How to Prepare the Home for an Inspection - A Great How-To Guide

Preparing the Home for an Inspection

 As the home seller, you can help facilitate a smooth home inspection by doing the following:

Exterior

• Be prepared with any documentation or repair records for decks, additions, finished basements, and the like.
• All exterior doors should be accessible.
• All door locks should be operable.
• Remove debris from gutters/downspouts and trim shrubs away from the foundation

Interior

• All interior areas should be accessible.
• Crawl space access should be clear.
• Remove belongings from storage rooms.
• Make sure the stairs to the attic can be pulled down without endangering belongings or people.
• Attics should be empty so that the inspection includes the entire area.

Garages

• Ensure the garage is unlocked and remove any stored items, cars, etc…
• There needs to be at least three feet of clearance from the walls for inspection.

Electrical

• The electrical panel needs to be accessible to the inspector. For easier access, remove anything blocking the panel.
• Ensure the electrical panel has an inspection sticker.
• Remove "creative wiring," such as extension cords used in attic, interior and exterior.

Plumbing

• To prevent any water damage, fix or let the inspector know about any leaks prior to inspection.

Heating and Air Conditioning

• Install a clean filter.
• Consider having the unit cleaned and serviced, especially if it has been a while since the unit was last serviced.
• Maintain all repair invoices.

Fireplace/Chimney

• Consider having the fireplace and chimney cleaned by a chimney-sweep before the inspection, especially if it has been a while since it was last cleaned.

Pets

• It is best that pets be removed from the premises during the inspection. Keep in mind that the inspector needs access to the entire home, so keeping the pets in the garage or the backyard is not a good idea.

Utilities

• All utilities (electricity, gas and water) should be on and all pilot lights lit so the inspector will not need to return to finish the inspection.
• Replace any burned-out light bulbs.

Foundation

• Remove wood, debris or stored items away from the foundation.

Article published with permission from: U.S. Inspect

Article courtesy of U.S. Inspect.