Home Inspection Checklist

Every prospective homeowner is advised to have thorough home inspections done by professionals before purchasing a home. A home inspection can protect you from incurring unexpected costs after completing the purchase. Also, by identifying any problems up front you can often convince the seller to either fix the problems or reimburse the buyer for the cost of repairs before the purchase is completed.

The most common inspections are an overall home inspection, which evaluates the home's structural and mechanical condition, and a pest inspection, which looks for pest and moisture damage. However, these reports may highlight issues that should be investigated by a specialized professional (e.g., a roofer or plumber).

Print this list and use it to inspect the home you are looking to buy:

Item	Description	Notes
Roof	Check for leaks or conditions that might lead to leaks. Make sure there are no trees touching or overhanging the roof (wet leaves are very heavy).	Watertight: Trees:
Foundation	Check for cracks, shifting or settling. See if house is bolted to foundation (for earthquake safety.) Make sure mudsill (part of the house that rests on the foundation) is in good condition. Should be dry.	Cracks: Shifting: Retrofitted: Mudsill:
Windows	Check for dry rot on panes, sills and frames. Check for cracks in glass. Make sure windows open properly. Check that windows seal tightly. Check for moisture damage inside.	Panes / Sills / Frames: Glass: Seal: Opening:
Electrical Systems	Test outlets, light sockets and switches to ensure they work properly. Check to see if system has been updated (3-prong outlets, circuit breakers, etc. - for older houses). Look for GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) outlets in bathroom and kitchen. Look for broken or loose outlets. Test light fixtures.	Outlets - 3-prong, unbroken, tight fitting: GFI outlets: Light fixtures: Switches: Circuit breakers:
Plumbing	Check for leaks around pipes and fixtures. Test water pressure (turn on more than one faucet at once). Test hot water pressure (same method). Check walls around shower and for water damage. Look for rust or leaking around hot water heater. Make sure water heater is up to code.	Not leaking: Water pressure: Hot water pressure: Shower walls: Hot water heater:
Fireplace/Chimney	Check for crumbling mortar around brickwork. Look at stability of chimney. Check for obstructions.	Mortar intact: Chimney stable: No obstructions:
Drainage	Make sure that spouts drain away from house. Yard should slope away from the house to draw water away. Earth should be at least 6-8 inches below top of concrete foundation.	Spouts: Slope: Earth grading:
Pests	Look for termite / beetle holes in wooden supports and under house. Check attic vents for hornet / wasp nests. Check for rodent droppings in cupboards and under house.	No holes: No nests: No droppings:
Floor	Check for water damage, especially around plumbing fixtures. Test for soft spots in floor. Check under house for water-damaged floorboards and supports.	No water damage - firm floor: Intact floorboards and supports:
Kitchen	Check that appliances and faucet are operational.	Oven: Range: Faucet:
Hazardous Materials	Check for asbestos and lead.	Asbestos: Lead:
Stairs and Walkways	Make sure that all stairs and walkways (inside and out) are free of obstructions. All stepping stones should be firm. Railings should be steady.	Indoor stairs: Outside (porch) stairs: Railings: Walkways:
Pool/Spa	Make sure cleaning / filtering system works properly. Test thermostat. Check for leaks or cracks.	Filter operational: Thermostat operational: No cracks / leaks:
Paint	Check for cracking or peeling paint.	Interior: Exterior:
Furnace	Make sure thermostat is operational. Check venting.	Thermostat working: Vented properly: Vents clean: