Hey there! If you’re in the process of buying a home in the Chicagoland area, getting a home inspection should be at the top of your to-do list. A thorough home inspection can potentially save you thousands of dollars down the road by identifying issues early on.
As a real estate agent Home Inspections in Chicagoland myself, I’ve been through the home buying process many times. Over the years, I’ve put together this comprehensive checklist of everything a home inspector will look at during a typical inspection. Read through the list so you know what to expect before your own inspection day arrives!
What Does a Home Inspector Check For?
A home inspector will examine all the physical aspects of the property inside and out. Here are some of the main things they’ll be looking at:
- Structural integrity
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems
- HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
- Insulation and ventilation
- Doors and windows
- Roofing and siding
- Foundation and basement
- Built-in appliances
- Overall safety issues
The goal is to identify any issues that may impact the home’s livability, safety, or value. In other words, they want to catch problems before you move in.
Getting Ready for Inspection Day
Before the inspector arrives, make sure to do a bit of prep work:
- Clear access to everything. Remove stored items from around electrical panels, HVAC equipment, the water heater, and other mechanicals. Clear debris from crawl spaces and the attic so the inspector can easily access these areas.
- Check if all utilities are on. Confirm that all utilities like the electricity, water, and pilot lights are up and running. Systems can’t be thoroughly tested if they aren’t operational.
- Gather info about the home. Try to have things like the original building plans, warranty info for appliances/systems, and any records of renovations or repairs. This helps the inspector evaluate the home.
- Make repairs ahead of time. If you already know of issues through your walkthroughs, get estimates and make repairs before inspection. This prevents negotiation hassles down the road.
- Keep pets contained. Make sure pets are kept in another part of the house or outside during the inspection. This allows the inspector to work freely and undistracted.
The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist
Okay, now let’s walk through the home inspection in Chicagoland process from start to finish. Here’s an overview of everything the inspector will evaluate room-by-room and top to bottom:
Exterior Areas
Your inspector will start with the exterior areas of the home. This includes:
- Roofing: Shingles/tiles, flashing, gutters and downspouts, visible attic vents and chimneys
- Siding: Brick, stone, stucco, trim, paint condition
- Windows/doors: Glazing, frames, screens, hardware
- Decks/porches: Railings, steps, supports
- Garage: Door function, automatic openers
- Driveways/walkways: Cracks, condition
- Grading and drainage: Proper sloping to divert water, no standing water
- Electrical: Exterior outlets, exterior lighting
- Gas: Gas meter, pipes, tank
- Plumbing: Hose faucets, well/septic tank if present
- Ventilation: Dryer vent, range hood vent
Structure and Foundation
The condition of the home’s structure and foundation are critical. Watch to see if the inspector:
- Checks for level floors and walls that are free of major cracks.
- Look for signs of moisture in the basement or crawl space.
- Examines the foundation for cracks or deterioration.
- Checks supports, floor joists, and subflooring.
- Looks for mods that may have cut structural components.
Roof and Attic
Getting on the roof is an important part of the inspector’s job. Things they will assess include:
- Roof age, structure, materials, and remaining useful life.
- Evidence of leaks like stains or missing shingles.
- Exposed rafters and sheathing in the attic.
- Insulation level and ventilation.
- Moisture levels.
- Electrical wiring and exhaust fans.
Plumbing
A thorough plumbing inspection will look at:
- Water pressure at all fixtures.
- Pipe materials and potential leaks.
- Water heating equipment like water heater age and capacity.
- Functioning sink, toilet, and shower/tub drains.
- Well water tank and piping if present.
- Sprinkler systems.
- Fuel storage tanks.
- Sump pump.
Electrical
Be prepared for the lights to go on and off as the inspector tests:
- Electrical box, wiring, and panel capacity.
- Outlet placement and grounding.
- Function of GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets.
- Wiring materials (copper vs. aluminum).
- Doorbell and intercoms.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
HVAC
Proper function of heating and cooling systems will be checked:
- Furnace/boiler age and function.
- Heat exchangers, burners, and combustion venting.
- Insulation around ductwork.
- Thermostats, humidifiers, and fans.
- Chimneys and gas fireplaces.
- Central air conditioning system.
Kitchen
The kitchen is often the heart of the home. The inspector will test:
- Appliance function and connections.
- Venting above the stove.
- Plumbing and garbage disposal.
- Cabinets and countertops.
- Electrical outlets, lighting, and switches.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms contain much of the plumbing, so inspectors will look at:
- Sink, toilet, and shower/tub function.
- Drain and vent pipe condition.
- Water pressure and pipe leaks.
- Exhaust fan operation.
- GFCI outlets.
Interior Rooms
The rest of the living areas should also be examined including:
- Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows.
- Steps and railings on stairs.
- Built-in shelves and cabinets.
- Fireplace dampers and chimneys.
- Laundry connections and appliances.
- General home safety issues.
Garage
Don’t forget the garage! Inspectors will check:
- Garage door function and safety sensors.
- Automatic opener compatibility.
- Fire separation from the home.
- Electrical, including GFCI outlets.
Home Inspections in Chicagoland: The Bottom Line
That covers the top-to-bottom home inspection in Chicagoland process! As you can see, home inspectors look at pretty much everything to evaluate the current condition and uncover any issues.
While it may seem tedious on inspection day, a thorough assessment now can save you big headaches and expenses over the long run. The inspection gives you an objective report you can use to renegotiate with the seller if needed.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry! Your real estate agent can help explain the report and negotiate repairs. I’m always happy to talk through the process with my buyers.
Buying a home is a big investment – protect it by getting a home inspection. Let me know if you need a referral to a great local inspector in the Chicagoland suburbs. I have trusted pros I can recommend to give you peace of mind.