8 Areas That Are Checked During a Home Inspection

Good inspections create happy home buyers! A home inspection is a vital part of the buying journey today! Getting a home inspection performed by an experienced, licensed professional can help you avoid the headaches of purchasing a home filled with hidden issues. While there’s been a trend of waiving inspections in recent years, the truth is that you don’t want to leave this essential contingency out of your purchase agreement if you’re about to buy a home. Of course, what you’ll learn about a home comes down to what’s checked during an inspection. Here’s a look at eight areas that are checked during any routine home inspection.

1. Structural Elements

This is the most important portion of any home inspection. A professional home inspector evaluates the soundness of a home’s structure by looking at the foundation, floors, walls, stairs, and window alignment. They are looking for telltale signs of sagging and bowing that indicate that a home has severe underlying structural damage that could cost thousands of dollars to repair. When structural damage is uncovered during a home inspection, a buyer can typically back out of the sale without losing their earnest money deposit.

2. Roofing

Home inspectors look closely at roofs to see if any repairs are needed. This includes everything from shingles to flashing. A roof inspection generally also includes the chimney.

3. Electrical Systems

Home inspectors inspect a home’s full electrical system to ensure that everything is up to code. They will also check to confirm that circuit breakers, outlets, fixtures, and other components are in full working order. Any visible wires, loose connections, or other red flags will be cited on the inspection report.

4. Basements and Garages

Home inspections don’t just cover a home’s main living spaces. An inspection report should provide details on the foundation, floors, walls, and windows located in basements and garages. An inspector will also confirm that all electrical work in these areas of the home is safe, fully functional, and up to code.

5. The Home’s Exterior

Home inspectors look at all of the exterior elements of a home. This includes all siding, trim, flashing, doors, and windows. The exterior portion of an inspection also looks at exterior stairs, patios, decks, walkways, and driveways. While pool inspections aren’t considered standard, they can often be added to traditional inspection checklists.

6. Heating and Cooling Systems

A home inspection should cover all aspects of a home’s heating and cooling systems. In addition to confirming the condition of a system, an inspector will also ensure that the thermostat is working. If a home has a fireplace, the inspector will inspect all visible portions.

7. Plumbing Systems

Plumbing is one of the major aspects of a home inspection. First, an inspector will look for any telltale signs of leaks or plumbing issues. Specific components that are inspected include the water heater, toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, drains, waste system, vent system, and valves.

8. Extras

While not standard in all home inspections, details related to air and environmental quality are also important. Consider asking your home inspector to add testing for mold, radon gas, asbestos, and lead paint to your inspection to get the full picture. These extras can be especially important in older homes. However, radon, mold, and other issues can certainly be present in new constructions. You can also consider asking a home inspector to inspect for signs of mice, termites, and other pests that can create the need for costly repairs.

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