Preparing Your Home for an Inspection: The Complete Seller’s Checklist

An inspector will look at hundreds of items in your home — and many of the things that end up in an inspection report could have been taken care of beforehand for little or no cost. A well-prepared home does more than shorten the report: it signals to the inspector and the buyer that the house has been cared for. Here’s the checklist we share with Treasure Valley sellers before we arrive.

• Pull soil and mulch back from siding — 6+ inches of clearance
• Clean gutters and clear debris from the roof
• Divert all water away from the house; grade should slope away from the structure
• Trim trees and bushes back from the foundation, roof, siding, and chimney
• Paint weathered exterior wood; caulk around trim, chimneys, windows, and doors
• Caulk all exterior wall penetrations
• Seal cracking asphalt driveways; point up failing mortar joints
• Seal or point up masonry chimney caps; install a metal flue cap
• Remove rotting wood and firewood from contact with the house
• Install window wells and covers where windows sit at or below grade
• Keep soil clear of foundation vents

• Put all windows and doors in proper operating condition; replace cracked glass
• Put all plumbing fixtures — toilets, tubs, showers, sinks — in working order and repair visible leaks
• Secure toilets tightly to the floor
• Caulk tub and shower fixtures, tub-to-floor and tub-to-wall joints, and shower doors
• Confirm bathrooms vent properly
• Seal basement masonry walls if old stains are present
• Replace burned-out light bulbs — an inspector can’t tell a dead bulb from a wiring problem
• Avoid quick-and-cheap patch repairs; obvious amateur fixes invite closer scrutiny

• Clean or replace the HVAC filter; clean dirty air returns and the plenum
• Have the chimney, fireplace, or wood stove cleaned and serviced — keep the receipt for the buyer
• Test all smoke detectors; install carbon monoxide detectors if needed
• Install GFCI outlets within 6 feet of water sources and test the ones you have
• Check the sump pump and the condition of its pit and drain tile
• Add attic ventilation if none is present
• Check that the crawl space is dry, with a proper vapor barrier; wood moisture should stay below 20%

• Clear access to the attic, crawl space, electrical panel, water heater, furnace, and garage
• Remove paints, solvents, gas cans, and debris from the crawl space, basement, attic, and porch
• If the home is vacant, make sure all utilities are on — systems that can’t be run can’t be inspected
• Under decks: proper grading with filter cloth and gravel is recommended
• A little peroxide in sump or condensate drains reduces odors and bacteria

A prepared home tells the inspector — and the buyer — a story of consistent care. That story is worth real money at the negotiating table.

Selling? Learn about pre-listing inspections on our Residential Inspections page, or get answers on our FAQ page. Half the items above involve managing water — see Gutters, Downspouts & Drainage, or browse all our Homeowner Resources.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a residential or commercial property, you need a trusted and reliable home inspector who can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Don’t let unseen problems turn into costly headaches down the road – contact us today to schedule your inspection and get the peace of mind you deserve.