Land & Outbuildings Inspection

A focused inspection of the property’s visible yard areas, slopes, retaining walls, fencing, garden structures, greenhouses, and detached outbuildings.

Important note: The Basic Inspection includes a limited grading observation up to approximately 10 feet from the foundation to look for possible water retention or drainage concerns near the home. This package expands the review to the larger property grading, slope, and land features.

Includes:

  • Front and back yard condition review

  • Full visible slope and grading observation

  • Retaining wall condition check

  • Fence and gate condition review

  • Garden boxes and greenhouse inspection

  • Detached garage, shed, and outbuilding review

  • Walkways, patios, and visible trip hazards

  • Exterior stairs, railings, and landings where present

  • Visible erosion, settlement, or drainage concern indicators

  • Organized photo-based report with recommendations

Does not include: sprinkler systems, wells, pools, ponds, water features, septic systems, underground drainage, buried utilities, or any other underground systems.

Land & Outbuildings Inspection

Our Land & Outbuildings Inspection is designed for clients who want a more complete review of the property beyond the main home. This inspection focuses on the visible and accessible condition of the yard, slopes, grading, retaining walls, fencing, garden areas, greenhouses, and detached outbuildings such as sheds or separate garages.

Header Disclaimer / Scope Notice

As part of the Basic Inspection, we include a limited grading observation up to approximately 10 feet from the foundation. That limited review is intended to identify visible conditions that may allow water to collect near the home or slope toward the foundation.

The Land & Outbuildings Inspection expands beyond that limited foundation-area review. This package includes a broader visual inspection of the property’s slopes, grading, drainage patterns, exterior land features, retaining walls, fencing, garden structures, greenhouses, and detached outbuildings.

This service does not include inspection of sprinkler systems, wells, pools, ponds, water features, septic systems, underground drainage systems, buried utilities, or other underground systems.

What We Inspect

Front and Back Yard Areas

We inspect the visible and accessible yard areas for general condition, safety concerns, and maintenance issues.

Includes:

  • Front yard review

  • Back yard review

  • Side yard areas where accessible

  • Visible settlement or erosion concerns

  • Low spots where water may collect

  • Uneven ground or trip hazards

  • Soil movement indicators

  • Overgrown vegetation affecting structures, fencing, or access

  • General exterior safety concerns

Full Slope and Grading Observation

This package includes a broader look at visible grading and slope conditions across the property.

Includes:

  • Yard slope direction

  • Areas that appear to drain toward structures

  • Areas where water may collect or remain trapped

  • Erosion paths

  • Washed-out soil areas

  • Low points near outbuildings, fencing, or retaining walls

  • Visible grading concerns away from the main foundation

  • Slope conditions that may affect use, maintenance, or drainage

This is a visual observation only. We do not perform engineering calculations, soil testing, land surveying, or underground drainage verification.

Retaining Walls

We inspect visible retaining walls for signs of movement, failure, or deterioration.

Includes:

  • Leaning or bowing

  • Cracking

  • Separation or displacement

  • Drainage concerns around retaining walls

  • Soil pressure indicators

  • Material deterioration

  • Loose blocks, stones, timbers, or fasteners

  • Safety concerns near walking areas or structures

Retaining wall concerns may require review by a qualified contractor or engineer, especially if the wall is tall, load-bearing, heavily cracked, leaning, or supporting a structure.

Fencing and Gates

We inspect visible fencing and gates for condition, operation, and safety concerns.

Includes:

  • Fence leaning or displacement

  • Damaged panels, posts, rails, or pickets

  • Loose or deteriorated materials

  • Gate operation

  • Latch and hinge condition

  • Fence contact with soil or vegetation

  • Missing sections or security concerns

  • Visible safety concerns around yards, pets, or access points

Garden Boxes and Greenhouses

We inspect garden boxes, raised beds, and greenhouse structures for visible damage and general condition.

Includes:

  • Garden box deterioration

  • Rot, cracking, or loose materials

  • Soil contact damage

  • Greenhouse framing condition

  • Greenhouse panel damage

  • Door and vent operation where accessible

  • Visible moisture or drainage concerns around garden structures

  • Stability and safety concerns

This inspection does not include soil quality testing, plant health evaluation, irrigation inspection, pest treatment evaluation, or agricultural production assessment.

Detached Garages, Sheds, and Outbuildings

We inspect visible and accessible outbuildings located on the property.

Includes:

  • Detached garage exterior and interior condition

  • Shed exterior and interior condition

  • Visible foundation or floor concerns

  • Wall, siding, trim, and roof condition where safely visible

  • Door and window operation

  • Visible structural movement or settlement indicators

  • Moisture intrusion signs

  • Interior wall, ceiling, and floor condition

  • Basic ventilation concerns

  • General safety concerns

Electrical, plumbing, heating, or other systems inside outbuildings may be noted if visible, but full system diagnostics are not included unless separately agreed upon.

Walkways, Patios, Exterior Stairs, and Railings

We inspect visible walking surfaces and exterior access features for damage and safety concerns.

Includes:

  • Walkways and paths

  • Patios and exterior slabs

  • Exterior steps

  • Handrails and guardrails

  • Landings

  • Uneven surfaces

  • Cracking, lifting, or settlement

  • Loose materials

  • Trip and fall hazards

What This Inspection Does Not Include

This package is specifically limited to visible yard, land, grading, fencing, retaining wall, garden structure, greenhouse, and outbuilding conditions.

It does not include:

  • Sprinkler systems

  • Irrigation systems

  • Wells

  • Pools

  • Hot tubs

  • Ponds

  • Water features

  • Septic systems

  • Underground drainage systems

  • French drains

  • Buried utilities

  • Underground electrical, gas, sewer, or water lines

  • Soil testing

  • Land surveying

  • Engineering analysis

  • Property boundary verification

  • Pest inspection

  • Environmental testing

  • Tree health evaluation

  • Landscaping design evaluation

Report and Documentation

You will receive an organized report covering visible findings from the land and outbuilding inspection.

Includes:

  • Photos of notable concerns

  • Clear descriptions of observed conditions

  • Location-based notes including access limitations

  • Safety and maintenance concerns

  • Recommendations for monitoring, repair, or specialist review

  • Easy-to-read organization by yard area, structure, or feature

Disclaimer

Land & grading: Observations are visual only. We do not perform land surveying, engineering analysis, soil testing, drainage testing, or underground system verification.

Outbuildings: Detached garages, sheds, greenhouses, and other outbuildings are inspected only where visible, accessible, and safe.

Excluded systems: Sprinklers, irrigation, wells, pools, ponds, septic systems, water features, underground drainage, buried utilities, and other underground systems are not included in this inspection.

Safety/access: Areas may be excluded if blocked, unsafe, locked, heavily overgrown, structurally unstable, weather-affected, or otherwise inaccessible. This will be noted in the report if circumstances occured.

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