Pre-Purchase Home Inspection — Free Template

Property type

Property address

Year built

If unknown, leave blank and note it in Summary.

Approximate square footage

Number of stories above grade

Weather at time of inspection

Outdoor temperature at inspection

Required for evaluating whether cooling/heating can be safely operated.

Photo of property — front elevation

Roof covering material

Approximate roof covering age, if known

Inspector is not required to predict remaining service life.

Roof covering overall condition

Describe roof covering defects

Photo of roof covering defects

Active roof leaks observed (in attic or on interior surfaces)?

Look for staining on rafters, sheathing, or upper-floor ceilings.

Describe leak location(s)

Photo of leak evidence

Gutters and downspouts intact, secured, and draining properly?

Flashings at chimney, skylights, and roof penetrations intact?

Overview photo of roof

Exterior wall covering condition

Describe exterior wall defects

Photo of exterior wall defects

Eaves, soffits, fascia condition

All exterior doors operate properly and are weather-tight?

Representative windows operate; no obvious broken seals or fogging?

Walkways and driveways free of significant trip hazards?

Stairs, handrails, guards secure with baluster spacing ≤4 inches?

Improper baluster spacing is a required reporting item per the SOP.

Decks, porches, balconies, carports — condition

Describe deck/porch/balcony defects

Photo of deck/porch/balcony defects

Grading slopes away from foundation on all sides?

Vegetation maintained back from the structure?

Photo of property — rear elevation

Partial basement — other portion of foundation is:

Slab — visible heaving, settling, or significant unevenness?

Yes/Fail if slab shows pronounced humps, dips, or stair-step displacement.

Basement wall construction

Sump pump present in basement?

Sump pump operates when float is lifted?

Inspector is not required to operate pumps with inaccessible floats.

Basement floor drain present and unobstructed?

Vapor barrier installed in crawl space?

Crawl space vents present and unobstructed?

N/A if the crawl space is intentionally encapsulated/sealed.

Crawl space framing — no rot, pest damage, or active moisture damage observed?

Piers — visible cracks, settlement, or deterioration?

Girders/beams — straight, no sag or rot?

Beam-to-pier connections secure?

Crawl space access location

Crawl space accessible and inspected?

Foundation cracks observed?

Hairline shrinkage cracks are common; report sizable, stair-step, or actively moving cracks.

Describe foundation crack locations and severity

Photo of foundation cracks

Active water penetration observed in basement or crawl space?

Describe water penetration location and extent

Photo of water penetration

Wood-soil contact observed (siding, framing, or columns in contact with grade)?

Indications of foundation movement (sheetrock cracks, out-of-square doors, unlevel floors)?

Describe foundation movement indicators

Cutting, notching, or boring of framing observed that may affect structural integrity?

Photo of foundation (interior or exterior)

Energy source

Thermostat location

Heating system operated using normal controls?

Describe non-operation or inaccessibility

System age, if labeled

Visible corrosion, soot, or rust on heating equipment?

Filter condition

Photo of heating equipment

Cooling system operated?

Describe non-operation or condition

System age, if labeled

Refrigerant lines properly insulated?

Condensate drain functional with no standing water at the unit?

Photo of outdoor condenser/heat pump unit

Main water shut-off location

Main fuel shut-off location (gas or oil)

Water heater type

Water heater capacity, if labeled

TPR valve installed with discharge tube terminating safely?

Discharge tube should terminate 6" or less above floor, point downward, and be of approved material.

Functional flow maintained with two fixtures running simultaneously?

Describe water supply deficiency

All accessible toilets flush properly, seated firmly, with no leaks at base?

Describe toilet issues

All accessible sinks drain properly with no leaks?

All accessible tubs and showers drain properly?

Hot and cold faucet positions reversed at any fixture?

Required reporting item per SOP §3.6.

Active plumbing leaks observed?

Describe leak location(s)

Photo of plumbing leaks

Drain/waste/vent piping material observed

Photo of water heater

Service drop: conductor insulation intact, drip loop present, adequate clearance from grade and roof?

Main panel manufacturer and model

All unused circuit-breaker panel openings filled?

Branch wiring type observed

Solid conductor aluminum branch wiring is a required reporting item per SOP §3.7 — flag in Summary for further evaluation.

GFCI protection present and functional at kitchen, bath, garage, exterior, and basement receptacles?

Describe GFCI deficiencies

Any tested receptacle had no power, reversed polarity, missing ground, missing cover, or signs of arcing?

Describe receptacle deficiencies

Smoke detectors present in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level?

Carbon monoxide detectors present near sleeping areas?

Photo of main electrical panel (dead front in place)

Fireplace type

Hearth and hearth extension intact with no joint separation or chamber damage?

Describe hearth or chamber damage

Photo of hearth/chamber damage

Lintel above firebox opening intact?

Damper opens and closes (manually accessible)?

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors present in same room as fireplace?

Photo of fireplace and hearth

Reason attic not inspected

Insulation type observed

Approximate average insulation depth at attic floor

Inspector is not required to identify R-value.

Attic ventilation present (ridge, soffit, gable, or roof vents)?

Photo of attic interior

Interior windows operate; no obvious fogging or broken seals?

Inspector tests a representative sample — not every window.

Describe windows with fogging or broken seals

Floors generally level with no significant deflection or staining?

Describe floor issues

Walls and ceilings free of significant cracks or staining?

Describe wall/ceiling issues

Interior stairs: uniform risers/treads, graspable handrails, baluster spacing ≤4"?

Garage present?

Garage vehicle door operation

Photo-electric safety sensors stop the door when the beam is broken?

Door auto-reverses on contact?

Pedestrian door from garage to interior is fire-rated and self-closing?

Bathroom exhaust fans vent to the exterior (not into the attic)?

Kitchen exhaust functional?

Further evaluation by a licensed specialist recommended?

Areas recommended for further evaluation

Inspector signature

Type your full legal name to acknowledge that this report accurately reflects the inspection performed.

Client email for report delivery