Home Inspector Tools Checklist: you need THESE essentials

by Joost Nusselder | Updated on:  March 21, 2022
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If you are a home inspector in the making, having just finished your training, your next order of business would be to get your gears in order. As a beginner, naturally, you would have a harder time figuring out exactly which equipment you would want in your arsenal.

When it comes to home inspector tools, there are too many to list in a single article. But thankfully, the basics are pretty minimal and will not cost you a lot of money. Having a clear idea of the essential tools will not only help you save a few bucks but also ensure that you are covered in every inspection scenario.

That being said, in this article, we will take a look at all the essential home inspector tools that you want in your toolbox so that you can be on your way to becoming an expert in the field in no time. Home-Inspector-Tools-Checklist

Essential Home Inspector Tools

If you are on a budget, you would want to start off with the bare minimum at first. The tools listed in the following section are not only useful but also essential to any inspection job. Make sure you have each of the items in your toolbox before taking on a home inspection job.

Rechargeable Flashlight

No matter your level of expertise, you want a high-powered rechargeable flashlight in your inventory. Home inspectors often need to go through the pipelines or attic and check for damages. As you know, those places can be quite dark, and that is where a flashlight would come in handy.

You can also go with headlamps if you want to keep your hands free for other things. Make sure you get a flashlight that has enough power to illuminate the darkest corners. By getting a rechargeable unit, you will save a lot of additional cost of batteries.

Moisture Meter

A moisture meter allows you to check for leaks in the pipelines by checking the level of moisture in the walls. It is one of the most useful tools in the hands of a home inspector. With a good quality wood moisture meter of famous brand, you can check the walls and decide whether the plumbing needs a renovation, or the walls need changing.

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In old houses, damp wall corners are natural, and they do not cause much of an issue. However, with a moisture meter, you can check whether the moisture buildup is active or not, which will, in turn, help you decide your next course of action. This is a piece of highly sensitive equipment that makes a home inspectors’ job a lot easier.

AWL

AWL is just a fancy name for a pointing stick for a home inspector. It has a pointy end that helps you probe and check for rots in the wood. As you should know by now, rotted wood is a common problem in many houses, and it is your job as an inspector to identify it.

This job can be difficult considering how many people choose to paint over the rot. But with your trusty AWL, you can detect it quite easily. Furthermore, you can check the common areas where decay occurs with your tool and see if any of it needs renovating.

Outlet Tester

Checking the condition of power outlets is a part of your job as a home inspector. Without an outlet tester, there is no safe and sure way to do this. Especially if there is an outlet in the house with grounding issues, you will be putting yourself at risk trying to find it. An outlet tester makes this task not only safe but also easy.

We recommend going for a tester that comes with the GFCI test button. With this option, you will be able to check outdoor or kitchen outlets safely. Additionally, if your tester comes with a rubber grip, it means you have added protection against shock or surges.

Utility Pouch

When you are out on the job, naturally, you would take your toolbox with you. If you have a lot of tools in the box, it might become too heavy to lug around the house as you inspect. This is where a utility belt pouch comes in handy. With this type of unit, you can take what you need out of the toolbox and keep the rest of your equipment in the box until you need to use them.

Make sure the pouch itself is lightweight if you want the best experience. You should also check for the maximum amount of pockets to get the most utility out of your tool pouch. Ideally, it should hold at least five to six tools at a time, which is what you need for a typical home inspection job.

Adjustable Ladder

The final tool you would want in your inventory is an adjustable ladder. There is not a single house inspection job that would not require a ladder. If you wish to get to the attic or reach the ceiling to check the light fixtures, an adjustable ladder is a must.

However, a large ladder might be challenging to handle when you are on the job. For this reason, we would recommend a ladder that is small but can be adjusted to reach higher when needed. It would make it easier to handle and also can give you the best use out of it.

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Final Thoughts

As you can see, we kept our list of tools limited to those you would need on every single home inspection job. With these tools, you will be able to tackle almost anything that you encounter when you are on a project. Keep in mind there are many other tools that you can find to make your task even more comfortable. But these products are the bare minimum that you need to start your job.

We hope you found the information in our article on the home inspector tool list useful. You should now have an easier time figuring out which items you want to focus on first before you start investing in other equipment.

I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.