Buying your dream home is one of the most exciting steps in life.
However, the house-buying process is daunting and involves many steps. This DIY home inspection checklist should help ease your stress.
A proper home inspection is one of the top steps to complete to buy a defect-free home.
A home inspection will help you uncover any damage or defect that can affect your family’s health and the future value of the property.
The home inspection will also help you validate the worthiness of the house you are considering.
While conducting this inspection, you should check the various interior and exterior features and conditions.
You can do the home inspection alone or hire a professional inspector.
You are at the right place if you’ve been wondering what you should check during the inspection.
This article provides the complete home inspection checklist for first-time homebuyers in Canada.
Home Inspection Checklist Guide
It’ll be essential to start the inspection by inspecting the conditions and features inside the house. Check for the following when inspecting your home:
Foundation
Keenly check the home’s foundation, considering the materials the constructors used and its general condition.
Check if the foundation is a slab and if the crawl space or basement allows easy access to a sound plumbing system.
If you notice any shifting or cracking walls, the constructors didn’t settle them properly.
Water intrusion, mould or fungus, dry rot, and broken floor joists are some factors that should make you disqualify the house.
Systems
Any home usually has multiple systems that you need to ensure they’re working correctly.
The systems you’ll need to inspect in the house are:
Heating And Cooling Systems
It’ll be essential to inspect the heating and cooling mechanism of the house.
Check for the proper functioning of the system and any broken or rusting parts.
When inspecting this system, it will be necessary to check the air conditioning and the emergency heat.
You can also check the air filters and the placement of the venting system to ensure the system’s efficiency.
Electrical system
Check for electrical service coming into the home and any electricity panels in the house. It’s also a good idea to inspect the meter’s security and disconnect the leading service.
Furthermore, check the house’s electrical wiring and the main switch points.
You should disqualify any house with an inappropriate electricity system.
Floors
Inspect the floors of the home by assessing their overall conditions.
You should be concerned with any unstable points or slopes on the floor, as they may predispose occupants to falls and injuries.
Take keen note of the finishes on the various floors, such as the tiles, capped, or wood.
It’s good to note any damage to these floor materials as they may cause livability and safety concerns.
Ceilings And Walls
Inspect all the walls and ceilings in the home during this time.
Check for any peeling paint, mould, cracking, water stains, and large holes you might see on the walls you’re inspecting.
The walls’ problems may illustrate more significant underlying issues, such as foundation shifts or roof leaks.
While inspecting the ceiling and roof, check the baseboards and trim for signs of damage or breakage.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, inspect the drawers and cabinets proper functionality; their rails and hinges should be moving smoothly.
The laminate and wood should show no pest attacks or physical damage.
You can also test the usability and efficiency of the kitchen appliances.
Lastly, check if you’re comfortable with the kitchen’s design, the position and condition of the appliances, and the cabinets.
Attic
In the attic, you should check for the condition of the roof underside.
Check for the decking of the roof, the trusses, the rafter, and the joists.
You can also check for the components of the attic systems and ensure they are in good shape.
These components include ductwork, plumbing, and wiring systems.
Any broken ducts will limit the HVAC system’s efficiency, while spliced wires may predispose the occupants to electric shocks.
Windows And Doors
Check for the functionality of all the doors and windows. Ensure that they don’t stick.
The doors and windows should open and close quickly.
The seals of the doors and windows shouldn’t show signs of draft or water stains.
If you want to purchase insurance coverage for the home after purchasing it, it’s a good idea to check the impact rating.
Ensure the doors are not rubbing on the floor or sticking in the jamb when opening or closing.
The seller should provide all the keys for the doors, and they should function well.
Note any damage, breakage, or functionality issues with the doors or windows.
An Inspection Outside The Home
After inspecting the home’s interior, you must also check its exterior before deciding whether to purchase it.
You should check for the following points when inspecting the outside of the house.
Exterior Walls
In the same way as inside the house, check the exterior walls thoroughly to identify any faults.
The exterior siding of the wall should be intact and have at least a six-foot clearance from the ground.
All the materials the constructor used to make the walls, such as the stucco and bricks, should be free from cracks or damage.
Also, check for any peeling paints, illustrating the chances of water damage.
Lot Grading
Check for a slope away from the house, which helps prevent stagnant waters from damaging the home foundation.
Any stagnant water or erosion around the home should raise the alarm on the water drainage.
Remember to inspect the garden and any close-range areas of the house, as proper drainage will be essential, especially during the rainy seasons.
Shrubs And Trees
Check the location and size of trees around the home. The house should have well-trimmed trees at least 8 to 10 feet from its foundations, as their roots may destroy the foundation.
To help prevent or safeguard the home, ensure that the seller has cut the trees and shrubs from its exterior.
Driveways, Decks, And Walkways
Buying a house with unstable or weakened porches and decks is not safe.
Inspect the walkways and driveways to check for any signs of uneven surfaces or cracks.
These cracks might predispose you and your family members to injuries resulting from tripping and falling.
Also, ensure all the outside surfaces are sloping away from the house; this prevents water intrusion into the home.
Roof
You can have a roof inspector help you check the house’s roofing. While checking the roof, ensure the design and types of roofing material meet your requirements.
Check for spaces with missing pieces if it is a tile or shingles roof.
If it is a metal roof, check to ensure it is rust-free, and the wood roofs need to be free from decay.
When checking the roof, it’ll be essential to check the security of the downspouts and gutters.
They should be in a good position, secure, and free from dirt and breakages.
You can also check the roof’s condition from the inside, as any sign of water leakage on the ceiling clearly shows a leaky roof.
It’ll be great to hire a roof inspection expert for this inspection, as it’s a vital aspect of the home inspection.
Garage
If the house has a garage, inspect it to guarantee the safety of your vehicle.
Check if the garage has any foundation cracks or water leakages.
The garage doors should be working smoothly, opening and closing without straining.
Additionally, it’ll be good if the garage has an intact auto-reverse safety feature for the cars.
You can also check the impact rating on the home’s garage door if you want to use it for insurance purposes.
Final Thoughts
A home inspection checklist is the best tool to ensure your home purchasing dilemma goes smoothly and successfully.
During this process, you’ll check if the quality of the home is worth its price tag.
While conducting the inspection, you can unmask certain damages or faults in the house which may cause an alarm.
After realizing this, you can avoid buying the house, negotiate with the seller for a discounted price or allow the owner to make the repairs.
It’ll be essential to consider the above home inspection checklist when buying your house.
A home inspection will help you get a house that suits your needs and avoid the trap of purchasing a deplorable house.
