Total Home Inspection Checklist

Home Inspection Home Inspection
  • Grounds

  • Proper grading drainage away from house

  • No evidence of standing water

  • No leaks from septic tank or leech field

  • Yard, landscaping, trees and walkways in good condition

  • No branches or bushes touching house or overhanging the roof

  • Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detached garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rotted wood 

  • Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure

  • Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from structure

  • Downspout drainage directed away from structure

  • Structure

  • Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level

  • Sides of house appear straight, not bowed or sagging

  • Window and doorframes appear square (especially bowed windows)

  • Visible foundation in good condition - appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks

  • Exterior Surfaces

  • Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials (6" minimum); no wood-to-earth contact

  • Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay

  • Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken, spalling or flaking components

  • Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector) 

  • Vinyl or aluminum siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or loose siding 

  • No vines on surface of structure

  • Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters

  • No stains on exterior surfaces

  • Windows, Doors and Wood Trim

  • Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks, rot or decay

  • Joints around frames are caulked

  • No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken doublepaned, insulated window seals.

  • Muntin and mullion glazing compound in good condition

  • Storm windows or thermal glass used 

  • Drip caps installed over windows

  • Roof

  • Composition shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing

  • Wood shingles or shakes: no mold, rot or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling

  • Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/"alligatoring" and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings 

  • Flashing around roof penetrations

  • No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk

  • Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains

  • Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over

  • Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits 

  • Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition

  • Attic

  • No stains on underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations

  • No evidence of decay or damage to structure

  • Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house)

  • Adequate ventilation, clear path into attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational 

  • No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic 

  • No open electrical splices

  • Interior Rooms

  • Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level

  • No stains on floors, walls or ceilings 

  • Flooring materials in good condition 

  • No significant cracks in walls or ceilings

  • Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, "weep holes" installed

  • Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware 

  • Paint, wall covering, and 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 (spot check) 

  • Heating/cooling source in each habitable room

  • Evidence of adequate insulation in walls

  • Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined 

  • Kitchen

  • Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building

  • Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter ("GFCI") protection for electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink(s) 

  • Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly

  • No leaks in pipes under sinks

  • Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay 

  • Water flow in sink adequate 

  • No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes

  • Built-in appliances operate properly

  • Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly

  • Bathroom

  • Working exhaust fan that doesn\'t terminate in the attic space 

  • Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures 

  • Sink, tub and shower drain properly

  • Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition 

  • If sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn\'t leak

  • Toilet operates properly

  • Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base

  • Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area

  • Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid

  • No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower

  • Miscellaneous

  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances 

  • Stairway treads and risers solid 

  • Stair handrails where needed and in good condition

  • Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles

  • Basement or Mechanical Room 

  • No evidence of moisture

  • Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence

  • Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to foundation with anchor bolts 

  • Insula tion at rim/band joists 

  • Crawl Space

  • Adequately vented to exterior

  • Insulation on exposed water supply, waste and vent pipes

  • Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area 

  • No evidence of insect damage

  • No evidence of moisture damage 

  • Plumbing

  • Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system 

  • Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house. 

  • Water pump: does not short cycle

  • Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow

  • Well water test is acceptable

  • Hot water temperature between 118 - 125 degrees Fahrenheit

  • Electrical

  • Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected 

  • Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating 

  • No aluminum cable for branch circuits

  • Heating/Cooling System 

  • Appears to operate well throughout (good air flow on forced hot air systems) 

  • Flues: no open seams, slopes up to chimney connection

  • No rust around cooling unit

  • No combustion gas odor

  • No asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes or air ducts 

  • Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal

This checklist was created by tommiller01

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