Property Inspection Checklist
Table of Contents
Introduction
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- Property exterior - structural safety
- FoundationIf the foundation cracked or wet or the structure is leaning badly, serious foundation damage may have occurred. Have a foundation repair specialist check it out.
- RoofThe roof should be in good repair, with flashing intact and no missing shingles. Have a roofer inspect it if there are signs of water damage or leaks.
- Deck/porchInspect the supporting beams for sign of rot or insect damage. Flooring should be even and properly nailed or screwed down. Railing should be intact.
- Property exterior - maintenance
- TreesAll limbs should be trimmed away from power lines and away from structures. Limbs overhanging buildings may require the services of a professional tree trimmer.
- SidingIf wooden, check for signs of damage or need for painting. If manufactured, check for cracks or missing pieces.
- Doors and windowsThese should be watertight, with weather-stripping and caulking redone within the last year. Broken glass should be replaced.
- Property exterior - appearance
- LawnIf the lawn is unkempt or in poor condition, a landscaping or lawn care service my be required to get it back in shape.
- PaintIf buildings show signs of severe weathering, a new coat of paint may be in order.
- FencingFencing should be intact and posts should be in firm footing. Missing slats or rotted posts should be replaced by a professional fencing company.
- Property interior - structural
- CeilingAny sagging sections should be checked out immediately. Water spots are a sign that integrity has been compromised.
- FloorsPlaces that give way when you step on them indicate a professional flooring contractor be contacted to determine if the damage is foundation or insect related.
- Support beamsDoorways should be square - sticking doors may indicate a foundation shift that should be looked into. Load-bearing walls should not be creaked or buckled.
- InsulationAsk for proof that the building contains no asbestos, and ensure that there is sufficient insulation to prevent undue energy loss.
- Property interior - maintenance
- PlumbingHave a plumber do a quick check of all pipes to ensure they are up to code and that there are no leaks. Check water pressure and hot water heater.
- ElectricalWatch out for outlets with signs of scorching. Locate the breaker box and determine which breakers control which rooms.
- FloorsCarpets should be in good condition, call a professional cleaner if needed. Wood floors may require sanding and refinishing.
- WindowsBlinds should be in working condition. Draped may require professional cleaning.
- FixturesCheck all hanging and indirect lighting as well as ceiling fans.
- HVACHave heating and air conditioning units checked out and serviced by a professional.
- FireplaceCall a chimney sweep if needed to clean the flue, remove creosote and ensure your fireplace is safe to use.
- Property interior - appearance
- WallsConsider having professional house-painters spruce up walls in rooms that show signs of dinginess or stains.
- Cabinets/countersRotted or outdated fixtures should be replaced. Cabinet doors can be sanded and repainted or stained.
- DoorsAny peeling paint indicates a need to sand and repaint doors. Check doorknobs and replace if needed. Remember to check for deadbolts on the exterior doors.
- PestsLook in nooks and crannies checking for insects or vermin. Call a pest control company if needed to spray or place bait.
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Presented by:
Nicole Nichols-West
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Details
Tips
Inspections should cover several key areas; structural safety, maintenance, and appearance. If it is a rental property, agreements should already be in place about what duties and tasks are the responsibility of the owner, and what upkeep should be attended to by the leaseholder.
If ownership of the property is being transferred, there may be issues that will have to be addressed, with the seller and buyer coming to an agreement about who is responsible for what. In some cases, the selling price of the property may be adjusted to allow for repairs or renovations. Both the interior and the exterior of all structures on the property as well as the land surrounding it should be inspected to save unhappy surprises down the road.
Knowing what you are getting into can have an impact on decision making, particularly when budgets are tight as taking on a dilapidated property can end up being a costly investment. Some areas may have features native to the area, or implements in place to deal with severe weather. Check local building codes if you are unsure if the property is safe. Certain portions of the property inspection are best handled by professionals, so don’t hesitate to employ a specialist if you see something that looks dangerous or not up to code.
Who it's for
This Property Inspection Checklist is for teams that want consistent execution, less rework, and clear ownership.
- Standardize quality - run the same Property Inspection steps every time, regardless of who executes
- Save time - reuse a proven Property Inspection workflow instead of rebuilding processes from scratch
- Improve accountability - assign owners and see what's done vs. what's pending
- Onboard faster - use the Property Inspection checklist as the SOP and training guide
- Coordinate across roles - handoffs are clear and everyone works from the same source of truth
How to use it
How to use this Property Inspection Checklist:
- Start by saving it - save as a Template if you'll reuse it, or as a Checklist if it's a one-off project.
- Customize it once for your workflow - remove what doesn't apply and add your team-specific steps.
- Assign ownership and execute - set owners/due dates where needed and track completion as work happens.
- Reuse without rebuilding - when Property Inspection comes up again, start from your saved version and run it with clear ownership.