Turn Your Home Inspection Report Into a DIY to-Do List
When you buy a home , the inspection report can seem overwhelming – pages and pages of potential problems and recommended fixes. However, this detailed document can be a powerful tool for planning your home improvements.
This hack comes from one of my How I Bought My First Home interviewees , who got advice from his realtor. If you take a PDF of your home inspection results and write down all the individual issues listed, then rank them from most important to least pressing, you’ll end up with a list of your super fun home improvement priorities for the next five years. Here’s how to turn that intimidating PDF into an organized, actionable project plan.
Step 1. Extract all problems
First, review the inspection report line by line and create a general list of each issue identified. Include:
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Specific problem
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Place in your home
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Any comments about severity or urgency
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Estimated cost of repairs (if any)
Then create a spreadsheet with separate columns for each of these details to make sorting later on easier.
Step 2: Classify by priority
Now that you have your spreadsheet, sort all your issues into these four categories:
Critical (review within 1-3 months)
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Security Threats
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Structural problems
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Water damage or active leaks
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Electrical problems
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Any problem that could lead to more serious damage if not addressed.
Important (address for 1 year)
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Problems with the ventilation and air conditioning system
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Plumbing problems
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Roof repair
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Weatherproofing needs
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Increasing energy efficiency
Moderate (review within 2-3 years)
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Cosmetic repairs
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Minor updates
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Worn but functional features
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Improving quality of life
Low priority (review within 3-5 years)
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Purely aesthetic changes
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Additional updates
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Recommendations for further maintenance
Step 3: Create a project schedule.
Now that you’ve ranked your projects by urgency, you can outline individual projects in each category:
Estimate the costs. Research average prices for each repair, adding a 20% reserve for unforeseen problems. Pay attention to which projects require professional help.
Consider seasonality. For example, schedule exterior work during dry months, plan indoor projects for the winter, and schedule HVAC maintenance before peak seasons.
Projects related to the group. Combine projects that use similar materials or tackle one room or area at a time. It’s also important to consider which projects might impact others so you don’t create a major headache for yourself.
Step 4: Create your list of DIYers and DIYers, not contractors.
Evaluate each project based on:
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Required Skill Level
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Required Tools
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Security Considerations
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Commitment of time
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Cost savings compared to professional work
Create two separate lists for “DIY Projects” and “Professional Help Needed.” If you’re new to DIY home renovations, consider starting with small projects. There are many tutorials online, or you can even take courses at your local hardware stores.
Step 5: Create your documentation system
I’m an absolute sucker for keeping track of things on a spreadsheet. Keep a clear head and pat yourself on the back with a project tracking system that includes:
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Project Description
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Priority level
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Planned completion date
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Budget
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Required materials
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Progress notes
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Photos before/after
Final Tips for Success
The key to doing something like home renovation is to stay flexible. You will have to re-evaluate priorities and update budget estimates as needed. As you track your progress, be sure to save your receipts for tax purposes.
Remember that your inspection report is a snapshot in time. Regular home inspections can help you identify new problems before they become serious. Maintain an emergency fund and be prepared to adjust your emergency repair schedule. And of course, some renovations are worth more than others (looking at you, kitchen backsplash). Use this system as a living document that evolves with the needs of your home and your growing DIY experience.