Preparing for Your Home Inspection
A good home inspection report is key to sellling your house. Here are some tips to help you get ready and have a successful inspection.
Checklist
Is the breaker box accessible? Locks removed, shelving removed, furniture out of the way, if the breaker box is hidden is there a note providing details as to where the box(s) are located?- Is the attic opening accessible? If the opening is in a closet are all personal possessions removed to allow a ladder to be placed in the closet, is furniture out of the way to allow a ladder placed under the opening, if located in the garage are all cars and storage out of the way to allow placement of a ladder?
- Is the crawl space opening available? Ensure the opening is visible and accessible, do you need to move furniture, post a note explaining the opening is in a closet or under carpet, if the opening is located outside is it easy to find or open?
- If the basement floor is wood with a crawl space beneath, are all opening accessible? Ensure all openings are visible and furniture is removed.
- Is the sump pit or basement ejector pit accessible? If located behind storage, remove and make it easily accessible and findable.
- If you have a radon mitigation system installed are all components of the system accessible?
- If you have a basement wood sub floor, is the humidistat accessible?
- Are the furnace and hot water heater easily accessible? Can the inspector remove covers from both appliances and look inside them?
- Have you removed all pets or secured them out of the way of the inspector?
- If you are the seller, leave the property for the entire time of the inspection.
- If you have receipts for work recently complete or permits from new installations, leave them on the kitchen counter for the inspector.
- If something is broken or leaks, leave a note on the kitchen counter for the inspector.