Updated Home Inspection Checklist
By Leigh Martinuzzi | Martinuzzi Property Group – eXp Australia
Home inspections have a way of changing the tone of a deal very quickly. A buyer can feel excited, emotionally invested, and ready to move forward, then one detailed report lands and suddenly the mood shifts. It is rarely about a house needing to be perfect.
What buyers and inspectors are really looking for is reassurance. They want to see that the major systems are functioning, the safety basics have been taken seriously, and the obvious maintenance items have not been left to pile up.
When a home feels cared for, the inspection process tends to feel calmer, cleaner, and far less likely to trigger panic, renegotiation, or a long repair list. For sellers, that is why an updated inspection checklist matters.
Why this checklist matters
A building and pest inspection is often where confidence is either reinforced or shaken. Even small issues can add up on paper. A dripping tap, loose handrail, sticking window, damaged flyscreen, tripping safety switch, or signs of moisture might feel minor on their own, but together they can create the impression that the home has not been maintained.
The goal before inspection is simple. Reduce the easy objections. Handle the obvious items. Make sure the home presents as safe, functional, and well looked after.
This does not mean overcapitalising or rushing into unnecessary renovations. It means being proactive with the things that regularly appear in reports and cause buyers to worry.
Life safety and compliance items
This is the first place I would start.
Across Australia, safety and compliance items carry real weight, but some requirements differ by state and territory. In Queensland, for example, homes being sold or leased already need compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms, and all existing private homes, townhouses, and units must meet the broader standard by 1 January 2027. Pool safety laws also apply to both new and existing pools in Queensland. Safety switches are another big one, and Queensland advises testing them every three months using the test button.
Things to review before inspection:
- – Smoke alarms are present, compliant, clean, and working
- – Pool fences, gates, latches, and signage are in order
- – Handrails, balustrades, and stairs feel secure
- – Safety switches are installed where required and tested
- – Any loose, damaged, or exposed wiring is repaired by a licensed electrician
If you are unsure about a compliance issue, it is usually far better to deal with it before the buyer’s inspector does.
Windows and window treatments
Windows are one of those categories that can generate more comments than people expect.
Inspectors regularly note cracked glass, damaged flyscreens, windows that do not open or close smoothly, failed locks, missing keys, deteriorated seals, and signs of water intrusion around frames. Curtains and blinds are not usually a major defect area, but broken cords, damaged fixings, or missing slats can still contribute to an overall sense of neglect.
Before inspection, check that:
- – Windows open, close, and latch properly
- – Locks work and keys are available
- – Flyscreens are intact
- – There are no obvious cracks or broken panes
- – Window coverings are neat and functional
Electrical quick wins
You do not need to rewire the whole home to improve an inspection report, but the easy wins are worth doing.
Common issues include non-working power points, loose switches, missing cover plates, damaged light fittings, old globes, and untidy wiring around garages or external areas. A buyer may not understand what is minor and what is serious, so even small electrical defects can feel bigger than they are.
A simple pre-inspection electrical tidy-up can include:
- – Replacing blown globes
- – Fixing non-working switches or power points
- – Replacing cracked plates or covers
- – Making sure external lighting works
- – Having a licensed electrician repair any obvious faults
Heating and cooling
Heating and cooling systems are expected to work properly on inspection day. If the property has split systems, ducted air-conditioning, ceiling fans, or heaters, buyers want confidence that everything powers on and operates as it should.
Items often flagged include dirty filters, noisy operation, poor airflow, leaking units, non-working remotes, and ceiling fans that wobble or make unusual sounds.
Check that:
- – Air-conditioning units cool or heat properly
- – Filters are cleaned
- – Ceiling fans operate smoothly
- – Remotes are present and working
- – Any visible leaks or damage are repaired
Plumbing and water-related items
Plumbing is one of the biggest confidence categories in any inspection.
Leaking taps, slow drainage, moisture damage under sinks, loose toilets, worn silicone, low water pressure, rusty fittings, and signs of active water ingress all raise red flags. Even when the issue is small, the word moisture in a report tends to make buyers nervous.
Before inspection:
- – Fix dripping taps and leaking shower heads
- – Clear slow drains
- – Check under sinks for dampness or staining
- – Reseal showers, baths, and wet areas where needed
- – Make sure toilets are secure and flush properly
- – Check outdoor taps and irrigation points
If there has ever been a known plumbing issue, deal with it properly rather than cosmetically.
Kitchen items that get flagged
Kitchens are heavily scrutinised because there are so many moving parts.
The usual culprits include loose handles, damaged cabinetry, broken hinges, drawers that do not close properly, appliances not working, deteriorated sealant, water damage around sinks, and rangehoods that are dirty or non-functional.
This is a good section to keep simple:
- – Test appliances that will remain with the home
- – Repair loose hinges and drawer runners
- – Clean the rangehood and filters
- – Fix leaks around the sink
- – Check cupboard bases for swelling or past water damage
A kitchen does not need to be brand new. It just needs to feel functional and cared for.
Doors, drawers, and garage safety
This category catches sellers out all the time because the issues seem small until they are listed one after another.
Inspectors often note sticking doors, damaged door jambs, misaligned latches, broken stoppers, loose handles, non-working locks, or garage doors that do not reverse properly. Auto-reverse and obstruction response on garage doors can be particularly important from a safety point of view.
Pools and exterior systems
If the home has a pool, spa, irrigation system, outdoor shower, water tank, retaining wall, or external pump equipment, these all contribute to the inspection outcome.
In Queensland, pool owners need to ensure barriers comply with the applicable safety standard, and the QBCC recommends engaging a licensed pool safety inspector if you are unsure about compliance.
Termite and pest considerations
In Australia, pest findings can have an outsized emotional impact on a deal.
Active termites, old termite damage, conducive conditions, excessive timber-to-soil contact, poor subfloor ventilation, damp areas, or garden beds built up against walls can all trigger concern. Sometimes the issue is not active infestation but the conditions that increase the risk.
Smart things to do before inspection:
- – Clear away timber stored against the house
- – Reduce excess garden build-up against walls
- – Repair leaking taps or moisture points
- – Keep weep holes visible where relevant
- – Consider a pre-sale pest inspection if the property has risk factors or a history
Roof and attic items
Roofs and roof spaces matter because buyers know repairs can be expensive.
Common issues include cracked or slipped tiles, rusted metal roofing, loose ridge capping, blocked gutters, signs of past leaks, poor roof space ventilation, deteriorated insulation, or evidence of moisture staining in the ceiling cavity.
Exterior maintenance that shows up on reports
Exterior condition often shapes the buyer’s first impression and the inspector’s notes.
Loose cladding, cracked render, deteriorated paint, rotted timber trim, blocked drainage, unstable fencing, trip hazards, uneven paving, poor grading, and overgrown vegetation against the home can all appear in reports.
Do not forget the sewer line
This one is often overlooked.
A standard building inspection may identify symptoms of drainage problems, but it will not always tell the full story of what is happening inside the sewer line. Tree root intrusion, cracks, poor fall, old pipes, and partial blockages can sit quietly until they become a major expense. Some Australian plumbing specialists specifically recommend CCTV drain or sewer inspections as part of pre-purchase due diligence because camera inspections can reveal existing drain issues that a standard visual inspection may miss.
This is especially worth considering if:
- – The home is older
- – There are large trees near the house
- – Drains have a history of running slowly
- – There has been previous plumbing work or patch repairs
- – The block has unusual drainage conditions
Do not forget the sewer line
This sounds obvious, but it matters more than people think.
If the inspector cannot access parts of the property, the report may contain limitations, exclusions, or recommendations for further investigation. That can create uncertainty for the buyer, even if the issue is purely about access.
Other things worth adding to your checklist
A few final items are easy to miss:
- – Check smoke alarm age and expiry
- – Test exhaust fans in bathrooms and laundry
- – Clean mould from ceilings or wet areas and deal with the cause
- – Make sure all permanent fixtures included in the sale are working
- – Gather manuals, warranties, and service records where possible
- – Consider a pre-sale building and pest inspection for older or more complex homes
In Queensland, smoke alarms must be less than 10 years old, photoelectric, and compliant with the relevant Australian Standard, with specific rules already applying to homes being sold or leased.
Overall, a good inspection outcome is rarely about having a flawless home. It is about reducing doubt.
When buyers walk away from an inspection feeling that the home has been maintained, the systems are working, and the obvious issues have already been addressed, the whole deal tends to feel more stable. That usually means fewer repair demands, less renegotiation, and a smoother path to settlement.
If you are preparing to sell, a practical pre-inspection checklist can be one of the simplest ways to protect your position and present your home with confidence.
At Martinuzzi Property Group, we’re here to deliver more than a sale. We guide you with radical honesty, exceptional communication, and a stress-free experience, backed by calm confidence, local expertise, and genuine care so you feel informed, supported, and in control from day one to sold.
👉 Get in touch with us today and and let’s give you fantastic results that you deserve.
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