Pre-Job Inspection Checklist

1. Choose your scope. Toggle between Interior and Exterior/Safety tabs at the top. Each tab covers the relevant areas for that portion of the home inspection.

2. Work through each section. Check off items as you inspect them. Start at the front door and work systematically through each room, then move to the exterior.

3. Monitor your progress. The progress bar updates in real time. The summary section shows your completion percentage and a condition grade based on items checked.

4. Generate a report. When finished, hit Generate Report to create a printable summary of everything inspected and any items that need attention. Hand this to the homeowner as a professional deliverable.

Plumbing checks. Test every faucet, drain, and toilet. Check under sinks for leaks, verify supply shut-offs work, and note water heater age and condition. Slow drains and dripping faucets are the most common repair items found during inspections.

Electrical safety. Test outlets with a plug tester to check polarity and grounding. Verify GFCI outlets trip and reset. Look for warm outlets, discolored plates, and missing covers — all signs of potential wiring problems that need attention.

Doors and windows. Check operation, weatherstripping, locks, and screens. Sticking doors often indicate foundation settling. Drafty windows waste energy and are easy upsell repairs that pay for the inspection.

Walls, ceilings, and floors. Look for water stains, cracks, peeling paint, and soft spots. These often indicate underlying problems — water stains mean leaks, cracks can mean settling, and soft floors near bathrooms suggest moisture damage.

Exterior items. Inspect siding, gutters, grading, and deck condition. Water management is the biggest issue — gutters must drain away from the foundation and grading must slope away from the house.

Safety items. Test smoke and CO detectors, check handrails, and verify fire extinguishers are charged. Safety items are quick wins that protect the homeowner and demonstrate your thoroughness.

Annual maintenance inspections. Offer this as a service to regular clients. A yearly walkthrough catches small issues before they become expensive repairs and keeps you top of mind for future work.

New client assessments. When a new client calls for one repair, offer a full inspection. It builds trust, demonstrates expertise, and almost always generates a list of additional work.

Rental property turnovers. Landlords need a thorough assessment between tenants. This checklist documents the condition of every system and gives the owner a prioritized repair list.