The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist This checklist is not meant to take place of a professional home inspection and does not contain every aspect of a home inspection. Use the checklist as a guide and book a trustworthy professional home inspector using the Redfin Open Book Directory. Structure tes Under-floor crawlspace Attic Foundation Floor structure Wall structure Ceiling structure Roof structure A home inspector is not required to: Provide engineering or architectural analysis Offer insight or opinions on adequacy of structural systems Enter crawl spaces that have less than 24 inches of vertical space Exterior tes Condition of walls and siding
Doors Decks, balconies, porches, and railings Eaves, soffits, and fascias Landscaping Roof structure Grading drainage Walkways Patio Driveway Screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories Fences, boundary walls, and similar structures Geological and soil conditions Outbuildings other than garages and carports Seawalls and docks Roof tes Roof materials Drainage system Skylights Chimney
Interiors of vent systems, flues, and chimneys that are not readily accessible Any installed accessories Plumbing tes Water supply Water heating equipment and energy source Drain, waste, and vent systems Water fixtures Sewage ejectors, piping, sump pumps Fuel storage and distribution systems Location of main water and fuel shut off valves Washing machine connections Renewable water heating systems Sprinkler systems related to fire or irrigation Wells, well pumps, or water storage equipment
Electric tes Service entrance conductors Visible wiring Service panel Service grounding Presence of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors The predominant branch circuit wiring method Renewable energy systems Test smoke or carbon monoxide alarms Heating/Cooling System tes Condition of all heating equipment Condition of all cooling equipment Vent system, chimney, flues Air flow and distribution system throughout home asbestos in air ducts or gas odor
Heating/cooling source in each room Air filter Interiors of vent systems Electric air cleaning and sanitizing devices Interiors tes Walls, floors and ceilings Windows and exterior/indoor doors open and close properly and are not damaged Windows and screen condition Skylights Garage vehicle doors and operators Installed ovens, ranges, microwaves, dishwashing machines, and food waster grinders function Flooring materials evidence of moisture Wallpaper, paint or other finishes Window treatments Floor coverings Central vacuum system Appliance thermostats
Insulation and Ventilation tes Insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces Ventilation of foundation and attic areas Kitchen and bathroom exhaust systems Washing machine and dryer exhaust systems Insulation in unfinished spaces Fireplaces and Chimneys tes Fuel-burning fireplaces and stoves Fuel-burning accessories installed in fireplaces Chimneys and vent systems Interiors of vent and chimney systems that are not accessible Mantles and fireplace surroundings Get more of your questions answered in our home inspection checklist post and on Redfin.com!