How To Prepare For A Home Inspection

Preparing For A Home Inspection

How to Prepare

Being prepared for a home inspection is in everyone’s best interest. There has been many times as a home inspector when I’ve showed up to a inspection and was unable to inspect multiple components of the home due to personal belongings. It is understandable that every floor surface and wall surface will not be visible in a occupied home or a home with people that are getting ready to move but let’s talk about areas that are very important to be left accessible for a home inspection.

   Let’s start with the garage 

One thing I have been seeing a lot is people packing their stuff tight up against their overhead garage door making it impossible to function test the door and its safety features. Not being able to see a properly functional door is a very big unknown for potential home buyers. The next one I see a lot in a garage is personal belongings under an attic hatch. This includes cars, motorbikes, tools, belongings, etc. Attics are one of the most important areas of the home to inspect. Being able to see the underside of the roof sheathing for any potential moisture and ensuring the space is sufficiently insulated is crucial in the inspection process. Last one for me in the garage is keeping as much of the floor slab and foundation exposed for inspection of the concrete. If the garage floor is completely covered with belongings more uncertainties will be added in the inspection process.

   Let’s move on out to the exterior of the home

Let’s start with personal belongings again. One thing I see a lot is a certain section of the home’s exterior/foundation covered with wood, bikes, garbage, etc. Being able to fully see the visual portion of the home’s foundation is a very important part of the home inspection processes and potentially one of the most important areas for many potential home buyers. Another big one out side is keeping up on yard maintenance and snow removal. Not being able to see driveways, walkways and decks surfaces is definitely not ideal when inspecting a home.

Moving Inside The house 

 Let’s move inside and start with the heart of the home, the mechanical room/basement. During a home inspection the home inspector will need full access around the furnace, hot water heater, HRV, humidifier, service panel and sump pump. It is very important there are no personal belongings restricting the home inspector from accessing those areas. Also in the basement the more floor/wall surfaces visible to the inspector the better. Now let’s talk about appliances, in order for inspectors to inspect your appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, oven) no personal belongings can be in them. So please make sure appliances are free and clear prior to inspection. That goes for sinks and bathtubs as well during your home inspection. Your sinks and tubs will get filled up and drained to test the plumbing system for leaks and drainage so it is very important to keep sinks and tubs not filled with personal belongings. And the last area I want to touch on in the interior of your home is your attic access. Many times this area is located in a bedroom closet and is jammed pack with suitcases, storage boxes or has a nice hat/jersey collection. Prior to inspection it is very important to locate this area and make sure the home inspector will have easy access and your Edmonton Oiler’s jerseys are out of harms way.

getting reaDy

   This is just a touch on a few of the many steps a home owner can make to ensure a smooth inspection process. There are lots of easy maintenance items to go along with this as well but for today we just really wanted to touch on personal belongings and areas you want to keep free and clear. For any more information regarding the home inspection process reach out to us at Better Safe Home Inspections and we will be happy to answer any of your questions or concerns.