House Inspection Checklist
House Inspection Checklist For New Home Buyers
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House Inspection Checklist
Structural Inspection
Wall structure
Floor structure
Roof structure
Ceiling structure
Foundation
Crawl space
Exterior Features
Deck
Siding
Trim
Flashing
Balconies
Steps
Guardrails
Porches
Vents
Interior scructure
Wall structure
Floor structure
Roof and ceiling structure
Crawl space
Foundation
Garage
Garage door and any door motors
Garage entry to house
Fire separation wall
Laundry
Washing machine
Hoses
Dryer duct
How water service
Connectors and water shut-off valve
Fuel lines
Gas pipes
Interior
Windows - sashes, insulation, trim, screens
Fireplace/s - bricks, mortar, chimneys
Kitchen appliances - extractor fan
Central heating
Central heating operation
Return-air compartment and filter
Grill and registers
Over heating systems
Water heating
Water heater type
Water heater age
Air Conditioning
Cooling method
Cooling age
Compressor
Condensing fan
Coil
Grounds
Trees
Plants and Shrubs
Driveway
Retaining walls
Surface drainage
Eaves
Fascias
Soffits
Roofing
Material
Access and limitations
Roofing materials
Chimney
Plumbing
Vent materials and drain waste
Supply pipe and water distribution
Water main location
Gas main location
Kitchen fixtures
Taps
Drainage
Mould
Rangehood or Exhaust fan
Bathroom fixtures
Drains
Sink faucet valves
Bath
Shower
Toilet
Exhaust fans
Electrical
Main panel - Circuit breakers
Main panel - Service panels
Subpanels
Overcurrent protection devices
Ground fault circuit interrupters
Random lighting fixtures and wiring
Outlets
Outlets
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide alarms
Exterior lights
Exterior outlets
Garage wiring
Attic
Access
Exhaust fans and ducts
Insulation
Vapour barrier
Basement
Insulation
Vapour barriers
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After weeks or even months of house-hunting you've narrowed your decision down to a number of suitable options. By now you will have some idea of what you are looking for but want to be certain that you are making the right decision. Questions that you may be asking yourself are:
How do I initially inspect a property effectively?
Do I need to seek a professional’s opinion?
How do I find a reputable Building Inspector?
Whether you're on the fence about which home to buy, or if you have already made up your mind, it is important to perform certain inspections before buying a house. Often when walking through a home for the first time it’s easy to be dazzled by the white walls, clean spaces and neatly placed furniture as well as its location and size.
This is why it is important to engage with a professional Building Inspector to perform a professional property inspection before you put your hand up at auction and have the winning bid.
Pro Tip: It is always a good idea to visit a potential home several times at different times of the day before you sign on the dotted line. This will give you a good feel for the home as well as the neighbourhood at all hours and you may become aware of different things at different times of the day.
Pre-buy home inspections, what the experts look for?
Before you put in an offer on a property, perform your own visual inspection of the property. During this inspection you may become aware of items you would like the seller to repair before you purchase the property. It will also give you a good idea what the Building Inspector should be looking for and cover off in the inspection report.
Potential issues that you should look for inside the home include:
Structure
Sagging ceilings
Gaps around window and door frames
Cracks and slants in floors
Fine cracks in the internal wall plastering
Large cracks in the walls
Deflections and straightness of external roof tiles
Rust on the inside edges of roof gutters
Dangling wires
Loose wires
Any signs of asbestos
Puddles on lawns
Also ensure that there are stormwater soakwells into which downpipes discharge .
Bathrooms/Kitchen
Corrosion or water stains in sinks, baths and showers
Mould or mildew in the kitchen or bathrooms
Electrical
Do the electrical switches work?
Are the outlets grounded?
What is the condition of the panel?
Plumbing
Are there puddles on the lawn or paving?
Do you hear noises when you use the plumbing?
Appliances
If appliances are included, check the condition of the:
Fridge
Dishwasher
Stove
Sounds and Odours
As you move around inside and outside the property, take note of any unusual sounds or odours.
Is it temporary or permanent?
Can it be rectified?
Musty odours could indicate rising damp, which could lead to costly issues.
Professional Inspections When Buying a House
A buyer’s agent should request formal inspections when buying a house on your behalf. You can also hire a builder to do a building inspection for you. . The formal building inspection is probably the last opportunity you will have to learn exactly what you could be up for where the condition of the home is concerned.
Why you should book a professional inspection when buying a property
There is much more to a property inspection than meets the eye. When buying a property, especially your first, it is easy to be so excited that you overlook important issues. A property inspection can help you:
Avoid costly issues down the road: A building inspection may highlight potential structural problems that may end up costing you a lot of money if they go unnoticed.
Open up negotiations with the seller: A property inspection performed before you buy can provide you with additional information and insight that may help you in negotiating the purchase price of the home. The real estate agent may include a term in the contract that allows you to break the deal if the results from the property inspection comes back with major problems.
Inspection reports can give you greater bargaining power: Information regarding the condition of the property can help you navigate the negotiation of the seller's repairs. If the seller does not want to complete repairs highlighted in the property inspection report, you can request estimates for the repairs and negotiate with the seller to have those costs deducted from the total selling price.
Property inspections are a crucial step in the home buying process as they can help to identify areas of concern that can be used to compile a list of what needs to be repaired or potentially replaced. . You can then use this information to potentially negotiate with the seller on having these things rectified or you may decide not to proceed with the purchase of the property, potentially saving you from issues down the track.
Moving out from a rental? Checkout our rental inspection checklist to help get your bond back!
How to find a building inspector
It is important to hire a professional, licensed inspector to conduct inspections when buying a property. Your agent may recommend one or more Building Inspectors and you can also search for one online. Reviews and forums can be potential indicators of quality and client testimonials about their own experience with a Building Inspector or agency.
Here are some of the things you should look for when hiring a Building Inspector. You should be able to find the information on their websites.
Client testimonials: All one-star reviews are telling, as are all five-stars. Don't let a few 3-star reviews throw you off - even the best service providers deal with disgruntled clients from time to time. Also look at the amount of real estate agent reviews versus reviews from home buyers.
Number of years in business.
Qualifications: Check whether they have home inspection experience and not only industry experience.
Feel free to enquire about anything that is not listed on the website, and ask for a sample property inspection report. A quality report should contain a breakdown of every aspect of the property and a rating as to whether something is:
A concern
A major concern
Unacceptable
And possibly recommendations as to whether an item has to be repaired or replaced
Pro Tip: Look at the different items the inspector typically looks at. The more comprehensive the sample report, the more thorough an evaluation you can expect. A good report will provide clear details about a problem, an explanation of the significance of not repairing, and recommendations regarding the best course of action to take. Property Inspection reports should not contain suggestions for further evaluation and inspections by another licensed contractor.
Attending the open for inspection
On the day of the inspection, the real estate agent may also attend to ensure the inspection is sufficiently completed. In some cases, the seller's agent will also be on hand to answer questions from the inspector. The inspection may take a few hours, and you do not want to rush it.
The inspector will probably bring along protective gear to enter crawl spaces, so you may not want to go in there, but you can follow them everywhere else. He or she should take lots of photographs which will be included in the report.
Key takeaways regarding a house inspection
It is important to note what property inspections do and don't involve. A Building Inspector should use some basic tools to check and test various parts of the home. As a professional, their years of experience and qualifications enable them to reasonably observe and make educated recommendations regarding the condition of the property. They cannot see inside pipes and behind walls, but they may note issues that signal concerns and may therefore include a plumbing inspection or pest inspection.
Ultimately, the property inspection report gives you peace of mind in knowing exactly what you are getting into. A property is a major investment - one that you may only make once in your lifetime. By following the recommendations on this inspection list for buying a property before you sign on the dotted line, you may be able to avoid costly and unforeseen problems or negotiate a better price with the seller.
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