Home Inspection Checklist

While every home is different, this checklist identifies the main things a home inspector should check during a home inspection.

Roof System

• Flat roof covering – condition
• Sloped roof covering, valleys and wall flashings
• Roof vents and hydro mast and plumbing flashings
• Roof drainage and downspout systems
• Chimney and chimney flashings
• Skylights

Exterior

• Exterior wall covering, flashing and trim
• Gutters and downspouts
• Attached decks, balconies, steps and porches
• Grading around the house
• Landscaping and vegetation issues
• Garage doors and closers and safety issues in garage
• Driveways and walkways
• Exterior doors, windows and window wells
• Basement walk-outs and catch basin drain
• Safety issues in the yard

Structural System

• Accessible components of the foundation and upper structure
• Cracks in the foundation and upper walls
• Basement dampness, leakage and prior repairs
• Crawl space rotted wood members including sills, floor joists and beams
• Support pillars
• Basement floor including cracks
• Wall, ceiling and floor joist structure
• Sloping floors
• Support beams and columns
• Roof structure, trusses and roof sheathing
• Fire rated separation party walls between adjoining townhouses

Electrical System

• Exterior hydro service
• Main hydro panel, wire connections and breakers
• Service amperage capacity and grounding
• Inspect wiring including under suspended ceilings and in attics
• Test electrical outlets where possible
• Inspect junction boxes and lights
• Inspect wiring to exterior as well as outbuildings
• Test all ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) receptacles.
• Insurance issues, aluminum, and knob and tube wiring, less than 100 amps, fuses

Plumbing System

• Main water meter shut-off location, size and type
• Water pressure/flow
• Distribution piping type (galvanized steel, copper and plastic)
• Hot water heater age, condition and venting
• Drainage piping type and inspect for leaks, P traps and drain flow
• Sump pump and sump pit
• Kitchen, bathroom, laundry, plumbing fixtures, and leaks
• Bathtubs/showers ceramic tile leaks

Heating System

• Furnace or boiler operation
• Type of fuel (gas, oil, electricity)
• Furnace efficiency (conventional, mid and high efficiency)
• Age, projected life expectancy and failure probability of furnace or boiler
• Inspect heat exchanger if possible as well as condensate leaks
• Electric baseboard heaters, hot water radiators and in-floor radiant heating
• Vent system and flues
• Air filters, including electronic filters maintenance
• Air supply duct system. Do all rooms have a heat source?
• Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)
• Humidifier

Air Conditioning System

• Inspect outdoor air conditioning unit and coil
• Run air conditioner in warm weather
• Inspect for temperature drop
• Inspect for condensate leaks
• Age, size and projected life expectancy and failure probability

Insulation

• Amount and type of insulation and condition
• Proper attic and crawl space ventilation
• Vermiculite insulation because of asbestos concerns
• Proper bathroom and kitchen exhaust fan venting
• Basement and crawl space insulation and moisture barriers

Interior

• Walls, ceiling and floors
• Open and close all doors and windows and inspect for failed window thermal seals, including skylights.
• Stairways, handrails and guardrails
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Kitchen cabinets and counters
• Gas fireplaces
• Whether a separate Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) certified inspection is required (by a certified WETT Inspector) for wood-burning fireplaces
• Inspect basements walls for leakage
• Inspect for visible mold-like substances, mildew and other indoor hazards such as asbestos
• Inspect for vermin or other pests.
• Inspect for other safety issues – i.e. low or small windows (means of egress), exposed well pump pulley, dryer vent material, smoke alarms, CO detectors, etc.