Exterior — the first 30 minutes
Site grading and drainage
Soil should slope away from the house at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet. The #1 cause of basement moisture issues in Plymouth is negative grading.
Foundation perimeter
Visible cracks, parge coat condition, basement window wells, settlement evidence at corners and openings.
Roof, gutters, downspouts
Shingle condition, flashing integrity, gutter attachment, downspout discharge location. Where the roof is too steep to walk, we use binoculars or a drone.
Siding, trim, windows, doors
Caulk condition, paint integrity, rot at penetrations, window seal failure.
Attic — typically next
Insulation depth and coverage, ventilation balance, evidence of pest activity, electrical penetrations and air-sealing, signs of moisture intrusion, condition of the underside of the roof deck.
Basement / crawl space
Foundation walls (interior view), floor condition, sump pump operation, moisture evidence at the cove joint, plumbing condition, electrical panel and grounding, HVAC equipment, exposed framing.
Major systems
Electrical
Service entrance and capacity, panel condition, breaker matching, GFCI/AFCI protection in required locations, visible wiring, switches and outlets (statistical sampling), light fixtures.
Plumbing
Water supply pressure, fixture function, water heater, visible piping material identification, drain function at fixtures. Sewer scope is a separate add-on.
HVAC
Furnace operation and combustion safety, AC operation and refrigerant pressure observation, ductwork condition, filter status, thermostat function.
Interior — finishes and built-ins
Doors, windows, walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, fireplaces, built-in appliances. We operate every readily accessible system and note functional issues.
Report assembly
Findings are categorized, photographed, severity-rated, and assembled into a digital report delivered within 24 hours. The report includes summary findings, prioritized recommendations, and full technical detail in the system-by-system breakdown.