HOME INSPECTIONS – DONE RIGHT!
Many of my clients call and ask what is included in their home inspection – and it is a valid question! You want to make sure that you are covered and that everything is covered to the best extent possible.
We abide by Illinois’ and InterNACHI’s Comprehensive Standards of Practice for Home Inspectors – which is very thorough.
When it comes down to it, there are too many components and items that we inspect to enumerate. This is because we work hard to be the most thorough home inspectors in the area.
But to help our clients understand the basics of what we inspect, the list below gives you a glimpse as to what is covered in your home inspection. Have questions? Contact us and I will be happy to help!
Roof Covering
- We walk roofs to inspect them. Some common-sense exceptions would be unsafe roofs, snow-covered, etc.
- Gutters and roof drainage systems.
- Flashing.
- Skylights, roof caps, roof vents, plumbing vents, and other roof penetrations are inspected.
Chimney, Fireplaces
- Chimney
crowns - Chimney walls
- Chimney flashing
- Fuel-burning fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts.
- Fuel-burning accessories installed in fireplaces
Exterior
Wall coverings - Windows
- Doors
- Decks
- Balconies
- Stoops
- Steps
- Porches
- Guardrails
- Drainage and grading that is likely to affect the building
- Retaining walls
- Vegetation that is likely to affect the building
- Walkways
- Patios
- Driveways
- Foundation walls
- Vent terminals and air intakes
- Exterior faucets
Basement / Foundation / Structure
- Foundation walls
- Basement floor
- Crawl spaces
- Sump Systems, including the sump basket, sump pump, sump cover, and extension piping.
- Floor structure (posts, beams, joists, etc.)
- Basement insulation
- Signs of basement moisture
Electrical
- Exterior electrical components, including the service drop, service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.
- The main panel and any subpanels.
- Service grounding
- Interior electrical components, including the majority of outlets, switches, and lights.
- Ground fault circuit interrupters
- Arc fault circuit interrupters
- Smoke and CO alarms
Plumbing
- Drain, waste, and vent pipes
- Water distribution pipes
- The visible portion of the water main, which is the water supply pipe that brings water into the home
- Water heaters
- Water heater vents.
- Floor drains
- Sinks
- Toilets
- Tubs
- Showers
- Gas lines.
- Main gas and water valves
Heating
- Installed heating equipment such as furnaces, boilers, and space heaters.
- Furnace filters
- Ductwork
- Registers
- Vent connector and vent
- Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) or Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)
Cooling
- Central and permanently installed cooling equipment
- Temperature difference testing is used to determine if cooling equipment is operational
- Condensate disposal
Interior
- Ceilings
- Walls
- Floors
- Doors
- Windows
- Skylights
- Stairs, handrails, and guards
- Counters and cabinets
- Vent fans
Attic
- Framing and sheathing
- Exhaust fans and ducts
- Insulation
- Ventilation
Garage
- Overhead doors
- Garage door openers
- Doors, stairs, walls, floor, electrical, and more