Guide
Home inspection checklist: 12 things to check before you buy
A home inspection report can run 40+ pages of dense technical language. Before you make an offer — or while you're reviewing the seller's pre-inspection — use this checklist to make sure the big-ticket items are covered. Then upload the PDF to Grund to triage every finding by urgency and get local repair cost estimates.
1. Roof
Age, remaining lifespan, missing or curled shingles, flashing around chimneys and vents, and any signs of water staining in the attic below.
2. Attic and insulation
Insulation depth and condition, ventilation, daylight visible through the roof deck, and evidence of past leaks or rodent activity.
3. Foundation and structure
Cracks wider than 5 mm, horizontal cracks, doors and windows that bind, and any sloping floors. These are the most expensive surprises.
4. Basement and crawl space
Moisture, efflorescence on walls, mold, standing water, and the condition of any sump pump or drainage system.
5. Exterior and drainage
Grading sloping away from the house, gutters and downspouts, siding condition, and caulking around windows and doors.
6. Windows and doors
Failed seals (fogging between panes), rot in frames, and weatherstripping. Replacement costs add up fast across a whole house.
7. Electrical panel and wiring
Panel age and capacity, presence of obsolete brands, knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, GFCI protection in wet areas, and grounding.
8. Plumbing
Supply line material (copper, PEX, galvanized, polybutylene), drain lines, water pressure, and any signs of past or current leaks under sinks.
9. Water heater
Age (most last 10–15 years), capacity, signs of corrosion, and whether it's properly vented and strapped.
10. HVAC
Age and service history of the furnace, boiler, heat pump, or AC. Ask for recent service records and check filter and ductwork condition.
11. Kitchen and bathrooms
Ventilation, signs of leaks around tubs and showers, grout and caulk condition, and any soft spots in the floor near fixtures.
12. Safety items
Smoke and CO detectors, handrails, stair geometry, and any radon or asbestos notes in the report.
Once you have the inspection PDF, the hard part is triage: what's a dealbreaker, what's a negotiation point, and what can wait three years? Grund does this automatically — every finding tagged Fix Now / Fix Soon / Plan Ahead, with a local cost range and a contractor email ready to send.