Home inspection guides and free tools
Prepare for each stage of a property review—from the first walkthrough to specialist inspections and repair negotiations.
Start with your decision stage
- Before an offer: document visible conditions without delaying professional advice.
- During the contingency: understand scope, exclusions, and specialist referrals.
- After the report: prioritize safety, obtain written estimates, and follow contract deadlines.
- For specialized risks: arrange the appropriate test or specialist inspection.
Free tools you can use today
Prepare a viewing checklist, read an illustrative report and build a repair budget from your own quotes. These website tools are free to use without an account.
- Before a viewing: use the pre-offer checklist and download your notes.
- Before an inspection: organize questions by room and system.
- After receiving estimates: total repair costs and your chosen contingency.
- To understand a report: read the filled illustrative record and download a blank template.
Authorship and review
Published by Castilho Enterprises.
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Explore this section
A home inspection checklist for buyers
Use a room-by-room buyer checklist, see what inspectors look for, and add checks for older homes, condos and new construction. Download your notes.
Read resourceHouse tour checklist: what to look for before you make an offer
A 38-item house tour checklist: check the street, layout, visible condition and systems at a viewing, ask the seller the right questions and save your notes.
Read resourceHow much does a home inspection cost?
Compare published US inspection prices, see a worked budget with add-ons, and use a practical checklist to request comparable local quotes.
Read resourceHow Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
Plan for a typical 2–4 hour home inspection, allow for the report and specialist follow-up, and see a sample appointment schedule.
Read resourceHow to negotiate repairs after a home inspection
Organize findings and estimates before requesting repairs or credits, check your contingency deadlines, and decide when walking away makes sense.
Read resourceIllustrative walkthrough report
Read fictional teaching examples, learn to read a report, and download a blank template.
Read resourceRepair budget calculator
Add your estimates and download an itemized budget.
Read resource