The Complete Home Inspection Checklist for 2026

A thorough home inspection follows a systematic approach, examining every major building system from roof to foundation. Whether you are a new inspector building your workflow or an experienced pro looking for a comprehensive reference, this checklist covers every area aligned with ASHI and InterNACHI standards of practice, updated for current codes and best practices.

Use this as a field reference, a training tool, or a quality assurance check against your existing process. No checklist replaces professional judgment, but a good checklist ensures nothing gets missed on a busy day.

Roof System

• Covering material: Identify type (asphalt shingle, metal, tile, flat/membrane). Note approximate age and remaining useful life.
• Shingle condition: Check for curling, cracking, missing, or granule loss. Document any areas with visible wear patterns.
• Flashing: Inspect all flashings at valleys, walls, chimneys, vents, and skylights. Look for rust, lifting, or improper sealing.
• Gutters and downspouts: Check for proper attachment, slope, clogs, and downspout extensions directing water away from the foundation.
• Penetrations: Examine all roof penetrations (plumbing vents, exhaust vents, satellite mounts) for proper sealing.
• Ventilation: Verify adequate attic ventilation — ridge vents, soffit vents, or gable vents. Check for proper airflow.
• Chimneys: Inspect cap, crown, mortar joints, and flashing. Check for efflorescence or deterioration.

Exterior

• Siding/cladding: Identify material (vinyl, wood, fiber cement, brick, stucco). Check for damage, gaps, or moisture intrusion signs.
• Trim and fascia: Look for rot, paint failure, pest damage, or improper flashing at trim-to-siding transitions.
• Windows and doors: Check for proper sealing, caulking condition, glass integrity, and operability of a representative sample.
• Grading and drainage: Verify positive grading away from the foundation (minimum 6 inches of fall in 10 feet). Note any areas where water may pool against the structure.
• Walkways and driveways: Note significant cracking, heaving, or settlement that could indicate soil movement or drainage issues.
• Decks and porches: Check structural connections, railing height (36 inches for decks under 30 inches above grade, 42 inches for higher), baluster spacing (less than 4 inches), and ledger board attachment.
• Retaining walls: Look for leaning, bulging, or drainage issues.

Electrical System

• Service entrance: Identify service size (100A, 150A, 200A). Check for proper clearance, weatherhead condition, and grounding.
• Main panel: Open and inspect the panel. Look for double-tapped breakers, improper wire sizes, corrosion, evidence of overheating, or signs of amateur work.
• Sub-panels: Verify proper bonding (neutral and ground separated in sub-panels). Check for independent grounding.
• GFCI protection: Test all GFCI outlets. Verify GFCI protection in required locations: bathrooms, kitchens (within 6 feet of sink), garages, exteriors, unfinished basements, and laundry areas.
• AFCI protection: Check for AFCI breakers on bedroom circuits (required since 2002 IRC). Newer codes expand AFCI requirements to most living spaces.
• Outlets and switches: Test a representative sample for proper wiring (use a circuit tester). Check for open grounds, reversed polarity, and missing cover plates.
• Smoke and CO detectors: Verify presence in required locations (every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, every level). Check that interconnected detectors are less than 10 years old.

Plumbing System

• Water supply: Identify supply material (copper, PEX, CPVC, galvanized). Note any visible corrosion, leaks, or improper connections.
• Drain/waste/vent: Identify DWV material (PVC, ABS, cast iron, copper). Check for proper slope, venting, and signs of leaks or blockages.
• Water heater: Note type (tank, tankless), fuel source, capacity, and age. Check for TPR valve, proper discharge pipe, and seismic strapping where required.
• Fixtures: Run all faucets and check for leaks, proper drainage, and adequate water pressure. Flush all toilets. Check under sinks for signs of leaks.
• Main shutoff: Locate and test the main water shutoff valve. Note its location for the client.
• Exterior hose bibs: Check for anti-siphon (vacuum breaker) devices where required.
• Fuel gas: If applicable, check gas line material, connections, and look for evidence of leaks at accessible connections.

HVAC System

• Heating system: Identify type (forced air, boiler, heat pump, radiant) and fuel source. Note age and approximate remaining useful life.
• Cooling system: Identify type and capacity. Check for proper refrigerant line insulation, condensate drainage, and clearance around outdoor units.
• Ductwork: Inspect accessible ductwork for proper connections, insulation, and signs of damage or disconnection.
• Filters: Check filter condition and note size for the client. Dirty filters are the most common HVAC maintenance issue.
• Thermostat: Verify operation. Test heating and cooling modes if weather permits.
• Ventilation: Check bathroom exhaust fans (should vent to exterior, not attic). Verify kitchen range hood venting.
• Combustion air: For gas appliances, verify adequate combustion air supply per manufacturer requirements.

Foundation and Structure

• Foundation type: Identify (slab, crawl space, basement, pier and beam). Check for visible cracks — note if they are hairline, moderate, or significant.
• Foundation walls: Look for horizontal cracking (more concerning than vertical), bowing, water staining, or efflorescence.
• Floor structure: In accessible areas, check joists for proper sizing, spanning, notching, or boring. Look for signs of moisture damage or pest activity.
• Columns and beams: Verify adequate support. Check for proper bearing and signs of settlement.
• Crawl space: If accessible, check for standing water, moisture barriers (vapor barrier on soil), adequate ventilation, and pest evidence.
• Slab cracks: Note location and width of any visible slab cracks. Cracks wider than 1/4 inch or with vertical displacement warrant further evaluation.

Interior

• Walls and ceilings: Look for cracks, water stains, bulging, or evidence of previous repairs. Water stains on ceilings below bathrooms or rooflines are red flags.
• Floors: Check for levelness, squeaking, soft spots, or damage. Sloping floors may indicate structural settlement.
• Windows: Test a representative sample for operability. Check for fogged double-pane glass (seal failure), proper locks, and egress compliance in bedrooms.
• Doors: Check for proper operation. Doors that stick or do not latch may indicate structural movement.
• Stairs and railings: Verify proper riser height consistency (max 3/8 inch variance), handrail graspability, and guard rail height.
• Fireplaces: Inspect firebox, damper operation, and hearth condition. Check for proper clearances to combustible materials.
• Garage: Check vehicle door auto-reverse safety, fire separation (rated drywall on common walls and ceiling), and proper weather-sealing.

Attic and Insulation

• Access and entry: Note attic access location and method. Enter if safe and accessible.
• Insulation: Identify type (fiberglass batts, blown cellulose, spray foam) and estimate depth/R-value. Note any gaps, compression, or missing areas.
• Ventilation: Verify that insulation is not blocking soffit vents. Check for adequate airflow from soffit to ridge.
• Moisture: Look for condensation, mold, water staining on sheathing, or daylight penetration.
• Framing: Inspect visible roof framing for signs of damage, modifications, or pest activity.
• Exhaust terminations: Verify that bathroom fans and dryer vents terminate outside the attic, not into it.

A checklist is a tool, not a substitute for training and experience. The items above represent the major inspection areas, but every property has unique conditions that require professional assessment. Use this checklist to ensure thoroughness, and rely on your expertise for interpretation.

Using This Checklist Effectively

The best way to use a comprehensive checklist is to integrate it into your workflow so it becomes automatic. Digital inspection tools that follow a system-by-system approach ensure you cover every area without having to reference a paper checklist at each step.

AI-powered inspection platforms take this a step further by prompting you through each system, flagging items you might have missed, and automatically organizing your photos and notes by category. The result is a more thorough, more consistent inspection with less mental overhead.