Home Inspection Checklist For Buyers (2026)

Use these 52 prompts to prepare for inspection day, ask better questions and decide which findings need qualified follow-up.

How To Use This Checklist

Use this as a question list before and during a professional inspection. It does not replace a licensed inspector, engineer, electrician, plumber or other qualified specialist. Record what was observed, ask what remains inaccessible or uncertain, and get local written estimates only after a qualified person confirms the scope.

Exterior & Site (12 prompts)

Does the ground slope away from the foundation?: Ask the inspector to note low spots, erosion and places where water could collect near the home.
Is there standing water near the foundation?: Document the location and recent weather; the cause may require drainage or foundation follow-up.
Are gutters secure and downspouts discharging away from the home?: Look for loose sections, overflow marks and discharge that returns water toward the foundation.
Are branches contacting the roof, siding or service lines?: Note rubbing, blocked access and any work that should be assessed by a qualified tree professional.
Do drives and walks show displacement or trip hazards?: Record where movement is visible and whether drainage or soil conditions may be contributing.
Is the deck attachment visible and sound?: Ask whether the ledger, flashing, posts, guards and stairs warrant a specialist evaluation.
Are window wells clear and draining?: Check for debris, damaged covers and signs that water has entered the basement.
Are foundation cracks or movement visible?: Photograph the pattern and width; horizontal, displaced or changing cracks deserve qualified evaluation.
Does siding show bulges, soft spots or failed finishes?: Ask whether the condition suggests trapped moisture, impact damage or routine maintenance.
Do windows show failed seals or damaged frames?: Fogging, decay and difficult operation can help define repair scope but do not diagnose the cause alone.
Does the chimney appear stable and weather-tight?: Note leaning, damaged caps, open joints and deteriorated masonry for specialist review.
Can the visible roof be checked safely from the ground?: Look for missing, lifted or heavily worn materials; do not climb the roof unless qualified.

Roof & Attic (8 prompts)

What roof material and installation date can be documented?: Ask for permits, invoices or warranties instead of inferring remaining life from age alone.
Is daylight visible through the roof deck?: Ask the inspector to distinguish an opening from an active leak and document the surrounding material.
Is attic insulation reasonably even and appropriate for the climate?: Depth alone is not a full energy assessment; note gaps, compression and blocked ventilation.
Do bath and kitchen exhaust ducts terminate outdoors?: Warm, moist air should not be discharged into an attic or concealed cavity.
Are there stains, wet materials or active moisture?: A stain records past moisture but does not prove an active leak; ask how the condition was tested.
Are attic intake and exhaust paths present and unobstructed?: Ventilation needs depend on the roof assembly; ask about blocked soffits or altered vents.
Is flashing intact at roof penetrations and transitions?: Ask the inspector to document damaged or missing flashing and any evidence of water entry.
Is there evidence of animals or entry points?: Record droppings, nesting and openings without disturbing suspect material.

Major Systems (15 prompts)

What furnace or heating-system age and service history are documented?: Age is context, not a diagnosis; operation, condition and professional service findings matter more.
What cooling-system age and service history are documented?: Ask what could be operated safely under current weather conditions and what remains untested.
What water-heater age, fuel and condition are documented?: Look for leaks, corrosion, unsafe venting and missing safety components.
Is the electrical service capacity documented?: An electrician should determine whether the service and panel suit planned loads or upgrades.
Are the panel manufacturer and model recorded?: Do not rely on a brand name alone; ask a licensed electrician to assess suspect equipment and installation.
Is ground-fault protection present where required?: Requirements vary by location and installation date; ask an electrician about unsafe or outdated conditions.
What branch-wiring materials are visible?: Older wiring is not diagnosed by age alone; document accessible materials and obtain an electrician's assessment.
What supply and drain pipe materials are visible?: Ask about active leaks, corrosion, prior repairs and materials that may need specialist review.
Is the main water shutoff accessible and operable?: Have the owner or qualified professional demonstrate it when appropriate; do not force a stuck valve.
Has the sewer lateral been evaluated when risk factors warrant it?: A general inspection usually cannot see inside the line; discuss a scope based on age, symptoms and local conditions.
Does the sump system operate and discharge appropriately?: Ask how it was tested, where it discharges and whether backup power is present.
Are service records available for major equipment?: Missing records create uncertainty but do not by themselves prove poor maintenance.
Is the HVAC filter accessible and correctly installed?: Note size, condition, airflow direction and any unsafe access limitations.
Are smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms present in appropriate locations?: Confirm current local requirements and test or replace alarms as recommended by the manufacturer.
Does the dryer exhaust terminate outdoors?: Look for crushed, disconnected or improper ducting and excessive lint.

Interior & Moisture (10 prompts)

Are musty odors or visible microbial growth present?: Odor alone does not identify a source; document the area and look for moisture conditions.
Are ceiling or wall stains present?: Ask whether moisture readings or current conditions support an active-leak finding.
Do doors and windows operate normally?: Widespread sticking can justify closer review, but a single binding door is not a structural diagnosis.
Do floors show noticeable slope, bounce or damage?: Record the location and pattern; a specialist may be needed to determine cause and significance.
Are wall or ceiling cracks displaced, wide or changing?: Photograph concerning patterns and ask whether structural evaluation is appropriate.
Are wet-area finishes and floors sound?: Look for failed sealant, loose finishes, softness and staining around tubs, showers and toilets.
Are basement walls and floors dry at the time of inspection?: Note weather, drainage conditions, stains and mineral deposits; a dry visit does not rule out seasonal water.
Is the crawl space accessible, dry and separated from soil as designed?: Ask about standing water, damaged vapor barriers, pests and inaccessible areas.
Do kitchen and bath exhaust fans move air outdoors?: Verify operation and termination without assuming airflow from sound alone.
Which included appliances were operated and which were not tested?: Record model information, observed operation and the inspection's stated limitations.

Specialty Checks To Discuss (7 prompts)

A general home inspection has scope limits. Whether an additional specialist is useful depends on the home's age, systems, location, symptoms and the inspector's findings.

Sewer lateral scope: Discuss when there are drainage symptoms, older piping, mature trees or other local risk factors.
Radon measurement: EPA recommends testing homes for radon; follow the device instructions and current local transaction rules.
Wood-destroying organism inspection: Discuss visible damage, moisture, regional pest risk and any lender or transaction requirements.
Moisture or mold assessment: Consider qualified follow-up when there is visible growth, persistent odor or a documented moisture source.
Chimney inspection: Discuss the appropriate inspection level when a fireplace or fuel-burning appliance will be used.
Lead-based paint risk assessment: Pre-1978 housing requires federal disclosure; testing or risk assessment is a separate decision.
Buried fuel-tank review: Discuss records, local history and specialist screening where an underground tank may exist.

Turn Flags Into Verified Next Steps

For each flagged prompt, save the inspector's wording and photo, note what was not observed, identify the right qualified specialist, and get a written local scope before assigning a budget or negotiation value. The interactive buyer checklist keeps progress on this device and provides a clearer handoff into HomeScore.

Sources and scope

These sources support the limited safety and disclosure guidance above. They do not establish a repair diagnosis or local price.

Need a checklist you can complete?

Use the reviewed 32-item interactive buyer checklist to save progress on this device, print a PDF and carry findings into your next HomeScore step.

Open the interactive buyer checklist