House Inspection Checklist

The Importance of House Inspection

A meticulous check will assist you to:

• Discover immediate repairs before cosmetic uses.


• Steer clear of expensive shocks in the course of renovations.


• Assess safety, code, and structural integrity.


• Make the right decisions regarding replacements vs upgrades.


• Reduce the process of renovation.

Checklist of Inspection on the Exterior of the House

The external structure of your house shields the interior. Inspect one area of your house at a time, starting with the top.

1. Roof

• Do shingles curl, are missing, or broken?


• Flashings mossy or algae-covered, or rusted?


• Is attic venting or ridge vent working?


• Check chimneys to look at crumbling mortar or cracked caps.

2. Gutters and Downspouts

• Do gutters not have debris and leaves in them?


• Is there any sagging section or any leakage that is apparent?


• Are downspouts pointed away at least 5 feet of the foundation?

3. Siding and Paint

• Look out for peeling paint, rot, warping, or loose siding.


• Inspect pest damage (holes, sawdust, and chew marks).


• Is the outside pressure cleaned or repainted?

4. Foundation

• Look at cracks that are above 1/4 inch.


• Check the bulges created, deteriorating mortar, or water stains.


• Has it settled at all, or moved?

5. Windows and Doors

• Are there cracks in the windows or broken windows?


• Are there outdoor doors that shut correctly and with weather stripping?


• Inspect the frames on the lookout of drafts, rot, or rust.

6. Decks, Patios, and Porches

• Check the wood and look to see whether there is any rot, splinters, or wobbly railings.


• Check the presence of moving pavers, uneven concrete, or insects.


• Are you having a firm fastening of the deck to the house?

7. Driveway and Walkways

• Is there a lot of cracking or anything that may trip them?


• Search for water drainage or water pooling after rain.


• Anything of sinking or heaving?

Inspection Checklist Of The House Interior

So now we are going in and looking at the structural and functional parts of your home, room by room.

1. Attic

• Is it well insulated and ventilated?


• Do you see any water marks, mould, or insects?


• Look out for whether rafters or roof sheathing are damaged or sagging.

2. Floors, Curtains, and Walls

• Do constellations show any cracks, swellings, or water marks?


• Are the floors even and solid?


• You will hear creaky sounds as you walk on the floor.

3. Windows and Entrance Doors

• Do they lock, close, and open well?


• Look for foggy double panes (leaks out the gas).


• Do there exist drafts or condensations?

4. Plumbing System

• Check around toilets and under sinks where much usage is done.


• Exercise water pressure in every faucet and shower.


• Visit open pipes and check for rust, corrosion, or wear.


• Test the flush toilets and look/listen for slow run, or gurgling.

5. Electrical System

• Check all of the outlets using a plug-in tester.


• Are there frequent flickering of lights and breakers tripping?


• Does the electrical panel meet code, and is it neatly tagged?


• Do you have any exposed wires or old-fashioned 2-prong outlets?

6. HVAC System

• Switch on heating and cooling to see whether they are operating normally.


• Check ductwork and air filters, and view them for the presence of dirt or leaks.


• Enquire about the age and state of the furnace and AC units.

7. Basement / Crawlspace

• Search for any instances of water infiltration or mold.


• Check the wood rotting or termite damage.


• Is there any mustiness, efflorescence, or standing water?

8. Insulation

• Are there insulations in attics, basements, and walls?


• Inspect the location of cracks, settling, or nests.


• Are the bills on energy greater as compared to the norm?

Renovation Checklist: Room By Room Planning

The walks with the rooms and notes prepared are useful when it comes to deciding about the renovations. This can come in useful to give a concentration on cosmetic vs structural improvements.

Kitchen

• Do cabinets work, or are they outdated?


• Are the appliances energy-saving and in good condition?


• Is the design cook and storage friendly?


• Inspect the backsplash, countertops, flooring, and lighting.

Bathroom

• Any wet places around either toilets or tubs?


• Is the caulking, the grout, and the tile intact?


• Are the fans ducted to the outside?


• Are the sinks and the tubs fast draining?

Bedrooms

• Look to see outlets, lights, and the closets.


• Is egress from the windows (particularly the basement) given?


• Are flooring and soundproofing necessary?

Living Room / Dining Room

• Check on lighting and design, as well as the traffic flow.


• Are there worn-out, scratched, or stained floors?


• Are there fresh wall paints and ceiling fixed?

Laundry Room

• Make sure the dryer is venting properly.


• Do the washer hookups hold and do not leak?


• Is it waterproofed on the floor when there is an overflow?

Garage

• Does the door go open and shut okay?


• Do outlets involve GFCI protection?


• See whether there is insulation in case it is mounted to the house.

Checklist of Systems and Safety Inspection

Your home must not only be structured and look good, but also be safe and efficient.

Electrical Safety

• Put smoke detectors in each bedroom and each hallway.


• Furnace and just outside bedrooms, measurement of carbon monoxide.


• The GFCI outlets are to be checked in kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior areas.

Fire and Exit

• Kitchen & garage's fire extinguisher...


• Do stairs and corridors have no clutter and are bright?


• Are there big and accessible escape windows?

Home Security

• Inspect the locks on the doors, deadbolts, and window locks.


• Think about smart locks or security cameras.


• Are all the points of entry lit up with exterior lights?

Pest Control

• Check droppings, chewed wires, or damage to wood.


• Search inside the corners of the attics and basements.


• Arrange an inspection of pests in case of doubt.

Priorities in Repairs And Home Renovations

After you have completed the inspection process, sort your renovation projects into the following categories:

1. Crisis Structural Repairs

• Roof leaks


• Foundation cracks


• Worn-out electricity or plumbing


• Moisture intrusion

2. Functional Upgrades

• Even a new HVAC system


• Refurbished/new windows/doors (Those windows/doors that are energy efficient)


• New kitchen/bathroom fixtures

3. Cosmetic Improvements

• Painting, flooring, and lighting upgrades


• Cabinet refinishing or change of tiles


• Wall re-design or open concept re-design

4. Wish List Items

• New addition to the home office


• Patio/outside kitchen


• Automation of a smart home