Total Home Inspection Checklist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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 

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 

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

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

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