WHAT WE INSPECT
The 11 areas I check
From the roof down to the crawl space. Here's what's covered on a standard inspection, and where the limits are.
From the roof down to the crawl space. Here's what's covered on a standard inspection, and where the limits are.
What a standard inspection covers. Everything here gets photographed for the report.
Shingles, flashing, vents, skylights, gutters, and signs of wear or leaks.
Siding, trim, drainage, grading, walkways, decks, and weatherproofing.
Visible framing, foundation walls, floors, and signs of movement or cracking.
Service panel, wiring, outlets, switches, grounding, and safety devices.
Supply, drain, waste, fixtures, water heater, and visible leaks.
Furnace, heat pump/AC, ducting, filters, and visible system condition.
Insulation levels, ventilation, moisture, and visible roof structure.
Walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, cabinets, and finishes.
Operation, seals, glazing, weatherstripping, and signs of moisture.
Door operation, safety sensors, framing, and electrical.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, GFCIs, handrails, and egress.
An inspection is visual. I look at what can be seen and safely reached — I don't move furniture, take systems apart, or open up walls. If something is blocked, buried, or not safe to get to, it goes in the report as "not inspected," with the reason. The job is to find visible defects and safety issues and give you a sense of what maintenance is coming; it isn't a warranty on the house.
After I'm done you get the report broken down by system, with the findings and what I'd deal with first.