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Allow between 2 – 3 hours for the inspection, depending on the size of your home. To provide the inspector and the purchaser the privacy to discuss the merits of the home freely, visit a friend or relative, or take the kids out for a bite to eat or to a movie during the inspection.

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Try not to have dogs or other pets in the house during the inspection, or at least confine them to a cage to prevent possible bites or escapes out the door while the inspector is coming and going.

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Make sure all the utilities are turned-on and all pilot lights are lit.

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Clear all items obstructing access to the attic and crawl space openings. This is especially important for attic access doors inside closets. Remove enough clothes to make room for a ladder and cover the remaining clothes with a sheet to prevent them from being soiled by falling insulation or other debris. Also move any cars blocking access to the garage attic area.

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Provide clear access to all areas, systems and components, including the electric panel, furnace, sump pit, etc.

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Have the furnace and air-conditioning units cleaned prior to the inspection.

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Check for and replace any burned out light bulbs to avoid “inoperable fixture” notations on the inspection report. Note any switches that are not connected.

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Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replace batteries as necessary

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Remove clothes from inside and above the washer and dryer.

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Empty the dishwasher.

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Remove items from the tops of toilet tanks.

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Repair all missing or broken hardware, such as doorknobs, locks, window locks, glass panes, screens, gutters, chimney caps, etc.

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Alert the home inspector to any safety issues or anything that should not be operated. Examples: “Don’t operate the basement closet door, because it may fall off its hinges.” Or “Don’t turn off wall switch that operates the computer in the northeast bedroom.”

I will contact you to schedule the inspection when the buyers’ agent has informed me of their preference. If you have any questions or concerns, let me know.