Basic Home Inspection Checklist for Free

Basic Home Inspection Checklist

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Instructions ------------------- 1. Answer "Yes", "No", "N/A" for the questions below 2. Add any photos and notes by clicking on the paperclip icon 3. Share your report by exporting as PDF, Word, Excel or Web Link

Grounds

Proper yard drainage away from house

No evidence of standing water

No leaks from septic tanks or leech fields

Yard, landscaping, trees and walkways in good condition

No branches or bushes touching the house or overhanging the roof

Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detaches garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rotted wood

Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure

Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from structure

Downspout drainage directed away from structure

Structure

Side of house appears straight, not bowed or sagging

Window and door frames appear square (especially bowed windows)

Visible foundation in good condition - appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks

Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level

Exterior Surfaces

Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials; no wood-to-earth contact

Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay

Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken, spalling, or flaking components

Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector)

Vinyl or aluminium siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or loose siding

No vines on surface of structure

Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters

No stains on exterior surfaces

Windows, Doors and Wood Trim

Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks, rot or decay

Joints around frames are caulked

No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken double-paned, insulated window seals

Muntin and mullion glazing compound in good condition

Storm windows or thermal glass used

Drip caps installed over windows

Roof

Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over

Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits

Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition

Composition tiles / shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing

Wood tiles / shingles or shakes: no mould, rot or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling

Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/"alligatoring" and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings

Flashing around roof penetrations

No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk

Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains

Attic

No stains on underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations

No evidence of decay or damage to structure

Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house)

Adequate ventilation, clear path into attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational

No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic

No open electrical splices

Interior Rooms

Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level

No stains on floors, walls or ceilings

Flooring materials in good condition

No significant cracks in walls or ceilings

Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, "weep holes" installed

Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware

Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition

Wood trim installed well and in good condition

Lights and switches operate properly

Adequate number of three pronged electrical outlets in each room

Electrical outlets test properly (spot check)

Heating/cooling source in each habitable room

Evidence of adequate insulation in walls

Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined

Kitchen

Water flow in sink adequate

No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes

Built-in appliances operate properly

Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly

Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter ("GFCI") protection for electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink(s)

Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly

No leaks in pipes under sinks

Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay

Bathrooms

Working exhaust fan that doesn't terminate in the attic space

Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures

Sink, tub and shower drain properly

Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition

If sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn't leak

Toilet operates properly

Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base

Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area

Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid

No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower

Miscellaneous

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances

Stairway treads and risers solid

Stair handrails where needed and in good condition

Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles

Basement or Mechanical Room

No evidence of moisture

Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence

Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to foundation with anchor bolts

Insulation at rim/band joists

Crawl Space

Adequately vented to exterior

Insulation on exposed water supply, waste and vent pipes

Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area

No evidence of insect damage

No evidence of moisture damage

Plumbing

Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system

Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house.

Water pump: does not short cycle

Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow

Well water test is acceptable

Hot water temperature between 118 - 125 degrees Fahrenheit or approximately 50 degrees Celcius

Electrical

No aluminum cable for branch circuits

Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected

Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating

Heating/Cooling System

Appears to operate well throughout (good air flow on forced hot air systems)

Flues: no open seams, slopes up to chimney connection

No rust around cooling unit

No combustion gas odour

Air filter(s) clean

Ductwork in good condition

No asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes or air ducts

Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal

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This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.