How to Prepare for an Inspection: A Homeowner’s Checklist
Whether you’re buying, selling or managing a property, preparing for a building and pest inspection ensures the process is smooth and the report meaningful. At Inspection Nest, we’ve seen how better preparation leads to fewer surprises and clearer outcomes.
Here is a practical checklist tailored for Sydney‑area properties:
Unlock access points. Ensure roof spaces, sub‑floor crawl spaces, garages and external walls are accessible. Clear away stored items, debris or obstructions.
Make sure pets are secured. Dogs and cats can hinder access or delay inspections, so keep them contained.
Clear gutters, drains and downpipes. Inspectors will look for water ingress and drainage issues. Clean gutters and check downpipes to allow full assessment.
Provide documentation. If you have previous reports, maintenance records or warranties for systems (e.g., hot water, air‑conditioning), have them available. This adds context and supports better assessment.
Check safety items. Test smoke alarms, safety switches and pool fencing (if applicable). While the inspection will note these items, being proactive shows good maintenance and avoids surprises.
Clean external areas and trim vegetation. Over‑grown shrubs, clogged gutters or blocked downpipes are common issues that inspectors flag—but many can be easily addressed beforehand.
Being prepared doesn’t mean hiding defects—it means allowing the inspector to do a full job and you to receive the clearest report. At Inspection Nest we value transparent, high‑quality reporting backed by clear photography and pragmatic advice. With a little preparation, your inspection will give you the full picture and help you move forward with confidence.




