Do you need a home inspection checklist?
I am a licensed home inspector and below is my home inspection checklist for buyers that you can download as a PDF file.
In this checklist I go over…
- Inspecting the roof
- Checking for rotted wood
- Operations of windows and doors
- Defective plunbing
- And more…
Home Inspection Checklist
This home inspection checklist is for new buyers, but it can also be used by sellers, or for maintenance purposes. Use this as a guide to find defects and maintenance items with a home. You can download and print the Home Inspection Checklist PDF right here.
If you are buying a home, you can take this DIY home inspection checklist to do some inspecting on your own along with a professional home inspection. This home inspection list isn’t meant to cover every conceivable problem that a house can present — but use it to spot some common issues.
If you see something that seems weird or unusual — it probably is — and you can take a picture for reference and have a contractor check it out.
Read Also: How To Pass A Home Inspection?
Hire A Home Inspector For Peace of Mind
Please don’t take this checklist and this it would cover everything that a professional home inspector would find… such a list would be impossible to make.
Home inspectors frequently find multiple repair items during a home inspection that are unique just for that specific house and would never be part of a checklist. If you are buying a home, I highly recommend spending a couple hundred bucks to hire a licensed or certified home inspector.
Home Inspection Checklist (PDF Download)
You can download my home inspection checklist as a PDF file right here. Feel free to print it out and use it on your next purchase or on your existing home.
Exterior Part of Home Inspection
The exterior part of the home inspection consists of stepping back from the home and looking at the roof. If it is safe, it is even better to walk the roof so you can properly inspect the flashing, vents, chimney, and shingles.
The exterior inspection will also involve walking the lot, taking a look at the grading, shrubs, siding, windows, and exterior doors.
Roof
Shingles
- Missing or damaged shingles
- Search for cracks, curled, or cupped shingles
- Faded appearance (indicator of age)
Read Also: How Radon Testing Works During Home Inspections?
Structural
- Sagging ridgeline
- Soft areas
Flashing
- Deteriorated or missing flashing around vents, chimney, skylights
Soffit Vents
- Is there soffit venting? Is it in good condition?
- Are the soffit vents painted over? (bad for air flow)
Gutters
- Should have gentle slope towards downspout
- Properly fastened to fascia board
- Clogged or need cleaning?
- Downspout extensions or splash guards to get water away from home
Read Also: How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost?
Exterior Walls
Wood Trim
- Rotted/deteriorated wood trim (doors, windows, garage etc)
Caulking
- Missing caulking around wall penetrations (pipes, wires etc)
- Hairline cracks in caulk
Vinyl or Fiber Cement Siding
- Damaged siding like holes or cracks
- Bowing of siding or not properly installed
Brick/Stone
- Deteriorated brick or stone veneer
- Deteriorated mortar
- Cracking
- Bowing
Read Also: How Long Does A Home Inspection Take?
Doors, Windows, Deck
Exterior Doors
- Do doors open smoothly and cleanly?
- Do the doors lock properly?
- There should be 1/2″ to 1″ gap under door for air flow
Windows
- Rotted/deteriorated window sills are common
- Windows should be properly caulked
- Are the windows cracked?
- Are the window drain channels is good condition?
- Do the windows have broken thermal seals? (Cloudy appearance)
- Rusted lintels (metal span above window)
- Old single paned windows (poor energy efficiency)
Deck
- Loose railings
- Missing/loose railing along stairs to deck
- Loose or warped deck boards
- Ledger board missing proper lag bolts (or rusted bolts)
- Missing ledger board flashing
Read Also: What Fixes Are Mandatory After A Home Inspection?
Grounds
Lot
- Lot should have sloping grade away from the home (ground should NOT slope towards foundation)
- Shouldn’t be any holes or depressions on the lot that present trip hazards or collects water
Walkways & Driveway
- Walkways that are lifting up are a trip hazard
- Driveway cracking and seal coat deterioration
Trees And Shrubs
- There shouldn’t be any dead trees (or dangerous limbs) on property
- Tree limbs should be trimmed back away from home at least several feet
- No decent sizes trees should be close to the home (roots may damage foundation)
- All bushes and shrubs should be trimmed away from home at least 1-2 feet
- No holes presenting trip hazards
Read Also: The Biggest Reason To Make Offer Contingent On A Home Inspection?
Electrical System
- Outlets are GFCI connected
- Do exterior lights turn on?
Interior Part of Home Inspection
The interior part of the home inspections consists of inspecting the bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, HVAC system, attic, and electrical system.
Bathrooms
Toilet
- Are the toilets loose at the base?
- Toilets flush properly (and no weird noises)
Sink
- Sink hot and cold water works
- Sink isn’t slow to drain
- Sink is secure to wall
Drywall
- No soft drywall areas especially next to bathtub
- There should be any mold in the corners
- No soft areas along tile wall
- Cracked tiles
Exhaust fan
- Bathroom exhaust fan is working and has suction
- Outlet should be wired correctly and is GFCI connected (hit test button)
Read Also: 10 Home Inspection Tips For Sellers?
Plumbing System
- Branch pipes are blue/gray polybutylene piping (recalled & defective)
- Main water line may also by defective polybutylene
- Low water pressure
- Signs of pipe leaks or deterioration
- Old galvanized supply or drain pipes may be highly deteriorated on inside
Interior Doors
- Do interior doors open and close smoothly?
- Do they lock correctly?
- There should be a gap underneath doors for air flow
Windows
- Do the windows open smoothly?
- Can the windows be locked?
- Are the thermal seals intact?
- Glass cracks
Electrical System
Outlets
- Are the outlets wired correctly?
- Is there power?
- For old homes, are all of the outlets grounded?
Panel Box
- Has the model/brand been recalled?
- Undersized or oversized breakers
- Defective aluminum wiring
Bedrooms
Light Fixtures
- Do the lights work?
- Do stairways have 3-way switching?
Closet
- Do closets doors work properly?
Wall
- Deteriorated paint
- Soft areas
- Bowing of wall
Read Also: 16 Key Questions To Ask During A Home Inspection?
Kitchen
- Does over turn on and get to 500F?
- Do burners turn on properly?
- Does microwave work?
- Are kitchen outlets GFCI connected and working? (hit test button)
- Is icemaker and water dispenser working?
- Does garbage disposer work?
- Is sink leaking? (Open cabinet and check underneath)
- Does range hood turn on with adequate suction?
- Does dishwasher work and not leak?
- Is countertop properly secured?
Garage
- Does garage door opener work without loud sounds?
- Does laser reverse safety mechanism work?
- Does garage door reverse when it hits object?
- Are outlets in garage GFCI and working?
Smoke And Carbon Monoxide
- Is there a smoke detector in each room and one on each level?
- Is there a carbon monoxide alarm on each level if there are gas appliances?
Attic
- Is there insulation at least several inches above top of ceiling joists?
- Evidence of water leaks on roof sheathing
- Signs of mice or other animals like holes in insulation (urine or feces on insulation)
- Is the ridge vent clear of obstructions?
- Is the soffit venting clear of insulation? (Never cover attic soffit vents with insulation)
- Mold on sheathing or trusses
Read Also: How Mold Testing Works During Home Inspections?
HVAC System
- Mold on air vent covers?
- Is the A/C cooling properly?
- Is the furnace, heat pump, or boiler adequately heating?
- When was the last time HVAC was serviced?
- Is the interior of furnace or heat pump clean of dust and mold?
- What is the age of HVAC system? (life expectancy is 15-20 years typically)
Crawlspace
- Evidence of damaged, deteriorated, or termite infested wood?
- Columns aren’t properly supported
- Signs of water infiltration
- Is the crawlspace encapsulated?
- Missing vapor barrier
- Signs of rodents
- Is crawlspace properly ventilated?
- Is it properly insulated?
