Punchlist Home Inspection: How To Do

A "punch list" is the list of mistakes that you find after the house is supposed to be "turn key" finished (ready to move in)--a list of things that make you want to punch the contractor.

Do it. Do it right.

• Do not rush.
• Do not be too "nice" (a pushover).
• Do not rely on anyone's "preferred" inspectors: House problems mean a lower price which means a lower commission for your realtor, so some people consider "preferred" inspectors to be a list of whom NOT to pick from the Yellow Pages.
  
• Do not trust your "professional" inspector completely: Check all structural items and at least spot check other "already inspected" items.
• Bring a 3-prong outlet tester, nightlight, and light bulb to check every socket.
• Move furniture/equipment (carefully), or have it moved, to leave no spot unchecked (people like to hide damage).
  
• Ask questions.
• Treat anything that cannot be answered as broken.
• Treat anything that cannot be checked as broken.
• Treat anything "to be done later" as "broken" (unavailable).
• Realize that previously OK items can be broken while installing/fixing other things.
• Pick everyone's brain for both initial and regular maintenance tips.
  
• You only look stupid if you fork over several hundred thousand dollars on blind faith.

http://thehousingbubbleblog.com/?p=1803

http://myopenwallet.blogspot.com/2006/10/closing-punchlist-visit.html

http://www.hadd.com/websites.php

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/personal-finance/shoddy-home-construction-104/overview/index.htm

http://soapbox.millersamuel.com/?p=264