2024 Home Inspection Checklist (117 Defects To Inspect)

Arie Van Tuijl | Licensed Home Inspector

I am a licensed home inspector and below is my home inspection checklist for buyers that you can download as a PDF file.

In this checklist I go over…

Inspecting the roof
Checking for rotted wood
Operations of windows and doors
Defective plunbing
And more…

Home Inspection Checklist

This home inspection checklist is for new buyers, but it can also be used by sellers, or for maintenance purposes. Use this as a guide to find defects and maintenance items with a home. You can download and print the Home Inspection Checklist PDF right here.

If you are buying a home, you can take this DIY home inspection checklist to do some inspecting on your own along with a professional home inspection. This home inspection list isn’t meant to cover every conceivable problem that a house can present — but use it to spot some common issues.

If you see something that seems weird or unusual — it probably is — and you can take a picture for reference and have a contractor check it out.

missing roof shingles

Structural

Sagging ridgeline
Soft areas

Flashing

Deteriorated or missing flashing around vents, chimney, skylights

Soffit Vents

Soffit Vent (painted over)

Is there soffit venting? Is it in good condition?
Are the soffit vents painted over? (bad for air flow)

Gutters

Should have gentle slope towards downspout
Properly fastened to fascia board
Clogged or need cleaning?
Downspout extensions or splash guards to get water away from home

Exterior Walls

Wood Trim

home inspection tips for sellers

Rotted/deteriorated wood trim (doors, windows, garage etc)

Caulking

Missing caulking around wall penetrations (pipes, wires etc)
Hairline cracks in caulk

Vinyl or Fiber Cement Siding

Damaged siding like holes or cracks
Bowing of siding or not properly installed

Brick/Stone

Deteriorated brick or stone veneer
Deteriorated mortar
Cracking
Bowing

Doors, Windows, Deck

Exterior Doors

Do doors open smoothly and cleanly?
Do the doors lock properly?
There should be 1/2″ to 1″ gap under door for air flow

Windows

how-to-pass-a-home-inspection-2-1

Rotted/deteriorated window sills are common
Windows should be properly caulked
Are the windows cracked?
Are the window drain channels is good condition?
Do the windows have broken thermal seals? (Cloudy appearance)
Rusted lintels (metal span above window)
Old single paned windows (poor energy efficiency)

Deck

Loose railings
Missing/loose railing along stairs to deck
Loose or warped deck boards
Ledger board missing proper lag bolts (or rusted bolts)
Missing ledger board flashing

Grounds

Lot

Lot should have sloping grade away from the home (ground should NOT slope towards foundation)
Shouldn’t be any holes or depressions on the lot that present trip hazards or collects water

Walkways & Driveway

Walkways that are lifting up are a trip hazard
Driveway cracking and seal coat deterioration

Trees And Shrubs

There shouldn’t be any dead trees (or dangerous limbs) on property
Tree limbs should be trimmed back away from home at least several feet
No decent sizes trees should be close to the home (roots may damage foundation)
All bushes and shrubs should be trimmed away from home at least 1-2 feet
No holes presenting trip hazards

Electrical System

Outlets are GFCI connected
Do exterior lights turn on?

Interior Part of Home Inspection

The interior part of the home inspections consists of inspecting the bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, HVAC system, attic, and electrical system.

Bathrooms

Toilet

Are the toilets loose at the base?
Toilets flush properly (and no weird noises)

Sink

Sink hot and cold water works
Sink isn’t slow to drain
Sink is secure to wall

Drywall

No soft drywall areas especially next to bathtub
There should be any mold in the corners
No soft areas along tile wall
Cracked tiles

Exhaust fan

Bathroom exhaust fan is working and has suction
Outlet should be wired correctly and is GFCI connected (hit test button)

Plumbing System

Branch pipes are blue/gray polybutylene piping (recalled & defective)
Main water line may also by defective polybutylene
Low water pressure
Signs of pipe leaks or deterioration
Old galvanized supply or drain pipes may be highly deteriorated on inside

Interior Doors

Do interior doors open and close smoothly?
Do they lock correctly?
There should be a gap underneath doors for air flow

Windows

Do the windows open smoothly?
Can the windows be locked?
Are the thermal seals intact?
Glass cracks

Electrical System

Outlets

Are the outlets wired correctly?
Is there power?
For old homes, are all of the outlets grounded?

Panel Box

Has the model/brand been recalled?
Undersized or oversized breakers
Defective aluminum wiring

Bedrooms

Light Fixtures

Do the lights work?
Do stairways have 3-way switching?

Closet

Do closets doors work properly?

Wall

Deteriorated paint
Soft areas
Bowing of wall

Kitchen

Does over turn on and get to 500F?
Do burners turn on properly?
Does microwave work?
Are kitchen outlets GFCI connected and working? (hit test button)
Is icemaker and water dispenser working?
Does garbage disposer work?
Is sink leaking? (Open cabinet and check underneath)
Does range hood turn on with adequate suction?
Does dishwasher work and not leak?
Is countertop properly secured?

Garage

Does garage door opener work without loud sounds?
Does laser reverse safety mechanism work?
Does garage door reverse when it hits object?
Are outlets in garage GFCI and working?

Smoke And Carbon Monoxide

Is there a smoke detector in each room and one on each level?
Is there a carbon monoxide alarm on each level if there are gas appliances?

Attic

Is there insulation at least several inches above top of ceiling joists?
Evidence of water leaks on roof sheathing
Signs of mice or other animals like holes in insulation (urine or feces on insulation)
Is the ridge vent clear of obstructions?
Is the soffit venting clear of insulation? (Never cover attic soffit vents with insulation)
Mold on sheathing or trusses

mold on roof truss

HVAC System

Mold on air vent covers?
Is the A/C cooling properly?
Is the furnace, heat pump, or boiler adequately heating?
When was the last time HVAC was serviced?
Is the interior of furnace or heat pump clean of dust and mold?
What is the age of HVAC system? (life expectancy is 15-20 years typically)

Crawlspace

Evidence of damaged, deteriorated, or termite infested wood?
Columns aren’t properly supported
Signs of water infiltration
Is the crawlspace encapsulated?
Missing vapor barrier
Signs of rodents
Is crawlspace properly ventilated?
Is it properly insulated?

Meet Your Home Inspector Secrets Author

Arie Van Tuijl | Licensed Home Inspector

Hey, I'm Arie and I created this site. I am a licensed home inspector in Virginia and Maryland. I'm here to help you maintain, inspect, and renovate your home! I have seen many house defects over the years and saved my clients hundreds of thousands of dollars. And that's why I am your guide on the intricacies of home maintenance, saving money, and avoiding costly mistakes.