A residential single family home inspection from House Detective includes all areas listed below. It is a comprehensive visual inspection of the property with a written report that includes any significant repair or maintenance issues. The written report will contain a detailed description of significant issues, photos, and other required information.
- Roof
- Exterior
- Yard / Grounds
- Garage
- Interior Rooms
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Attic
- Heating System
- Cooling System
- Plumbing System
- Water Heaters
- Electrical System
- Foundation / Structure
Roof
The roof inspection referrers to inspection of the roof covering, structure, and other associated components. This includes determining the condition of shingles, other coverings, and roof structure. It also includes, but is not limited to, the condition of other associated components such as chimneys, skylights, vents, and gutters.
Exterior
The exterior inspection referrers to inspection of the exterior wall coverings, windows, entry doors, trim, soffit, fascia, and other associated components. This includes determining the condition of siding, other coverings, and structure. It also includes, but is not limited to, the condition of lights, electrical fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and other associated components. Decks, stairs, steps, stoops, railings, and other permanently attached structures are also included.
Yard / Grounds
The exterior yard or grounds inspection referrers to inspection of the exterior walks, driveways, parking areas, grade, and plantings. This includes determining the condition and safety of these areas, and drainage away from the building foundation and structure.
Garage
The garage inspection referrers to inspection of the exterior wall coverings, windows, entry doors, trim, soffit, fascia, and other associated components. This includes determining the condition of siding, other coverings, and structure. It also includes, but is not limited to, the condition of lights, electrical fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and other associated components. The garage interior inspection includes, but is not limited to, the condition of visible floor, foundation, and building structure.
Interior Rooms
The interior room inspection referrers to inspection of the interior wall coverings, ceiling coverings, doors, windows, stairways, railings, and other associated components. This includes determining the condition of floor, wall, and ceiling structures. It also includes, but is not limited to, the condition of receptacles, switches, lights, fans, and other associated electrical fixtures. Visible signs of past or active water intrusion, stains, or damage are also included.
Bathrooms
The bathroom inspection referrers to inspection and operation of all installed plumbing fixtures, and other associated components. See list. This includes determining proper fixture function, flow, draining, and under sink cabinet conditions. It also includes, but is not limited to, the condition of GFCI/receptacles, switches, lights, fans, and other associated electrical fixtures. Visible signs of past or active water intrusion, stains, or damage are also included.
- Sink faucet and drain function.
- Under sink cabinet condition.
- Visible supply pipes, drain pipes, and shut off valves.
- Bathtub and shower fixture function.
- Toilet function.
Kitchens
The kitchen inspection referrers to inspection and operation of all installed plumbing fixtures, counter tops, and other associated components. See list. This includes determining proper fixture function, flow, draining, and under sink cabinet conditions. It also includes, but is not limited to, the condition of GFCI/receptacles, switches, lights, fans, and other associated electrical fixtures. Visible signs of past or active water intrusion, stains, or damage are also included.
- Sink faucet and drain function.
- Under sink cabinet condition.
- Visible supply pipes, drain pipes, and shut off valves.
- Dishwasher function.
- Built in oven/range and cooktop function.
- Counter top condition.
Attic
The attic inspection referrers to inspection of the accessible attic spaces for proper insulation, ventilation, and roof structure. This includes determining insulation types, levels, intake and exhaust ventilation, and the safety of visible electrical components and associated electrical fixtures. The condition of the visible roof structure and signs of past or active water intrusion, stains, or damage are also included.
Heating System
The central heating system inspection referrers to inspection of the heating systems using normal operating controls, and a description of the energy source and heating method being used. See list. The written report will describe and identify as follows, the inspected heating system, and any problems or maintenance issues with the system.
- The heating system type or identification.
- The heating system method.
- Operational function.
- Proper maintenance methods.
- Problems or maintenance issues.
Cooling System
The central cooling system inspection referrers to inspection of the heating systems using normal operating controls, and a description of the energy source and cooling method being used. See list. The written report will describe and identify as follows, the inspected heating system, and any problems or maintenance issues with the system.
- The cooling system type or identification.
- The cooling system method.
- Operational function.
- Proper maintenance methods.
- Problems or maintenance issues.
Plumbing System
The plumbing system inspection referrers to inspection of all visible plumbing supply and drain pipes, and other associated components. See list. This includes determining the types and condition of the system piping, shut off valves, and any signs of damage or leaking. This also includes the condition of gas supply piping and shut off valves.
- Main supply pipe and shut off valves.
- Distribution supply pipes, drain pipes, and shut off valves.
- Main sewer stack and clean out cover condition.
- Unfinished laundry/basement sink faucet and drain function.
- Outdoor hose faucet function.
Water Heaters
The water heater or heating system inspection referrers to inspection of all visible connection pipes, shut off valves, and other associated components. See list. This includes determining the types and condition of the system, and any signs of damage or leaking.
- Water heater or heating system type.
- Fuel source.
- Exhaust type and condition.
- Safety relief valve condition.
- Damage or signs of leaking.
Electrical System
The electrical system inspection referrers to inspection of all visible electrical service-entrance conductors, the main service disconnect, panelboards, overcurrent protective devices (circuit breakers and fuses), and service grounding and bonding. See list. This includes determining the main service disconnect amperage rating, if labeled; and the type of wiring observed. This also includes the condition of the electrical service equipment, beginning at the load end of the service drop or lateral, and ending at the panelboard cabinet that houses the main disconnect.
- The overhead service drop condition.
- The overhead service conductors and associated components condition.
- The electric meter and base condition.
- Main panel service-entrance conductors and breaker condition.
- Panelboards and circuit breakers condition.
- Service and panelboard grounding and bonding condition.
- Distribution cables, raceways, and other associated components condition.
- Switches, lighting fixtures, receptacles, and other associated components condition.
- Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) condition.
- Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles and circuit breakers condition.
- The presence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Foundation / Structure
The foundation and structure inspection referrers to inspection of all visible foundation walls, wall support, sub floor/wall structure, support beams/columns, and associated components. See list. This includes determining the foundation and structure types and condition. The most common type of foundation and structural construction, consists of a basement or crawlspace, sub floor structure, wall framing, support beams, and columns. Other types of construction could be monolithic slab, pier, or other raised types.
- The basement or crawlspace foundation wall type and condition.
- The basement or crawlspace floor type and condition.
- The basement or crawlspace sub floor type and condition.
- The basement or crawlspace beam and column type and condition.
- The visible wall and ceiling framing type and condition.
- The foundation drainage system.
- Signs of past or active water intrusion or damage.
- Indications for testing of potentially harmful microbial growth (fungi, mildew, mold).