Preparing for your Home Inspection

Here are some tips on what a home inspector will be looking at and or noticing.  Remember, inspectors are emotional too, so treat it just like a showing.  Lights on, clean and tidy…so they will be impressed.

This is a wish list…just do your best!

  • Fix little things like handles, knobs and faucets,
  • Thoroughly clean the house.  Inspectors aren’t always looking beyond the mess to the real issues within the home.  A dirty or untidy house gives the impression of uncaring owners and neglected regular maintenance.  Usually the buyers will accompany the home inspector at the inspection and you don’t want them to start to rethink their purchase.
  • Have the home ready on time. – they can take as much as 4 hours.  A good idea is to leave the house at least 30 minutes prior to the home inspection start time.  They will often arrive early to walk around the outside of the property.
  • Keep things connected.  They will inspect heating and cooling systems, plumbing, appliances, faucets, electrical systems and more.
  • Keep pilot lights on
  • Clear workspace around systems such as electrical panels, furnace and water tanks.  Remove boxes, stored items and debris from these area.
  • Attics, garages, sheds, basements and crawl spaces need to be accessible.  This includes accessing inspection hatches for bathtubs, water meters and shutoff valves.
  • Dishwashers, washing machines and dryers should be empty.  They will run the machines to ensure that plumbing, venting and electrical supplies are in working order.
  • Remove trash cans, trim branches and brush, dispose of dead limbs and clear an accessible path around the home.  Cut the lawn and ensure the garden beds look good.
  • Remove soil and mulch from contact with the siding.  Six or more inches of clearance is preferred.
  • Clean debris from the roof and clean out the gutters.
  • Divert all water away from the house…i.e.. downspouts, condensation drains, etc.
  • Trim trees, roots and bushes back from the foundation, roof, siding and chimney.
  • Replace and paint all rotten wood.  Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around the trim, chimney, window and doors.
  • Seal or point up all masonry chimney caps.
  • Point up any falling mortar joints in brick or block
  • Clean or replace HVAC filters.  Clean dirty air returns.
  • Test all smoke detectors to ensure they are in safe working condition.  Replace batteries.
  • Check doors and windows are in proper working order.