Selling your home is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of boxes to tick, one of the most important being the home inspection. Whether you’re planning a pre-listing home inspection or preparing for a buyer’s surveyor, understanding what’s involved can help avoid surprises later.
Here’s everything you need to know, from what a home inspection is, what inspectors actually look for, and how to prepare your property for a smooth experience.
What is home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual assessment of a property’s structure, systems, and condition. In the UK, buyers usually arrange this as part of the conveyancing process, but more sellers are now opting for prelisting home inspections to speed things up and build trust.
Home inspections can be carried out by certified home inspectors or surveyors and help identify issues before a sale is finalised. These checks are different from a formal valuation. What do home inspectors do? They look for defects that might affect safety, function, or value.
Importance of pre inspection
So, why is a home inspection important, especially before your home hits the market?
Fewer surprises
Buyers are more confident when they know what they’re getting. A pre-listing home inspection helps you catch potential problems early.
Faster sales
Knowing your home is in good condition means you can list it with confidence and often avoid renegotiations after the buyer’s survey.
Builds trust
It signals transparency and responsibility, giving buyers peace of mind that you’re not hiding anything.
Informed pricing
If repairs are needed, you can reflect them in your pricing strategy or fix them in advance and command a higher asking price.
The benefits of a pre-listing home inspection are especially valuable in competitive markets where buyer confidence matters.
Disclosing known issues
Sellers have a legal duty to answer buyer enquiries truthfully. So, what do you have to disclose when selling a house?
Property disclosure explained
You’re expected to disclose known problems, such as subsidence, damp, or Japanese knotweed, using forms like the TA6 Property Information Form.
Whether it’s part of a formal seller’s disclosure or a verbal conversation, being upfront reduces the risk of a sale falling through. In fact, hiding major issues can lead to legal disputes after completion.
What do home inspectors look for?
Wondering what home inspectors do when they visit? Here’s what they’ll typically check:
- Roof inspection, condition of tiles, flashing, gutters, and chimneys
- Exterior home inspection, walls, windows, doors, drainage, and structural integrity
- Interior home inspection, walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, lofts, and staircases
- Plumbing inspection, pipes, leaks, water pressure, and boiler condition
- Electrical inspection, fuse box, wiring safety, sockets, and switches
- Heating and cooling inspection, central heating, radiators, thermostats, and ventilation
- Home foundation inspection, signs of subsidence, cracks, or uneven flooring
These components form a complete picture of the property’s health. So, if you’ve been wondering “what does a home inspection cover”, it’s essentially everything that could affect comfort, safety, and value.
How to prepare your home for an inspection
Thinking ahead can make a huge difference. Here’s a seller home inspection checklist to help you get ready:
- Declutter key areas, give access to the loft, fuse box, water meter, boiler, and under sink plumbing
- Tidy your garden, inspectors will check external areas, so clear overgrowth and check fences
- Fix minor issues, tighten door handles, replace blown bulbs, silence dripping taps
- Service key systems, have your boiler, alarm, or air source heat pump serviced if due
- Test alarms, make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working
Use this as your DIY home inspection checklist before the pros arrive.
What happens after a home inspection?
Once the inspection is complete, here’s what to expect:
- You’ll receive a report, this outlines the inspector’s findings and any recommended repairs
- Buyers may negotiate, if it was their inspection, they might request a price reduction or ask you to fix issues
- You can take action, if you commissioned the inspection, you can resolve issues before the home goes live on the market
In most cases, a few minor issues aren’t deal breakers. But identifying major concerns early can help avoid stressful last minute surprises.
How to choose a home inspector
Not all inspections are created equal. If you’re hiring someone privately, consider these tips:
- Look for a certified home inspector or qualified RICS surveyor
- Ask for examples of previous reports to gauge detail and clarity
- Choose someone with local experience, especially for older homes or unusual builds
- Read reviews and check credentials
- Confirm they’ll cover both interior and exterior house inspections
This person will play a key role in your sale, so it’s worth choosing carefully.
Getting prepared the right way
Selling your home is easier when you know what’s coming. Understanding what home inspectors look for, how to prepare, and what to expect after the visit helps you stay one step ahead, whether you’re working with a buyer’s survey or investing in a home inspection for sellers yourself.
And while you can’t change everything about your home, a little preparation can make a big difference to how it’s perceived. For friendly advice and local expertise, your Whitegates local branch is here to support you every step of the way.
