A home inspector will look at everything. Home inspectors have a 1,600-item checklist, according to the National Association of Home Inspectors and the average home inspection can take three to four hours – or even more if you have additional inspections, such as termite inspections, included.
Here are just some of the areas checked during a home inspection:
- Grounds: Standing water, faulty grading, sick or dying trees and shrubs, crumbling paths and walls
- Structure: Foundation integrity, rotting or out-of-plumb window and door frames
- Roof: Defects in shingles, flashing, and fascia; loose and hanging gutters; defects in chimneys and skylights
- Exterior: Cracks or rot; dents or bowing in vinyl; blistering or flaking paint; adequate clearing between siding and earth
- Window, doors, trim: Rotting frames, peeling caulk, damaged glass
- Interior rooms: Water-stained ceilings, adequate insulation, and sufficient heating vents
- Kitchen: Proper venting, no leaks under the sink, and cabinet doors and drawers operate properly
- Bathrooms: Toilets flush properly, showers spray, and tubs are securely fastened
- Plumbing: Drains flow properly; water has proper temperature and pressure
- Electrical: Proper electrical panels and working light switches and outlets
Home inspections are non-invasive, meaning your home inspector will not be breaking into walls or under tile floors, for example, to be able to inspect what lies beneath or within.