Pre-Inspection Checklist (Sellers)...

The home inspector will be checking many systems/components of your home and will be on a very tight schedule, so it is very important that the home is ready for inspection. The buyer (person paying for the inspection) will want to have all of the major systems/components in the home inspected. These systems must be operable and accessible during the inspection. If any system or component is not operable or accessible, the inspector will note this in the report. The buyer may request that these items be re-inspected at a later date, and you may be asked to pay for the re-inspection or re-visit. Listed below is an easy to follow checklist to make sure the home is prepared for the inspection.

• Inspection Time: the average home, depending on the age and square footage, takes about 2.5 to 4 hrs. to perform a thorough home inspection. Homes with swimming pools/spas, detached structures, and complex sprinkler/irrigation systems, which the buyer may request to have inspected, may take longer.
• Utilities: all major utilities (electric, water and gas, if applicable) should be turned on at the property.
• Accessible Areas: clear access to all areas of the home should be provided (interior, exterior, garage, closets, laundry rooms, basements, crawlspaces, pool/spa equipment, etc). Ensure that the attic access doors, utility room doors, storage room doors can be opened. Provide clear access to the attic access spaces, mechanical equipment, water heater(s) and any interior electric panels (those located in garages). Any items blocking GFCI resets, especially in garages, should be removed for access to the outlet.
• Electrical Panels/Controllers/Gates: electrical panels, sprinkler/irrigation controllers, and gates should be unlocked.
• Clothing/Personal Items: clothing and personal items near attic access areas should be protected. Insulation often falls out of these areas when the attic access/scuttle hole is opened. Our inspector(s) are required to clean up any visible insulation that falls from these areas.
• Pets: please secure all pets, if applicable. Any areas occupied by aggressive, unrestrained dogs will not be inspected and will be noted in the inspection report.
• Breakables/Antiques: to prevent accidental breakage, please place all breakables, antiques, and other valuables in a safe place. 
• Property Information: the inspector should be provided with any pertinent information that may affect the property or the inspection.
• Operating Instructions: the inspector should be provided with operating instructions to any special or unique equipment.
• Inoperative/Inactive Systems: please note any system(s) or component(s) that you do not wish to be operated or that are currently inoperable or inactive. Any system or component that is inoperable or inactive will be noted in the inspection report.
• Main Electrical Panel: make sure all functional circuit breakers are in the “ON” position. Any circuit breakers in the “OFF” position will not be activated and will be noted in the inspection report.
• Computer Equipment: it is very important that any computer equipment running, in bedrooms or home offices, be temporarily shut down. This is in case the home is equipped with AFCI breakers in the main electrical panel, that need to tested. These breakers usually control circuits which are located in bedrooms or rooms where home offices are located. 
• Child Proof Electrical Covers: removal of all temporary child proof “plug-in” electrical outlet covers is helpful. Please take appropriate safety precautions while these are removed.
• Gas Appliances: pilot lights and manual gas valves should be on at all functional gas appliances (gas water heaters, gas furnaces, gas ovens/ranges/cook tops, gas fireplaces, gas spa heaters, etc, if applicable).
• Window Coverings: please open all window coverings (drapes, blinds, shades, etc.) and remove any obstructions from window and door openings. This includes secondary window/door locks (clamps, rods).
• Dishwasher: the dishwasher will be run through a typical wash cycle during the inspection.
• Oven/Range/Cook Top: remove any stored items from the oven and the range/cook top.
• Kitchens/Bathrooms: remove items from the tops of toilet tanks, items blocking access to the drain/waste piping under sinks and any items blocking access to the shower/tub area. Remove any dishes from the kitchen sink(s). These dishes can be placed in the dishwasher, along with proper detergent, while the dishwasher is run through its normal cycle.
• Systems/Components: the inspector is required to operate the following: kitchen appliances, heating/cooling systems, any evaporative coolers, all doors (interior/exterior) and windows, overhead garage doors, all plumbing fixtures, switches, outlets, ceiling fans, pool/spa equipment, whirlpools, etc.