What's Included in a Home Inspection?
A good home inspection is the last opportunity for buyers to uncover any issues before purchasing a house. Understanding what is covered and what isn’t is vital in realizing the importance of a thorough home inspector.
A home inspection is your opportunity to uncover any defects in the home and to get the seller to pay for repairs. The more thorough and versatile the inspection is, the better the chance that any problems will be found. This can save homebuyers money and help them avoid a potentially disastrous situation.
So What's Included in a Home Inspection Checklist?
A good home inspection will include things like a home’s foundation, structural components, roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, then provide a written home inspection report with results. While the report may list minor defects, pay attention to the severity of issues. Any major issues should be addressed.
Here is a breakdown of all the things that are included in a home inspection.
EXTERIOR
- Exterior doors
- Windows
- Chimney, spark arrestor, and cap
- Grounds: gates, retaining walls, soils, drainage, landscaping, driveway, sidewalks
- Decks, patios, porches, balconies, and related covers
- Stairs, handrails, guardrails
- Wall surface and related components
- Roof; roof covering material, flashings/ penetrations, skylights, gutters and downspouts
INTERIOR
- Fireplace and Chimney: Fireplace condition and proper operation, damper operation, hearth extension, condition and appropriate size
- Bathrooms; counters, cabinets, floors, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and ventilation
- Laundry; utility source, dryer duct
- Kitchen; Counters, cabinets, sinks, garbage disposal, dishwasher, range/ cooktop, Exhaust hood, trash compactor, and microwave
- Interior doors
- Windows and skylights
- Walls, ceilings, floors
- Stairs, handrails, guardrails
ELECTRICAL
- Service Entrance Conductor (S.E.C.) and related components
- Main and sub electrical panels and related components
- Wiring, Conduit, and related components
- Receptacles, switches, lighting, and related components
- Exterior electrical components
- Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
PLUMBING
- Plumbing System
- Water supply service/ main
- Water supply lines and related components
- Drain lines, waste lines, and vent lines
- Fuel gas lines and related components
- Faucets, fixtures, and hose bibs
- Water supply functional flow and proper drainage
- Water Heater
- Description
- Exhaust flue
- Combustion air
- Electrical
- Emergency drain pan
- Temperature and Pressure Relief valve and drain line
- Seismic straps
CRAWLSPACE
- Crawlspace, Foundation, Basement
- Accessibility and hatch size
- Floor framing structure
- Wood separation from soil
- Floor insulation
- Appropriate ventilation
- Foundation condition
- Foundation anchoring and cripple walls
- Basement; exterior door, windows, stairs, and associated areas
GARAGE
- Attached garage-house door and related components
- Exterior door
- Vehicle door, automatic opener, and safety reverse mechanism
- Interior, walls, ceiling, floor
- Appropriate fire separation
- Detached garage, carport structure
- Detached garage exterior
- Detached garage roof
ATTIC
- Roof framing structure
- Ceiling insulation
- Appropriate ventilation
- Vent screens
- Exhaust ducts
- Accessibility, size of attic hatch
- Attic fan
HVAC
- Heating equipment condition and proper operation
- Cooling equipment condition and proper operation
- Energy source and connections
- Air filter
- Exhaust flue
818-263-5447
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“Awesome inspector! We were very impressed with the thoroughness and detail. Justin was instrumental in helping us in our house-hunting decisions.” — Paris S, Los Angeles Customer
DISCLAIMER:
All results will vary depending on the type of structure, accessibility of areas and components, and condition of the equipment at the time of the inspection. The following comments and/ or deficiencies may or may not pertain to your structure. The home inspection will be completed within the C.R.E.I.A. (California Real Estate Inspectors Association) Standards of Practice. This document is not legally binding and shall not be referred to as a checklist for your home inspection.