Page Contents
What You’ll Find Inside This Home Inspection Checklist…
1. Foundation
WHERE to find the cracks and which one’s spell trouble. Plus, what it means when you see moisture.
2. Plumbing
HOW to find the leaks in the water lines and drain lines PLUS decipher the age of the water heater.
3. Roof
HOW to spot hail damage and other issues early so you can decide to negotiate or just walk away.
4. Electrical
HOW to find the electrical service size and use the home’s age to predict red flags that might make you pause.
5. HVAC
HOW AND WHEN to test the furnace and A/C then use their age to estimate how much life they have left.
Go from anxious shopper to confident offer in 13 pages.
3 Free Bonuses That Don’t Suck
Building Materials Lifespan Guide – New for 2023
How long is it going to last?
From foundations to fiberglass doors and sealants to smoke detectors, this guide helps answer that question, so you’re not blindsided when something bites the dust. 300+ items. 20 pages. – $8.99 value.
Cost Estimates Guide – New for 2023
What’s it gonna cost?
And when something finally reaches its (hopefully not so) bitter end, this guide gives you the ballpark cost, so the price quote doesn’t feel like a flying boot to the back of the face. 32 pages. 550+ items. – $9.99 value.
Home Maintenance for Dummies – 2nd Edition
Of course, you’re no dummy
But home ownership and home repairs go together like babies and diapers. And since I like things simple, this book is perfect. No matter who you are, it’s worth its price in gold. 411 pages. – $17 value.
13 pages • 5 major areas • 1 offer accepted • A lifetime of memories
Why Did I Make This Home Inspection Checklist?
In 2007, a homebuyer had me inspect 5 different homes before finally buying the 5th.
It was painful to watch. She walked away from each one for a different reason, and I noticed a couple of things:
1. The deal-breaking defects were all in plain sight
2. They were all in the same 5 areas
Soon after, I created the first version of this home inspection checklist.
What If You Could…
Know the deal breakers and WHERE to find them
Save money on home inspection fees
Save time by skipping homes that don’t fit your needs
Avoid anxiety and stress DURING the home inspection
Avoid unpleasant news and disappointment AFTER the home inspection
Schedule the home inspection knowing what to expect when it’s over
Do this for EVERY home you tour in 30 minute or less
Home Inspection Checklist Table Of Contents
Cracks and foundation movement
Cracks, moisture, and rust
Water lines, drains, water heater, and leakage
Shingles, flashing, rubber boots, and chimneys
Rafters, cedar shingles, and moisture
Smoke detectors, GFCI outlets, wiring, service size, and fuses
Rust, temperature, age, damage
Meet Steve
“With a boatload of money on the line, buying and selling a home can be a stressful event.
Especially when there’s not a lot of information about the home.
So, I hope you find this home inspection checklist useful.
It’s the printed version of my major-items inspection (that sells for almost $400) and focuses solely on the critical areas that always matter most.
By the way, I’d love to hear your feedback. Email me at info@bulldoginspect.com.”
PS – You get $20 off any full home inspection package with your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Why does this home inspection checklist work?
Pareto’s Principle. Aka the 80/20 rule, it predicts that 80% of the major problems will be in 20% of the home. That 20% is the 5 major areas of every home.
▸ What are the 5 major areas of a home?
No matter how old or how big, they are always the same:
1. Foundation
2. Plumbing
3. Roof
4. Electrical
5. HVAC
▸ Who normally uses this type of inspection?
Real Estate Investors. The major-items inspection was originally created for real estate investors who ONLY wanted to know if the home has costly, major issues but anyone can benefit from it.
▸ Is this only for single-family homes?
No. It can also be applied to duplexes, but once you get into multi-family situations, we use a different approach to source certain issues.
▸ How can I get the most from this inspection?
Be sure all utilities are on, pilots are lit, and water is flowing through the faucets BEFORE you check the home. This includes:
1. Gas
2. Electricity
3. Water
▸ Do you have any free information I can use so I don’t have to buy this checklist?
Yes. I wrote a blog post called The Best DIY Home Inspection Checklist. That would be a good place to start.
▸ Can I use this to skip the home inspection?
No. It will help you find major defects in the bones so you don’t spend money inspecting homes you’ll never want to buy, but this checklist doesn’t come close to the depth and breadth of coverage a professional home inspection provides.
▸ What if the home has mold?
If you can see the mold, fix the source of moisture and repair the damage. There are really only 3 valid situations where mold testing is necessary.
▸ Won’t I get this from the seller’s disclosure?
No. I use a seller’s disclosure to supplement my inspection, but it only gives you basic information along with any details the seller remembers. Many times, it’s incorrect, blank, or the person filling it out never lived there.
The 30 Min. Major-Items Home Inspection Checklist. ©2023 Bulldog Professional Inspection Services | All rights reserved.
