The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist
What is a home inspection?
The Home Inspectors Association BC states that “A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive, visual examination of the current condition of a residential building… designed to report observed deficiencies within specific systems and components of a home. A home inspection provides a description of the condition of the home based on the... visible and apparent condition of the structure….”
Sometimes, when we’re looking for a new home, we tend to get a superficial glance at all the beautiful aspects of it. Maybe the stunning maple tree out front caught your eye or the wood-burning fireplace gives you “let’s roast chestnuts at Christmas” kind of vibes.
While a quick glance might make you feel warm and fuzzy, you won’t always get the full picture from the person selling the house, whether that’s the homeowner or the agent in charge of the property. That tree might be about to drop a branch on your 18-year-old roof and that fireplace might be less warm and cozy and more of a fire hazard.
Buying a home is a massive investment and one of the biggest decisions a person can make in their lifetime. That’s why a proper home inspection is always recommended before you move in.
How to prepare for a home inspection
Usually, there are three things that you should prepare for before doing a home inspection at your (potential) new home:
1. Use a home inspection checklist
When you’re inspecting the new house, you want to cover all the necessary items. But don’t waste time analyzing items you’ve already checked. Head to the bottom of this guide for a PDF checklist that you can download to take with you to the inspection.
2. Bring a trusted companion along for the inspection
Nobody can spot all the issues by themselves. We recommend bringing a friend, partner or family member along with you for the inspection. Someone who’s built a wood deck, knows the difference between copper and aluminum wiring and isn’t afraid to crawl around in the attic and look for signs of critters. That kind of person.
If you miss anything, your companion can also look out for necessary items on the checklist. It’s also nice to have a second set of ears. Plus, don’t be afraid to ask your companion to take notes to refer back to later.
3. Make sure to hire a professional inspector
Using a qualified home inspector will give you peace of mind in the long term. Their job is to look at houses and ensure that everything is in working order. In BC, home inspectors must legally hold a license with the province and you may request to see it to ensure it’s up-to-date. They also have to pass a certification exam and go through training.
But, they don’t have to be a member of the Home Inspectors Association BC, CanNACHI, or CAHPI—much like how not every real estate agent is a Realtor. These organizations have their own standards for their inspectors, including continuing education requirements and following a code of ethics.
Regardless of what organization they belong to, choose a legally licensed inspector with a good reputation known for producing readable, thorough reports quickly. Don’t be tempted to pick the most affordable, either. If you cheap out now, it may come out far more expensive later. Consider multiple candidates, ask friends who recently bought their own homes which inspector they used and read consumer reviews.
Home inspections are not graded pass or fail. Rather, the inspector will give you a report with a deficiency list. This list contains the problems the inspector found with your house. That might include anything from missing smoke alarms to major foundation cracks. Read it carefully. You’ll have to approve it as part of your subject removal process, so ensure you request it’s detailed and includes photos.
Ask clarifying questions if you’re unsure of anything. An inspector may recommend additional investigations by further qualified professionals, such as foundation experts, plumbers and electricians.
It’s ultimately your job to determine how much the findings matter, though. Your inspector will not tell you whether you should or should not buy a home. That’s up to you.
But remember that highlighting minor items (like chipping paint or scuffs and scrapes) is not the best way to renegotiate your offer. And if you’re doing an inspection on an older home, don’t be surprised by a long deficiency list. Inspections take place during subject removal, after all, and give you the chance to find major problems that may call off the deal. Otherwise, accept that your inspector will likely find minor things that need fixing or renovating a little later—it’s all part of buying a home
Common home inspection problems
It’s wise to arm yourself with knowledge of common problems before attending your home inspection. Work with your buyer’s agent to make sure you cover everything that matters to you. When there, pay special attention to potential safety concerns. That way, you can contribute, along with the inspector.
And dress for the weather, because you’ll be outside for part of the day.
1. Roofing issues
A roof is probably one of the most important aspects of a house, since it protects everything inside from the elements and gives us a sense of comfort and security.
Unfortunately, roofing issues are very common and costly to repair. A roof that’s been replaced in the last few years is ideal, otherwise you’ll need to budget for its replacement.
A new roof in Canada is estimated to cost at least $2.75 per square foot for a new roof (including materials and installation). That’s the low-end estimate for an asphalt shingle roof, which is the cheapest material. They can run much more expensive than that, so be warned.
2. Issues with the house’s foundation
With a roof over your head, you’ll be protected from rain, sunshine and snow. However, if your home’s foundation is shaky, then it stands a chance of collapsing in on itself—or, at least, requiring costly repairs.
When you’re going through the house, there are certain signs of a poor foundation to notice when doing the inspection, such as cracks in plaster walls, a basement wall crack that extends from floor to ceiling, doors that stick, sagging floors, pooling water near a slab foundation or a wet crawl space after precipitation falls.
There are some signs that are less subtle, too, such as strange smells coming from the basement or uncomfortable indoor humidity. Sometimes signs of foundation problems are not immediately associated with foundation damage and go unnoticed by the untrained eye. So, remember to hire a reputable inspector and trust their judgement.
3. Plumbing, heating and electricity
When we look at a home, we normally analyze the foundation, the walls and the exterior. But also it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Beneath the exterior lies a maze of wiring and pipes that ensure that you’ll have heat, electricity and water.
When a home inspection is done, often major issues lie in these areas, because they are not apparent to the blind eye. That’s why an inspector may recommend you consider bringing in an expert—like a plumber, electrician or HVAC professional—to get their approval before purchasing the house. They can go beyond what a typical inspector can do and give you more detailed information.
Click to download the Checklist:
home inspection checklist a
Information obtained from rew.ca and Zak Khan