Inspection Checklist Template
A structured inspection checklist for high-cost risk items on family-sized homes.
Inspection Template Categories
- Structure and water intrusion
- Roof, envelope, drainage
- HVAC, electrical, plumbing
- Safety code issues
- Immediate vs deferred repair map
Pair checklist findings with repair-cost estimates before final negotiation.
Severity Mapping by Category
| Category | Typical High-Severity Items | Typical Low-Severity Items |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Foundation cracks, floor joist issues, wall separation | Minor settlement cracks in drywall only |
| Roof / envelope | Missing shingles plus leak evidence, failed flashing | Moss or light granule loss on a newer roof |
| HVAC | System over 18 years or non-functioning | Dirty filters, minor ductwork sealing needed |
| Electrical | Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, aluminum branch wiring | GFCI upgrades needed, non-grounded outlets |
| Plumbing | Polybutylene piping, galvanized at end of life, pressure below 40psi | Minor drip, slow drain without pressure issue |
| Water intrusion | Active leaks, efflorescence in basement, mold in crawlspace | Surface staining without confirmed moisture source |
Textbook Field Notes
Inspection Protocol Lab
Instructor Note: The inspection is your last chance to renegotiate with full information. Every finding should be assigned a severity level and a dollar cost estimate before the contingency window expires — not after you have emotionally committed to closing.
Breakout Exercise: Inspection Day Protocol
Assign roles before the inspection: buyer observes and takes supplemental photos, agent handles communication, inspector narrates findings in real time. Immediately after the inspection, sort all findings into the severity categories from the table above. Assign a dollar estimate to each high-severity item before leaving the property. Do not wait for the written report to start this analysis.
- Bring your own bright flashlight to supplement the inspector's equipment — you will catch things together that a single light source misses.
- Photograph serial number plates on HVAC, water heater, and electrical panel so you can look up age and expected remaining life online.
- Request the inspector to walk you verbally through every high-severity finding — the written report alone rarely captures the full context.
Sewer Scope Reminder: A sewer scope is a separate service but strongly recommended for homes over 20 years old. Root intrusion repairs average $3,000–$15,000 and are almost never visible in a standard general inspection.
Helpful Resources
- Inspection Flashlight Set
- Pinless Moisture Meter for Home Inspection
- Borescope Endoscope Camera for Walls and Pipes
- Complete Home Inspection Buyer Reference Guide
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