Attic Inspection Checklist: Know What to Expect

An unfinished attic is one of those areas that seems to serve little purpose to your home. But with an annual attic inspection, you can make this seemingly uninteresting space a place with a positive impact on your comfort levels—even if you’re not sitting up there. 

In this guide, we’ll cover why you need an attic inspection, what happens during one, and if you should call a home inspector for it.

What Is an Attic Inspection?

On the surface, it might seem that your attic’s main purpose is for storage purposes (hello, Christmas decor). But it serves a much bigger one, like ensuring your home is energy-efficient and that your roof has support. 

The purpose of an inspection is to ensure your attic is in top shape. Plus, it’ll help you identify any problem areas that need work. That’s why whether you’re looking to sell your home or just focusing on its upkeep, call a local home inspection company to inspect your attic at least once a year.

Who to Call for an Attic Inspection?

An experienced, licensed home inspector will know exactly what they’re looking for and identify any problems, where they might be coming from, and an action plan for you to follow. And we highly recommend an official report if you’re about to sell your home.

The average price of a professional attic inspection is $200 to $500. An additional perk of hiring a home inspector is they can also check other areas of your home while there.

Attic Inspection Checklist

With all your other household to-dos (like that basement inspection you need), an attic inspection isn’t something you’re probably looking forward to. But knowing what to expect can help you feel more in control of your inspection. Plus, completing it might give you the push you’ve been looking for to finish your attic.

Here’s what you can expect to be checked during an attic inspection:

Insulation

Photo: Alekss / Adobe Stock

Your attic insulation plays a significant role in your home’s temperature and whether it’s energy-efficient. If you don’t have much insulation in your attic, you’re likely to experience hotter summers and colder winters and your HVAC system will have to work overtime to regulate the temperature. That can cost money. 

Here’s a checklist of what your pro will look for during an inspection:

• Insulation’s condition

• Evidence of moisture damage

• If your insulation is up to code

If needed, your attic insulation contractor will recommend whether you need to add more insulation (and how much) or if it’s time to look into other types of attic insulation. The average attic insulation cost is $1,700 to $2,100.

Ventilation

Every room in your home needs proper ventilation, including your attic. But it’s difficult to tell how ventilated your attic is if you hardly go up there. 

Here’s a checklist of what your pro is looking for when checking for proper attic ventilation: 

• Stuffy, humid air

• Moisture damage, such as mold, rust, ice dams, and wood rot

• Debris

• Evidence of or potential for pest

• Number of vents

• Type of vent (and whether a different one might be better for your attic)

• Vents’ location

Leaks

Whether it’s from a roof, chimney, vents, or attic appliances, water damage can lead to costly repairs. Repairing water damage costs $3.75 to $7 per square foot. That’s why checking for leaks is a key part of an attic inspection—to help you avoid those costs. 

An inspector will look for: 

• Water stains

• Mold

• Wood rot

• Insulation damage

• Deteriorated chimney flashing

Pests

Attic inspections will also tell you if you have more house occupants than intended. No one wants pests or rodents in their home, but these unwelcome guests can enter your attic through an unknown entrance and make it their home. 

An inspector will search for common signs they’re present: 

• Droppings

• Nests

• Damaged insulation

• Dead pests or rodents 

Structural Damage

Checking your home’s structure is one of the most important components of your attic inspection. Roof damage can be a hefty fee, but by doing routine inspections, you can catch any problem early and minimize the damage and repair costs. On average, roof repairs cost $1,100. 

A pro will also check for structural damage to the: 

• Wooden trusses

• Rafters

• Overall framing

How Often Should Your Attic Be Inspected?

To stay on top of these issues, you should have your attic inspected at least once a year. Your attic’s health is a good indicator of problems that require your immediate attention. However, to help catch leaks early and prevent unwanted guest from making a home, you should have your attic checked every six months, in the spring and winter.