Moving costs can add up. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, you probably want to save money where you can. But one expenditure you shouldn’t overlook is a home inspection. Purchasing a home is likely the largest expense you’ll spend your hard-earned money on. So, you’ll want to make sure that you’re aware of any major repairs needed for the property. After all, you don’t want to have to make an
What is a home inspection checklist?
A home inspection checklist is basically a report card for your home. Usually done by a certified home inspector, a home inspection is a detailed overview of the home’s condition and includes any visible defects. To the untrained eye, a home may seem “fine”, but a qualified home inspector will pick up on things that an average person would miss. This information is critical when you’re deciding to purchase real estate. Keep reading for a sample homeowners inspection checklist!
Why do you need a homeowners inspection?
A house inspection will tell you if the home you’re buying or selling is up to code (or not). It could save you a lot of money if you want to avoid purchasing a home that will need costly repairs. Or it could give you leverage in the negotiation stage. A home inspection is like the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Because there’s usually more to a home than just a pretty front door.
Are house inspections required in Canada?
In Canada, house inspections generally aren’t mandatory, but they’re strongly recommended. Most potential buyers will include a home inspection condition in their offer. Sellers can also provide a pre-home inspection if they wish.
What can buyers expect from a home inspection?
After a home inspection is complete, you’ll have a better idea of how much it might cost to fix the identified problems (if there are any). And it will help outline what ongoing maintenance is required for the property.
Here’s what you can expect from a home inspection:
- Budget for $400-$600. 1 This upfront cost could save you in the long run by avoiding bigger repairs (and insurance claims) down the road. Keep in mind, you can spend more for additional specialized inspections.
- Plan to spend two to three hours at the home. This is the time to go through every nook and cranny of what could be your new home. You may even decide against moving forward with your offer if you discover that there’s too many pricey repairs that you don’t want to deal with.
- Review both the interior and exterior. The inspector will most likely check interior features like plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation in the laundry room, and any kitchen appliances that come with the purchase. For the exterior, they should look at things like the condition of outside walls, foundation, roof, and the garage.
- Take photos of any damage. While the home inspector will likely take photos and even videos, it’s also a good idea to take some of your own for reference. It can be hard to remember all the areas of the home, so making notes of any damage found during the inspection could help when reviewing the final report.
- Review the report in detail and ask questions. Following the inspection, you should receive a detailed report of the home. If any concerns were raised, you may want to hire an additional specialist to further investigate the areas in question. And it’s important to ask questions, especially if the report is very technical. Getting an explanation will hopefully help clarify next steps.
Home inspection checklist
Even at your first home viewing, you can start to look at areas using this basic home inspection checklist. You’ll become more familiar with your potential home and you’ll be prepared with follow-up questions for the inspector.
Interior home inspection checklist
Kitchen
- Sink drains properly
- Pipes under the sink are dry
- Dishwasher, oven, microwave, and other appliances all work properly
- Countertops and cabinets don’t have damage
Bedrooms
- Walls and ceilings have no cracks or mold or water
- Electrical outlets work
- Lights and light switches work properly
- Doors, closet doors, and ceiling fans work properly
Bathrooms
- Walls and ceilings have no cracks or mold or water
- Shower, sink, and tub drains well
- Proper water pressure and flow in shower and sinks
- Caulking is in good condition
- No cracked or loose tiles
Basement, crawlspace, attic
- No signs of water damage
- No signs of pests or insects
- Proper insulation
- Proper ventilation
- Exposed foundation has no visible cracks
Electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling
- Electrical panels are in good condition
- Visible wiring has no exposed splices
- Visible pipes have no damage or evidence of leaks
- Heaters operate well throughout
- Fireplace(s) are in good working condition
- Water heater has no signs of rust
- Furnace/boiler is no more than 15 years old
- Air filters are clean
- AC unit is no more than 15 years old
- Ductwork is in good condition
Other areas
- Stairs are sturdy and have handrails that are to code
- Smoke detector and carbon monoxide are installed and working correctly
- Windows and doors open and close correctly
- No rot or decay around windows
- Latches and locks are in good condition
- No air leaks around windows
- Garage door open and closes properly
Exterior home inspection checklist
- House walls are level and straight
- Siding or masonry has no cracks or damage
- Visible foundation has no cracks
- Driveway is even with no cracks
- Drainage is directed away from the house
- Sheds and decks are in good condition
- Tree branches do not touch or overhang the roof
- Roof and gutters are not damaged or blocked
- No missing shingles
- No signs of leaks
Once the inspection is complete and you’ve read the report, you can decide if you want to move forward with the purchase (as long as the inspection was included as a contingency in the purchase offer). You can also negotiate that the seller fix certain items before the closing date or ask to reduce the purchase price if you have to do the repairs.
Remember to speak with a home insurance agent or broker before you finalize your home purchase. They’ll be able to go over your coverage needs and recommend the best protection for your new home. Plus, many mortgage companies require proof of insurance before the sale is finalized.
If everything goes smoothly, congratulations are in order! You’re a new homeowner!
House inspection tips for sellers
If you’re selling a home, here are a few key things you can do to ensure a smooth home inspection.
Here are some tips to prepare your home:
- Declutter. Home inspectors can’t move personal belongings. You should clear items away from access panels, crawl spaces, attic hatches, electrical panel boxes, furnaces, hot water tanks and water shut-offs. And if the access panel to a crawl space or attic is in a closet, remove the clothes from that closet or cover them with a sheet. This will protect the clothing from bits of insulation and debris that might fall when the inspector removes the access panel.
- Keep pets away or secured. Overly friendly (or unfriendly) family pets can complicate the inspection process. Sellers should either take pets out of the home or keep them in a contained space during the inspection.
- Ensure all utilities are connected and active. Home inspectors are discouraged from opening any closed electrical breaks, gas or water valves, so it’s the sellers responsibility to do this. Things like having the pilot light lit in a gas fireplace should be done ahead of time by the seller.
- Have paperwork for city permits available. This paperwork may include details on items like knob and tube or aluminum wiring, Kitec or Poly-B plumbing supply lines, or cast-iron drain lines. Include any other safety-related paperwork (if available) for things like railings, guards, and door closers to the garage. Some of these items weren’t an issue 15 to 20 years ago, but they could be an insurance concern and cost more.
If you’re in the market to purchase a new home or if you’re looking to sell your home, it’s definitely a good idea to get a home inspection to avoid any surprises. After all, you want the process to be as smooth as possible! Going through a complete home inspection checklist will give you peace of mind in the long run.
Suzanne Yar Khan is an independent writer and editor with more than a decade of experience in financial, business and lifestyle publications. In her spare time, she enjoys fiction writing, yoga, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.