fill properly
  • Toilet is stable, with no rocking or stains at base
  • Caulking inside and outside of tub and shower is in good condition
  • Tiles are secure
  • Grout is sealed
  • Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles for all electrical outlets located within 6 feet of sinks
  • No evidence of leaking around base of tub or shower

KITCHEN

  • Working exhaust fan vents to outside
  • Refrigerator coils are clean
  • Refrigerator door shuts on its own
  • Refrigerator door seals are not failing.
  • Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles for all electrical outlets located within 6 feet of sinks
  • Dishwasher drains properly and shows no evidence of leaks; door and baskets operate properly
  • Plumbing under sink is in good condition and cabinet shows no stains or decay from past leaks
  • Garbage disposal is operational and shows no rust or deterioration
  • Water flow to sink is adequate and drains properly
  • Built-in appliances operate properly
  • Cabinets are in good condition; doors and drawers operate properly
  • Back Splash is sealed, no sign of failure, secured. (Grout is sealed)
  • Vent-a-hood has working light, working fan, clean filter

INTERIOR ROOMS

  • Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight, plumb and level; no stains
  • Doors open without easily and latch properly when closed; no broken hardware
  • Flooring materials in good condition
  • No significant cracks in walls or ceilings
  • Windows and doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut
  • Paint, wall covering, paneling in good condition
  • Wood trim installed well and in good condition
  • Lights and switches operate properly
  • Adequate number of three-pronged electrical outlets in each room
  • Electrical outlets test properly with spot checks
  • Heating and air conditioning vents in all rooms
  • Fireplace has no cracking or damaged masonry and shows no staining, which could indicate back-drafting; flue has been cleaned and is lined; damper works properly
  • Has shop, utility shed, storage shed, out building, barn, living quarters, live stock or coop, club house, closed in pavilion, open pavilion, boat house, root cellar, storm shelter, or any other structure requiring possible maintenance.

SECURITY & HOME AUTOMATION

  • Exterior lighting with home security in mind
  • Interior lighting hooked to transfer switch in-case of power failure
  • adequate WiFi coverage
  • Cell phone antennas, towers, cables, bidirectional amplifiers working as expected
  • Security cameras installed, NVR working; entire system is functioning as expected
  • Security alarms installed and working
  • Networking and media cables properly fished behind walls to an exterior faceplate for a clean connection point.
  • Network switches and hub installed properly.
  • SMART lights are programmed and working
  • SMART thermostat is programmed and working
  • SMART door bell is recording, adjusted properly
  • SMART lawn & garden watering system is programmed and working properly
  • Media room is free of clutter and loose/random wires, all devices and players are connected to the TV and/or Speaker system and working properly

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors,
  • fire extinguishers are of proper type and in the correct location, readily accessible for an emergency.
  • House has a battery backup system with transfer switch
  • Battery banks are charged by solar panels, this system is working properly
  • House has a Rain Water Collection system working properly.
  • Occupants have a “Fire Escape Plan” in place, two story houses have means of escape, downstairs security windows and doors can be released from inside.
  • Dryer vent pipe is free of lent (from dryer to exterior)
  • No dryer lent build up at exterior termination
  • Stairway treads and risers are solid
  • Stair handrails located in required areas are in good condition
  • Automatic garage door operates properly and stops for obstructions