Clear Lists
Get the app →
Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers
A walkthrough for buyers, outside in and top down, with what to ask the inspector.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
Saved in this browser. Send it to Clear to keep it on your phone.
A professional home inspection typically takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the home's size and condition, says ICA School. Most inspectors work outside-in and top-down: the exterior first, then the roof and garage, then inside from the attic down to the basement or crawlspace. This list borrows that idea for your own walkthrough, so you show up with specific questions instead of a vague worry. Don't climb or poke at anything that doesn't look safe. A licensed inspector has the tools and training to spot problems most homeowners would miss, so think of this as the prep. It leaves out repair costs and what to ask the seller for.
Why these items are on the list
- Check drainage around the house. Water should drain away from the house, with no standing water. Check downspouts too.
- Look for branches over roof. Branches touching or hanging over the roof are a flag.
- Inspect the foundation. Look for cracks or crumbling, soggy or sunken ground at the edge, and a tree close by.
- Check siding and trim. Cracked siding, flaking paint and rotting trim all go on your list for the inspector.
- Test doors and windows. Doors should open easily and lock. Windows need intact glass and no drafts or moisture at the edges.
- Ask when the roof was replaced. Also look for sagging, missing shingles or moss. ICA School says no more than two layers of roofing.
- Check gutters and chimney. Gutters shouldn't sag or rust. Chimneys should be straight, with no damaged bricks.
- Look in the attic. Check for stains around roof penetrations, water damage, ventilation and insulation.
- Flip every light switch. Switches should work in every room. Inspectify says three-prong outlets are grounded, and two-prong ones aren't.
- Note the electrical panel type. Is it a fuse box or circuit breaker? Mention anything that looks overheated to your inspector.
- Count exits in each bedroom. Inspectify's walkthrough asks whether each bedroom has two ways out, doors or windows.
- Run every tap and flush. Check water pressure, drains and the base of the toilet, and look under the sinks for leaks.
- Check kitchen fan and outlets. ICA School's checklist wants the exhaust fan venting outside, and GFCI protection on outlets within 6 feet of the sink.
- Find the water heater. Check its age, that it works, and that it isn't leaking.
- Ask how heat and cooling work. Gas or electric heat? Central air or window units? Check that air filters are clean too.
- Test smoke and CO detectors. Smoke detectors should work, and carbon monoxide detectors need to be where required.
- Check the basement or crawlspace. Look for moisture, standing water, stains and foundation cracks. Crawlspaces should be vented.
- Note any odd smells. Write down exactly where. Inspectify says pests, gas leaks and mold usually show up to your nose first.
- Check appliances in the sale. Note their condition and ask which ones stay with the house.
- Write questions for your inspector. Tell them about the crack, puddle or smell you spotted. It puts those on their radar.
- Book your own inspector. Inspectify advises you book it yourself and not waive it; seller-agent picks may overlook issues.
- Ask about radon and sewer scope. Neither is part of a standard inspection, though ICA School strongly recommends both.
- Hire a certified inspector. ICA and Inspectify both treat your walkthrough as prep. A licensed professional catches what you'd miss.
Walk the house with your phone in hand and tick as you go, so the notes you bring the inspector aren't from memory. If you're buying with a partner, you can each take different rooms.
When to use it
Use it at a showing or second visit, before you book the professional inspection.