2022 Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers

A home inspection is a critical tool for you to help protect what may be the single largest investment you will ever make. There’s nothing worse than buying a home, and then later finding a number of issues that may be have been easily detected by a trained and highly qualified inspector. If you’re in the final stages of purchasing a home, here’s what you should know about a home inspection.

Why is a home inspection important?

You can expect several small expenses when you’re buying a home. These include application fees, homeowner’s insurance, legal fees, and more. Because you’re already spending so much money upfront, many buyers are tempted to skip a home inspection. Averaging between $350 and $600, a home inspection is a relatively insignificant expense that may help you in the long-run and at the very least give you peace of mind if there are no material issues uncovered during the inspection.

Here are a few reasons why a residential home inspection is worth the investment and the time:

1. It may help you avoid significant expenses later.

Ideally, a home inspection should reveal any major issues with the home. These aren’t things you would normally notice with a routine walk-through, such as a failing HVAC system, improper wiring, structural issues, and more.

2. It may help you create a maintenance plan.

Even if there are no significant issues with the home, you can expect to pay maintenance expenses as long as you live there. Over time, these expenses can add up. A home inspection could help you outline a maintenance schedule, so you can prepare for these costs in advance.

3. It may help identify any safety issues.

A home inspection can uncover safety issues, which may be very costly problems in addition to potential problems associated with the roof. Mold, carbon monoxide leaks, and lead are all significant safety issues that can threaten the health of your household members.

4. It may protect you from a bad deal.

When you sign a contract to purchase a home, you can add a contingency. This is a note that lets the seller know that you only agree to purchase the home if the home inspection meets your expectations.

If the home inspection reveals significant issues, you can choose to void the contract, ask the seller to make necessary repairs, or request a discounted price.

Without a home inspection, you’re buying the home as-is. If any problems arise after the purchase, they’re entirely your responsibility.

Home Inspection Checklist

When you have a home inspection, you can consult this checklist to make sure the most important aspects of your home are covered. This is a full checklist condensed from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Most professional home inspectors will use a checklist very similar to this.

With each item, you’re looking for anything that could cause problems down the road. Any obvious damage should be outlined, but you’re also looking for things that might cause damage later.

ROOF

Covering materials
Gutters
Downspouts
Vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, etc.
General roof structure

EXTERIOR

Exterior wall covering, flashing, and trim
Exterior doors
Walkways and driveways
Stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps
Porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports
Railings, guards and handrails
Eaves, soffits and fascia
Windows
Vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property
Spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails

BASEMENT, FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE, AND STRUCTURE

Foundation
Basement
Crawlspace
Structural Components

HEATING

Heating System
Thermostat

COOLING

Cooling System
Thermostat

PLUMBING

Main water supply shut-off valve
Main fuel supply shut-off valve
Water heater
Fixtures and faucets
Toilets
Sink, tub, and shower drainage
Drain, waste, and vent system
Drainage sump pumps

ELECTRICAL

Service drop
Service conductors and attachment point
Service head, gooseneck and drip loops
Service mast, service conduit and raceway
Electric meter and base
Service-entrance conductors
Main service disconnect
Circuit breakers and fuses
Service grounding and bonding
Switches, lighting fixtures, and receptacles
Ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers
Smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors

FIREPLACE

Visible areas
Lintels above the fireplace openings
Dampers
Cleanout doors and frames

ATTIC, INSULATION, AND VENTILATION

Insulation
Ventilation
Mechanical exhaust systems

DOORS, WINDOWS, AND INTERIOR

Doors and windows
Floors, walls, and ceilings
Stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps
Railings, guards, and handrails
Garage doors and door openers

OPTIONAL SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS

Dishwasher
Garbage disposal
Ranges, cook tops, and oven
Microwave
Trash compactor
Door bell
Sprinkler system
Swimming pool, spa, hot tub, and equipment
Outdoor buildings
Outdoor grill or smoker
Gas supply system
Private water well (This isn't part of a standard test, but click here to learn more.)
Septic system
Whole-house vacuum
Security system
Other appliances or systems

Do home inspectors offer a guarantee?

Though home inspections offer a substantial amount of protection for the home buyer, they generally do not come with a guarantee. There are simply too many factors that can go wrong with a home for a home inspector to take on this amount of liability.

However, some home inspectors may offer a limited guarantee, which is a refund of the money you pay for the actual inspection if you are not completely satisfied with the inspection. Some home inspectors may offer a home warranty with their home inspection services.

How to Find a Home Inspector

While you can certainly use this list to oversee a qualified inspector or perform an inspection yourself, it’s best to hire an expert to conduct the actual home inspection.

Many of these systems, including electrical and plumbing systems, require professional knowledge and expertise that most home buyers simply don’t possess.

A good home inspection may cost you a few hundred dollars, but it’s well worth the investment. Conducting a proper home inspection now may save you thousands of dollars (or more) down the road.

For more information or for help with a new home inspection, click to find a . Alternatively, call (800) 309-6753 or email us at inquiry@wini.com and one of our experts will contact you promptly.

If you need help preparing your home for an inspection, please see our additional guide.

Sources:

Bankrate

International Association of Certified Home Inspectors

Forbes

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