Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers in Buffalo and WNY

Buying a home is a significant investment, and there is good reason why almost all buyers in Western New York include a pre-purchase home inspection as part of their process. The cost of a home inspection is relatively small compared to closing costs and other expenses involved in a home purchase, and many times the cost of the inspection is offset by closing credits or price reductions as a result of problems that we identify.

The checklist (AKA “home inspection checklist”) of items below is included in our home inspection reports, as long as they can safely be accessed or viewed. Snow, rain and other conditions may make it unsafe to fully inspect the roof, for example.

GROUNDS

Driveway & Walkways
Grading & Drainage
Retaining Walls
Plants & Trees that affect the home
Decks, Porches, Patios & Stairs

EXTERIOR

Siding, Flashing & Trim – Read our article about siding problems
Window Exteriors
Exterior Doors
Eaves, Soffits & Fascia
Exterior Faucets

ROOF

Shingles & Condition of other Coverings
Plumbing Vents
Exhaust Piping
Gutters & Downspouts
Flashings
Chimney
Skylights
Read our suggestions for summertime roof checkups

GARAGE

Garage Door Safety
Ceiling, Floor & Walls
Safety of Interior Door to Home
Garage Door Opener

INTERIOR

Kitchen
Bathrooms
Laundry Area
Fireplace
Condition of Floors, Walls and Ceiling
Window Functionality
Stairways
Fire Alarms – Read about New York State law changes, effective 4/1/2019
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

ATTIC & ROOF STRUCTURE

Access Door
Ventilation
Roof Structure
Insulation
Exhaust Vents
Moisture Presence

ELECTRICAL

Service Disconnect
Breaker Panel
Sub-panel
Grounding & Safety
Branch Wiring
Receptacles/Outlets
Ground Fault Circuit Interupters (GFCI)
Switches
Lights
Ceiling Fans
What electrical problems do home inspectors find?

PLUMBING

Visible condition of water shut-off
Water supply and distribution pipes
Flow of supply & drain
Sump pump
Utility Sink
Type of piping, i.e. copper, galvanized steel, PVC, PEX, cast iron
Natural gas or propane distribution pipe
All common plumbing problems that are visible during the inspection

HEATING & COOLING

Furnace
Boiler
Air Conditioning
Storage tank water heater
Tankless water heater
Exhaust piping
Ductwork
Thermostat
Registers

BASEMENT & FOUNDATION

We access all basements and crawlspaces, unless underwater
Concrete, block or even wooden foundations are inspected
Framing & floor structure
Insulation
Water entry into the basement or crawlspaces
Cracks are inspected to determine if they pose a risk to the home
Read our article about foundation problems

ENVIRONMENTAL

We consider the age of the home and advise regarding lead paint concerns or likelihood that asbestos was used in the home
As a New York Certified Mold Assessor (#MA1606) we advise on the presence of mold, or need for further assessment
We take care to consider moisture presence in the home, which can lead to mold growth

Call or Text Us

Call or send us a text and we will work with you to schedule your home inspection and other services. Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 8am-2pm.

Schedule Online

View our available appointments and schedule your home inspection in real time. We will contact you after scheduling to confirm your appointment and collect any additional details.

Email Us

Use this easy form to send us a message. We respond quickly and work with you or your real estate agent to schedule your inspection.