Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers

A printable home inspection checklist for buyers: choosing an inspector, what a standard inspection covers, what to ask on the day and what to do with the report.

31 steps By Rizwan Ali, software developer Updated September 2026 Free, no sign-up, nothing leaves your device

A home inspection is one of your best chances to learn about a home before you own it. This checklist follows the order of the process: choosing an inspector, what a standard inspection looks at, what to ask on the day, and what to do with the report. Tick each item as you go, or use the print button to take a copy with you. Your progress is saved in your own browser.

The list of systems follows the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) standard of practice. An inspection is a visual review of what is readily accessible. It is not exhaustive, and it does not replace a specialist where one is needed. Inspection rules and habits differ by state, so ask your agent or attorney about your contract.

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Before you book 0 of 5

Choose the inspector and know your deadline.

  1. Contracts usually set a time limit for inspections and for asking for repairs or ending the deal. Ask your agent or attorney what yours says, because missing it can cost you your options.

  2. The CFPB lists scheduling a home inspection as a step in the closing phase, after your offer is accepted. Good inspectors can be booked up, so call as soon as you are under contract.

    CFPB: Closing on your new home

  3. Rules for licensing differ by state. Ask whether the inspector is licensed where required, what standard of practice they follow, whether they carry insurance, and to see a sample report. Choose someone who works for you, not an inspector suggested only by a party who gains from the sale.

  4. Ask what is covered and what costs extra, such as radon, pests, the sewer line, a pool or a deck. A standard inspection covers the main systems listed below.

  5. Being present lets you see problems for yourself, ask questions, and learn how to maintain the home. Ask when the inspector expects to finish, and whether they can walk you through the findings at the end.

What a standard inspection looks at 0 of 10

These systems follow the American Society of Home Inspectors standard of practice. Use them as your list of questions.

  1. Visible and accessible structural components, including the foundation and framing. Look at basement or crawl space walls for cracks and moisture stains, and ask about any past repairs.

  2. Siding, flashing and trim, exterior doors and windows, steps, porches and railings, eaves and soffits, and grading and drainage that could harm the house. Look for water flowing toward the foundation, and for rot or peeling paint.

  3. Roofing materials, roof drainage, flashing, skylights and other roof penetrations. Ask the age of the roof and how the inspector examined it, because they are not required to walk on the roof.

  4. Supply and drain piping, fixtures and faucets, the water heater, and sump pumps. Run the taps and flush the toilets, and check under sinks for stains. Ask the age of the water heater.

  5. The service entrance, main disconnect, grounding, and the inside of the main panel. Ask about outdated panels or wiring, and note any outlets that do not work or flickering lights.

  6. Permanently installed heating and cooling equipment, vents and flues, and the distribution system. Ask the age of the equipment and when it was last serviced. Inspectors do not take a furnace apart.

  7. Walls, ceilings and floors, stairs and railings, counters and cabinets, a representative number of doors and windows, and built-in appliances. Look for ceiling stains and floors that slope, and open and close several windows and doors.

  8. Insulation in the attic and crawl space, ventilation in those spaces, and exhaust fans for the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry. Poor ventilation can lead to moisture problems.

  9. Fuel-burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts, the chimney and the vent. If a fireplace matters to you, ask whether a specialist should look at the chimney.

  10. Garage doors and automatic openers, and other systems that apply to the home. Check that the opener stops and reverses when the door meets an obstruction.

Extras to consider 0 of 5

Not every inspection covers everything. Ask which of these make sense for this home.

  1. A separate test, often offered by inspectors. Ask whether it is worth doing in your area.

  2. Termites and similar pests are often checked by a specialist, and some lenders or states require a report.

  3. If the home has a septic system or a private well, ask for a specialist to test them. For an older home, ask whether the sewer line should be scoped with a camera.

  4. These can be inspected under separate standards. ASHI publishes auxiliary standards for pools and spas and for decks.

  5. If the inspector recommends further evaluation of a roof, foundation, electrical or heating problem, get it from a qualified professional before your deadline.

On inspection day 0 of 5

Get the most out of the visit.

  1. Ask them to point out problems and explain how serious each one is. Take photos and notes.

  2. Roof, furnace and air conditioner, water heater. Age and condition tell you when replacements might come.

  3. Separate safety problems and major defects from routine maintenance, so you do not treat every item as a deal breaker.

  4. The standard covers what is readily accessible and visually observable. If the attic, panel or crawl space is blocked, ask for access to be arranged and for it to be checked.

  5. Where the shut-off valves and main panel are, how to service the heating system and what to check each season.

After the report 0 of 6

Turn the report into a decision before your deadline.

  1. A written report should describe the systems, say which are not working properly, significantly deficient, unsafe or near the end of their useful life, and recommend repair, replacement or further evaluation.

  2. Safety issues and costly defects deserve attention first. Minor items are usually part of owning a home.

  3. Ask qualified tradespeople for estimates, so you can ask for a fair repair, credit or price change.

  4. Depending on your contract and the market, you may ask for repairs, a credit at closing, a lower price, or, if the problems are too big, to end the contract within your deadline. Talk it through with your agent or attorney.

  5. Ask for receipts, and re-check the work at your final walk-through before closing.

  6. Your lender or insurer may ask for it, and it is a useful maintenance guide after you move in.

    Mortgage documents checklist

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Skipping the inspection to win the offer. It can make an offer look stronger, but it leaves you to find expensive problems after you own the home. The CFPB lists an inspection as a step to take before closing.
  • Missing the contract deadline. Your right to ask for repairs or to end the contract usually has a time limit. Know the date and book early.
  • Not going to the inspection. The report alone cannot show you how a problem looks or how serious it is. Being there is the best way to learn.
  • Treating every item as a deal breaker. Nearly every home has a list of findings. Focus on safety and on costly defects, and treat the rest as maintenance.
  • Assuming the inspector checked everything. A standard inspection covers readily accessible, visible parts of the main systems. Extras like radon, pests, sewers and pools are separate.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a home inspector check?

A standard inspection covers the structure and foundation, exterior, roof, plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling, interior, insulation and ventilation, and fireplaces and chimneys, according to the ASHI standard of practice. The inspector reviews the readily accessible, visible parts of these systems and reports on problems.

What is not covered by a home inspection?

An inspection is not a guarantee, and it is not technically exhaustive. For example, inspectors are not required to walk on a roof or take a furnace apart, and they cannot see inside walls or places that are not accessible. Specialist checks such as radon, pests, sewers, septic systems, wells and pools are usually separate.

Is a home inspection the same as an appraisal?

No. An inspection reports on the condition of the home for you. An appraisal estimates the value of the home for the lender. You need to arrange the inspection yourself, and the lender arranges the appraisal.

Should I go to the inspection?

Yes, if you can. Seeing problems in person, asking questions and hearing what is urgent and what is routine is far more useful than reading the report alone.

What if the inspection finds problems?

Depending on your contract and the market, you can ask the seller to make repairs, give a credit or lower the price, or you can end the contract within your deadline if the problems are too big. Get quotes for the important items, and talk to your agent or attorney about your options.

What happens to my progress on this checklist?

It is saved only in your own browser, on this device. We never receive it. Clearing your browser data, or using a private window, will erase it, and it will not follow you to another device. You can print the list to keep a copy.