☐ Phone (camera + video)
☐ Flashlight
☐ Small ruler or coin (photo scale)
☐ Level (or level app)
☐ Moisture meter (if available)
☐ Notes app / notebook
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Printable Inspection Checklist
Use this comprehensive checklist during your onsite visit
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ADU Onsite Inspection – Simplified Checklist
1️⃣ Bring (Minimal Kit)
☐ Phone (camera + video)
☐ Flashlight
☐ Small ruler or coin (photo scale)
☐ Level (or level app)
☐ Moisture meter (if available)
☐ Notes app / notebook
2️⃣ Structural Red Flags (5–10 min)
### Walls & Ceilings
☐ New or widened cracks since last visit
☐ Cracks near doors/windows
☐ Cracks at ceiling-wall junctions
☐ Horizontal or diagonal cracks (flag)
📸 Take:
- 1 wide shot per room
- Close-up of each crack with scale
Crack size estimate:
☐ Hairline (<1/16")
☐ Moderate (1/16"–1/4")
☐ Severe (>1/4")
Notes: ___
### Floors
☐ Floor feels sloped or uneven
☐ Ball rolls on floor
☐ Doors rubbing floor
Notes: ___
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3️⃣ Doors & Alignment (5 min)
For each door that won't close:
☐ Photo of door closed
☐ Photo of gap
☐ Gap looks similar across multiple doors? (structural sign)
☐ Hinges loose or sagging
Quick judgment:
☐ Likely installation issue
☐ Likely movement/settling
Notes: ___
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4️⃣ Water Intrusion (Critical – 10 min)
### Visual
☐ Water stains on walls or ceiling
☐ Baseboards swollen or warped
☐ Musty smell
☐ Window seal damaged
📸 Photograph:
- Window (inside & outside)
- Stains
- Baseboards
### Moisture (if meter available)
☐ Dry reference wall: ___%
☐ Suspect area: ___%
Interpretation:
- <10% normal
- 10–15% elevated
- 15%+ concerning
Notes: ___
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5️⃣ Fire Sprinkler / Water Tank Access (2 min)
☐ Access door fully closed
☐ Lock present & functional
☐ No water or debris inside
☐ Tank looks secure (no leaks/rust)
📸 Photo of access panel
Notes: ___
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6️⃣ Quick Systems Sanity Check (10 min)
### Windows
☐ All open & close
☐ Locks work
### Plumbing
☐ Run all faucets
☐ Flush toilets
☐ Look under sinks
### Electrical
☐ Lights work
☐ Outlets power device
☐ GFCI test
### HVAC
☐ Turns on
☐ Air from vents
Notes: ___
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7️⃣ Exterior (5 min)
☐ Ground slopes away from unit
☐ No standing water near foundation
☐ Siding intact (no gaps)
☐ Gutters/downspouts clear
📸 Foundation + drainage photo
Notes: ___
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8️⃣ Photo Rules (Very Important)
☐ One wide shot per room
☐ One close-up per issue
☐ Always include scale
☐ Short video walkthrough (1–2 min total)
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9️⃣ Compare to Last Visit
Last visit: 2025-12-26
☐ Same
☐ Worse
☐ Improved
☐ New issue
Key changes noted:
Cracks: ___
Doors: ___
Water: ___
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🔟 Findings Summary (Write This Onsite)
### 🚨 Critical (stop-the-line)
___
___
### ⚠️ Needs follow-up
___
___
### 👀 Monitor
___
___
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1️⃣1️⃣ Next Actions
☐ Backup photos immediately
☐ Organize by room
☐ Send written summary (same day)
☐ Request specialist if needed:
☐ Structural engineer
☐ Mold / water specialist
☐ Contractor correction
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Inspector Signature: ___
Follow-up Needed: [ ] Yes [ ] No