Preparing for Inspection
Updated: Apr 5, 2021
Preparing your house is the first step in obtaining a successful home inspection. The following article will cover some the main areas to prepare for your home inspection.
All utilities are turned on
Part of the process will be to test lights, HVAC, plumbing, electrical. Out of town property owners may overlook this and leave some of the utilities turned off. Be sure to have all the utilities tuned on prior to us arriving.
Make your house accessible
As part of our standards of practice we are prohibited from moving/re-locating items to obtain access. Be sure the following items are accessible:
Attic: we must inspect all attics, this is vital to a thorough home inspection. I your attic is located in a closet be sure all clothing and shelving is removed beforehand.
Crawl space: If there is an access door be sure it isn’t blocked or locked.
Pets: Keep pets secure or perhaps have a family member or friend look after them.
Snow is removed for driveway and pathways: Home inspectors generally work with tall cumbersome ladders. For safety be sure to have driveways and sidewalks cleared. (These items also fall under the scope of our inspection)
Sinks and bathtubs are empty: Part of our service is to check water flow rates and proper drainage.
Appliances are plugged in: If unplugged we may assume the appliance isn’t in proper working order.
All interior doors are unlocked: We need to access all rooms for inspection.
Electrical panel: Is there easy access to the panel? It’s also a good idea to have an area cleared around the panel for the inspection. This will prevent any tripping hazards and alert the inspector to any possible ground moisture.
Garage: Many garages have inside entry from the house but incase yours doesn’t please leave an automatic opener for the inspection. This also goes for detached garages.
Remove snow from roof: Inspecting the roof is a big part of our inspection. If possible have the roof snow and/or ice removed.
Conclusion
Taking these steps in preparing home is an important step to a successful inspection. For more information on our services or to book an inspection please feel free to contact us anytime.