PDI Report › Older home inspection
Home inspection for older and resale homes
Book a verified home inspector or civil engineer to check an older home before you buy. Structure, roof, damp, termites, wiring, plumbing and papers, with photos.
Older homes come with hidden costs: roof leaks, termites, old wiring and pipes, damp walls and past repairs nobody mentions. A verified home inspector or civil engineer checks the structure and every system, so you know what you are buying and what to negotiate.
What can go wrong
- Roof leaks and failed waterproofing
- Termite and pest damage
- Old or unsafe wiring and rusted pipes
- Damp walls, cracks and settlement
- Unclear title, unpaid tax or society dues
How it works
1
Book in two minutes
Tell us what to check, the address and the date. Confirm your email with a 6-digit code.
2
A verified expert visits
A mechanic, engineer, inspector or surveyor near you calls, then checks every item on the list with you.
3
You get the report
A clear verdict, every issue with photos and notes, and what to ask the seller to fix before you sign.
The full checklist: 109 checks
The expert marks each check as OK, Issue or N/A, with notes and photos. Checks marked with a label only apply to that type.
Papers and approvals
- Layout matches the approved planRoom sizes, door and window positions.
- Occupancy certificate (OC) seenIndiaA full OC, not partial, naming this building and flat.
- Permits for additions and renovationsUSA
- Title, encumbrance and dues are clearIn India, the EC and society no-dues letter. In the US, the title report.
- Property tax paid up to date
Size and layout
- Carpet area measuredShould be within about 3% of the agreement.
- Room sizes match the brochure
- Ceiling height is the same in every roomWatch for low beams or dropped ceilings.
- Balcony and utility area as promised
- Walls straight and corners square
Walls and ceiling
- Cracks in wallsHairline cracks near windows are common. Wide or diagonal ones are not.
- Cracks or sagging in the ceiling
- Beams and columns: no cracks, no exposed steel
- Damp patches, seepage or water stainsUse a moisture meter on outside walls and behind bathrooms.
- White salt patches (efflorescence)A sign of water getting into the wall.
- Hollow plaster (tap test)
- Plaster is smooth and even
- Paint finish: patches, peeling, stains
- Termite or pest damageMud tubes, hollow wood, droppings.
Floors and tiles
- Hollow tiles (tap test)Hollow tiles crack later.
- Cracked or chipped tiles
- Tile joints and grouting are even
- Tiles match in shade and pattern
- Floor is levelUse a spirit level, or roll a marble.
- Skirting is fixed and even
- Anti-skid tiles in bathrooms and balcony
Doors and windows
- Doors open, close and lock smoothly
- Main door: lock, peephole, door closer
- Door frames: gaps, damage, termite signs
- Handles, hinges and door stoppers
- Windows slide, lock and seal
- Glass has no cracks, and double glazing isn't fogged
- Mosquito mesh, if promised
- Grills and railings are firmBalcony railings should be about 1 m (3.5 ft) high.
Waterproofing and drainage
- Bathroom and balcony floors slope to the drainPour water and watch where it goes.
- No damp below or beside bathrooms
- Bathroom step keeps water inside
- Floor drains clear quicklyA bucket of water should drain in about 2 minutes.
- Window and frame joints are sealed
- Balcony and terrace waterproofing
- Top floor: no stains from the terrace aboveApartments
Plumbing
- Water flow in every tap and showerRun several taps at once.
- No leaks under sinks or around fittings
- Taps don't drip when closed
- Drains empty fast, no gurgling or sewer smell
- Toilets flush, refill and are firmly fixed
- Concealed cisterns and flush valves don't leak
- Hot water reaches every bathroom
- Water heater: age, safety valve, earthing
- Pipe material and age: no old rusted pipesOld galvanised or polybutylene pipes need replacing.
- Main water shutoff valve is easy to reach
- Water supply and storage tank
- Water is clear with no smell
Electrical
- Every switch, socket and fan regulator worksUse a socket tester.
- Sockets are wired correctlyA socket tester shows reverse polarity or missing earth.
- Earthing is correctAsk for the earthing test certificate.
- Breaker board is labelled and the RCCB or GFCI trips on test
- GFCI sockets near water, AFCI in bedroomsUSA
- Light, fan and AC points as per plan
- 15A points for AC and geyserIndia
- No loose or exposed wiring
- Wiring age and conditionOld aluminium or cloth wiring, too few sockets, burn marks.
- Sanctioned load fits your AC and appliancesIndia
- Power backup and inverter wiring, if promisedIndia
- Electricity meter and connection
- TV, internet and intercom points work
- Doorbell and video door phone
Kitchen and bathrooms
- Kitchen counter: cracks, level, edge finish
- Sink, tap and drain
- Cabinets and drawers open and close properly
- Gas line and valve: no smell, leak test done
- Kitchen exhaust and chimney points
- Bathroom exhaust fans work
- Mirrors, shower, health faucet and accessories are firm
- Built-in appliances work: hob, oven, dishwasher
- Wardrobes and woodwork finish
Cooling, heating and air
- AC units cool and drain properly
- Heating system worksUSA
- Furnace and AC age, filter conditionUSAAge is printed on the unit label.
- Air flows from vents in every roomUSA
- Dryer vent goes outside, not into the atticUSA
- Rooms get fresh air with no stale or musty smell
Roof and outside
- Roof covering: missing, cracked or curled piecesHouses
- Roof leaks and waterproofing age
- Flashing around chimneys, vents and skylightsHouses
- Gutters and downspouts drain away from the houseHouses
- Attic: leak stains, insulation, ventilationHousesUSA
- Foundation: cracks, settlement, dampHouses
- Ground slopes away from the houseHouses
- Outside walls: cracks and finish
- Siding, trim and fascia: rot or gapsHousesUSA
- Compound wall and gateHousesIndia
- Sump, overhead tank and borewellHousesIndia
- Deck, porch and outside stairs are firmHouses
- Septic tank or sewer lineHouses
Safety
- Smoke alarms work (and CO alarms in the US)
- Fire extinguishers, sprinklers and fire exitsApartments
- Fire NOC issued for the buildingApartmentsIndia
- Stairs and handrails are safe
- Garage door stops and reverses when blockedHousesUSA
- Bedroom windows open wide enough to get out in an emergencyUSA
Common areas
- Lifts work and the licence is displayedApartments
- Parking spot as allotted and usable
- Sewage and water treatment plants workApartmentsIndia
- CCTV, intercom and securityApartments
- EV charging point, if promised
- Society dues, maintenance charges and rulesApartments
Handover
- Keys, remotes and access cards handed over
- Meter readings recorded: power, water, gas
Questions
What does a home inspection cover?
Papers and approvals, size and layout, walls and ceilings, floors, doors and windows, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical, kitchens and bathrooms, cooling and heating, the roof and outside, safety and common areas.
Is this the same as a US home inspection?
It covers the same systems a standard US home inspection does, including the roof, attic, foundation, HVAC and safety items, plus papers that matter in India.
How long does it take?
Two to four hours for most homes, depending on size.
What if the inspection finds problems?
Use the report to ask the seller for repairs, a lower price, or time to get quotes before you commit.
Check it before you sign for it
Available in India and the USA. We confirm the fee with you before the visit.
Book a home check