Free home inspection checklists.

Roof

• Identify covering material (shingle, tile, metal, flat/membrane) and note approximate age and layers
• Walk or pole-camera every slope; note granule loss, cracked/slipped tiles, lifted seams
• Check flashing at all penetrations, walls, and valleys
• Inspect drip edge and starter course at eaves and rakes
• Check gutters and downspouts — attachment, slope, discharge away from foundation
• Look for sagging, deflection, or ponding areas
• Inspect soffit and fascia for rot, detachment, and pest entry
• Check skylights for cracked glazing and flashing condition
• Inspect chimney cap, crown, and flashing
• Document any patching or prior repairs with close-up photos

Exterior

• Inspect siding/stucco for cracks, delamination, and moisture staining
• Verify grading slopes away from the foundation on all sides
• Note vegetation or tree limbs in contact with the structure
• Check driveways, walkways, and steps for trip hazards and settlement
• Test a representative sample of windows and doors for operation and seal failure
• Test exterior receptacles for GFCI protection
• Operate hose bibbs; check for leaks and backflow prevention
• Inspect decks and porches — ledger attachment, posts, guardrails, stair stringers
• Check exterior paint/sealant condition, especially at penetrations and trim
• Note condition of retaining walls and site drainage features visible from the lot

Structure & Foundation

• Document foundation cracks — location, width, direction (vertical, horizontal, stair-step)
• Look for signs of differential settlement at corners and openings
• In crawlspaces: moisture, standing water, wood-to-soil contact, vapor barrier
• Check beams, posts, and piers for bearing, rot, and shimming
• Note floor slope or bounce and correlate with what's below
• Map interior wall/ceiling crack patterns against exterior observations
• Look for evidence of wood-destroying organism damage (refer for WDO inspection as applicable)
• Photograph and describe any prior structural repairs (sistered members, epoxy injection, piering)

Electrical

• Note service entrance type, conductor condition, and clearances
• Record panel brand and model; photograph the label and dead front
• Remove dead front (when safe) — check for double taps, corrosion, scorching, missing knockouts
• Verify breaker sizing is consistent with visible wire gauge
• Test GFCI protection at kitchens, baths, garage, exterior; note AFCI where required
• Verify grounding electrode and bonding of water/gas piping where visible
• Test a representative sample of receptacles for open ground and reverse polarity
• Identify branch wiring types visible (copper, aluminum, cloth-insulated, knob-and-tube)
• Confirm smoke and CO detectors are present in required locations
• Note missing cover plates, open junction boxes, and exposed splices

Plumbing

• Identify supply piping material (copper, CPVC, PEX, galvanized, polybutylene) and photograph it
• Identify drain/waste material (PVC, ABS, cast iron) and note condition where visible
• Record water heater age from the data plate; photograph the plate
• Check TPR valve, discharge pipe, drain pan, and seismic/strapping where required
• Measure functional water flow and check for pressure drop with multiple fixtures running
• Check under every sink for leaks, corrosion, and improper traps
• Confirm toilets are secure at the flange and check for slow leaks at supply lines
• Inspect washing machine connections and drain standpipe
• Locate and photograph the main water shutoff
• Document stains or repairs suggesting past leaks, with moisture readings where warranted

HVAC

• Record system type, brand, and age from data plates (air handler and condenser); photograph plates
• Operate cooling and measure supply/return temperature differential
• Operate heating (including heat strips or furnace) and verify response
• Check condensate line, trap, float switch, and pan for clogs and overflow staining
• Check filter condition and size; note dirty coils where visible
• Inspect visible ductwork for crushed runs, disconnected joints, and condensation
• Verify refrigerant suction line insulation is intact
• Confirm thermostat operation in each mode
• Verify service disconnect present at the condenser
• Check airflow at registers in every room

Interior

• Scan walls and ceilings for stains; take moisture readings at anything suspect
• Operate a representative sample of windows; note broken seals and hardware
• Check doors for latch, alignment, and evidence of movement (rubbing, trimmed tops)
• Note flooring damage, soft spots, and tile cracks (correlate with structure findings)
• Check stairs — riser consistency, handrails, guardrail spacing
• Operate fireplace damper; inspect firebox and hearth clearances
• Test built-in appliances included in scope
• Verify bathroom exhaust fans operate and vent to the exterior
• Check for safety glazing markings at hazardous locations (tub/shower, near doors)
• Test a sample of lights and switches in each room

Attic, Insulation & Ventilation

• Access every attic space that can be entered safely; document any inaccessible areas
• Note framing type (truss vs. stick) and look for cut, broken, or repaired members
• Inspect roof decking from below for staining, delamination, and daylight at penetrations
• Record insulation type and average depth; note voids and compressed areas
• Verify ventilation path — soffit intake clear of insulation, ridge/static exhaust present
• Confirm bath and dryer vents terminate at the exterior, not in the attic
• Look for open electrical splices and junction boxes without covers
• Check around every roof penetration for active or past leak evidence
• Note signs of rodents or pests (droppings, nesting, chewed wiring)
• Inspect HVAC equipment and ductwork located in the attic

Before you start

A 4-point is not a home inspection — it's an insurance document covering four systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. The carrier wants three things for each system: what it is, how old it is, and whether it works without hazards — every claim supported by a labeled photo. Here's what I document for each system so the underwriter never has to call and ask. (Our 4-point software page covers how VantaHaus fills the form itself.)

Roof

• Covering type for each roof section and year installed (pull the permit date where available)
• Overview photo of every slope plus a close-up of the covering
• Your opinion of remaining useful life — carriers read this line first
• Any active leaks, prior repairs, or visible damage, photographed

Electrical

• Panel brand and model with a clear photo of the label and dead front
• Service amperage and breaker vs. fuse
• Branch wiring type — copper, aluminum, cloth-insulated — with a photo of visible wiring
• Panel brands and wiring types your carriers commonly flag, called out explicitly if present
• Any hazards: double taps, scorching, open splices, missing covers

Plumbing

• Supply and drain piping materials, each with a photo
• Polybutylene — specifically confirm present or not present
• Water heater age with a photo of the data plate
• Active leaks or evidence of past leaks, photographed
• Main shutoff location and condition

HVAC

• System type and age from the data plate, with photo (air handler and condenser)
• Confirmation the system produces both heating and cooling
• Overall condition and any deficiencies (condensate issues, rust, non-function)
• Note if any portion of the home lacks central conditioning

The shots you need for each question

A wind mit lives or dies on its photos — an unsupported answer is a credit the carrier can refuse. This is my shot list for each of the seven questions on the OIR-B1-1802.

1. Building code

• Screenshot or copy of the permit record showing application date (property appraiser / permit portal)
• Any documentation supporting year built or roof permit year

2. Roof covering

• Overview photo of each roof slope
• Close-up of each covering material
• Permit record or product approval documentation for the covering, if relied on

3. Roof deck attachment

• Attic photo showing the deck nailing pattern with a tape measure or ruler in frame
• Close-up of a nail shiner showing nail diameter
• Photo establishing deck material and thickness

4. Roof-to-wall attachment

• Clear photo of the connection type (toe nail, clip, single wrap, double wrap)
• Fastener count visible — the number of nails in the clip/strap matters
• For wraps: photos showing the strap on both sides of the truss/rafter
• Multiple locations, not just one lucky truss

5. Roof geometry

• Photo of the roof from each elevation of the home
• For hip credit: measurements documenting non-hip features against total perimeter
• Aerial or satellite capture as a supporting exhibit where helpful

6. Secondary water resistance (SWR)

• Attic photo of self-adhering membrane or sealed deck seams where visible
• Product documentation or permit evidence if the SWR isn't visually verifiable

7. Opening protection

• Photo of every opening elevation — windows, doors, skylights, garage
• Label or etching close-up for each protection type (shutter labels, impact-glass etch marks)
• Garage door label showing pressure/impact rating
• Note any single unprotected opening — one miss changes the classification