Selling? How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

SELLERS - PREPARING FOR A HOME INSPECTION

Will your home be inspected shortly at the request of the buyers of your home?  The home inspector is required to perform this inspection following a set of State or Association standards.  It is a visual, generalist inspection, along with the use of some testing equipment including a moisture meter, outlet tester, combustible gas detector, and perhaps other diagnostic tools.  During the inspection, the home inspector will need to have safe access to the front of the electrical panel(s), entry areas for crawlspace or attic, as well as having access to the water heater, and heating/cooling equipment. 

It is in your best interest to have your home "inspection-ready".   Home inspectors cannot perform their job properly if components or systems that they need to evaluate are either inaccessible or unavailable to operate. And, more importantly for you, the buyer of your home can be left with unanswered questions and uncertainties as to conditions of equipment or areas that cannot be inspected, which may create doubt about their moving forward with the purchase of your home.  When a home inspector reports that a key component is "inaccessible" or "out of service", and the buyer asks the inspector to make a return trip to inspect these items after they are made available, the seller is often looked upon to pay for the inspector’s return visit fee.   Do not expect that the home inspector will move your furniture, belongings or laundry to access appliances or key inspection areas; they are not required to do so by the home inspection standards of practice, as this activity can lead to damage of flooring, possessions or furniture.

To assist you in preparing for the home inspection, here is a checklist with some important tips:

• Clear out clutter and supplies from bathroom vanities and under the kitchen sink, to allow the inspector to view pipes and valves when checking for condition, and for leaks.
• Remove clothing, shelves and clothes racks from closets containing the attic access hatch, to enable the home inspector to reach the hatch with a ladder, and to prevent dust and insulation from the attic from dropping down onto your possessions and clothing.
• If one is installed, remove the insulating blanket from the water heater to permit a visual inspection of the tank, and provide access to the manufacturer's nameplate on the side.
• Remove laundry from washing machines and dryers, in the event the home inspector elects to optionally test these appliances.  If the laundry equipment is not going with the sale, it is recommended that you place a note explaining this on the laundry equipment.
• Ovens (including built-in microwaves), cook-tops and ranges will be tested for function, so remove any decorative burner covers, pots, pans, plastic and wood items and other combustibles that do not belong in, or on these appliances. 
• Open all of the blinds, shades and curtains on windows and doors.  These are considered decorative items and are not part of a home inspection.  Window or door blinds can fall off or break when attempting to open them, and sometimes window blinds fail to retract after opening.  Blinds and shades can be fragile or improperly mounted, and when they detach or collapse, can cause consequential damage to breakables below.
• Remove trinkets, ornaments and collectables from harm's way, including the top of the range, windows sashes and sills, doorways and other areas the home inspector will access.  
• If the home has a natural gas fireplace, be sure it is set up and ready to go with the flip of a switch or press of a button.  Home inspectors who are following the standards of practice will not turn on primary gas valves or ignite pilot lights.
• Clear out the area in front of fireplaces, including andirons, logs, and screens.  And, open any hinged glass doors to permit free access to these areas.
• Place all remote controls for ceiling fans, fireplaces and ductless split system air conditioners in plain view, so that these fixtures and appliances can be tested.
• Open all locks on outside showers, garage doors, keyed bolt locks, outdoor electrical main disconnect compartments, crawlspace or attic access hatches, storage rooms and closets, to enable these areas to be opened up and visually inspected.
• Clearly label any defective appliances, garage doors or other components that you are aware of, so the home inspector does not attempt to operate them without this knowledge.  While home inspectors are liable for negligence (and most have liability insurance), do not expect a home inspector to assume responsibility for direct or indirect damage caused by attempting to properly operate a defective component or system.
• Be sure that all circuit breakers are switched on in the panel.  Home inspectors who are following the standards of practice will not turn on breakers, and appliances or outlets that are inactive cannot be tested.  Also, be sure to turn on water valves to the washing machine, and outside shower & hose bibs (winter months excepted) so these items can be tested.
• Where practical, consider moving furniture away from electrical outlets behind them, since home inspectors following the standards of practice will not move furniture or possessions to reach blocked outlets.
• Dogs and cats and other house pets should be caged or removed from the home, otherwise they may escape via an open door during the inspection.
• Lastly, remove child-proof devices from electric receptacles and cabinet doors & drawers.