Prepare for a house inspection in precisely the same way that you would prepare for a house showing, just with more diligence. Learn the particular areas included on a house inspection checklist that house inspectors inspect. Make sure that these regions are free of clutter and clearly visible for inspecting. Homeowners who learn this checklist generally fare better than those who do not. In addition, a house contractor spends significantly less time to your property when the homeowner offers simple access to areas which need evaluation.
Structural
Structural components inside the house include the base, basement or crawl space, walls, floors, columns, ceilings, roof structure and attic. Make sure clear visibility to floors inside the house, including bedrooms, closets and storage spaces. Do not let clutter to block the view of cellar walls. Ensure easy access to all living and storage locations. Replace burnt-out light bulbs for clearer visibility.
Exterior and Roofing
Exterior and roof inspection typically includes wall mounted trim and flashing, decks and patios with related functions, outside doors and windows, soffits and eaves, garage door openers as well as the grading of the floor as it relates to drainage away from your home. Make simple repairs to prevent evaluation, such as caulking where the wall meets the concrete base. Caulk around windows, replace worn flashing and substitute trim stops for window panes to prevent negotiations on a house sale. For roofing, replace worn tiles, trim off tree branches hanging too near the roof, caulk around skylights and clean gutters of leaves and debris.
Plumbing, Electrical and HVAC
Areas scrutinized for plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning include drains for water and waste, vent systems, water source and distribution along with hot water heater system and controllers. Other components included are chimneys and related purposes, the principal water shut-off, sump pump, electric wiring and gas source, vents and lines. Clear items in the washer/dryer area, kitchen cooker, water heater and other components that need utilities. Clean bathtub and bathroom, unclog drains, and install smoke detectors in each room, clean dishes in the dishwasher and remove clothing from the dryer and washer.
Interior
The interior section of this checklist contains inspecting the visual interior of the house. Included are ceilings, walls, floors and stairways. Measures, railings and balconies are inspected. Normally, the inspector checks for proper performance of doors and windows and looks for security issues, water damage or the potential harmful existence of microbes. Clean and grout tilesremove stains and make other repairs before the inspector arrives and it may save you future time, difficulty and perhaps even some negotiating bucks.
Insulation and Heating
Home inspectors inspect insulation and ventilation in the loft, kitchen and bathroom. They also search for adequate venting and insulation in base and subfloor places and assess for vapor barriers where required in the cellar or crawl space. If damage is evident in any of these areas, do the repairs before the inspector arrives to save negotiating time and trouble with the buyer.