Home inspectors record the findings of their inspection in a document called The Home Inspection Report.
Home inspection report is one of the most important components of the process of home inspection because it is the only documented record of the inspection. Inspection reports are usually delivered within a day or two of the inspection. It can either be a soft report i.e. pdf format or printed on a paper.
Except for those who work in the real estate industry, a home inspection report is a document that most people see once or twice in their lives. Findings of this document can easily make or break a deal. So it is important that home buyers/sellers know how to read and understand it.
This article aims to explain what a standard home inspection report is and how to read and understand it.
Let us begin with the structure of the home inspection report.
THE STRUCTURE OF A TYPICAL HOME INSPECTION REPORT
Title page
The report begins with a title page which has the following information.
Name of the inspector or inspecting company
Name of the client
Address of the property
Date of inspection
Type of property
Size of the property
Weather conditions
Introduction
The next page(s) is the introduction. This is where the inspector explains to the client/reader the aims and objectives of the report and what to expect.
Almost every inspector uses symbols and codes to indicate the condition of areas and systems they inspect. In the introduction section a legend is given for the client/reader to understand those codes and symbols.
Table Of Contents
Not everyone has a table of contents but it is an indication of a thorough report. Table of contents is a list of sections with corresponding page numbers for readers to navigate with ease.
Summary
Summary is a very important component of an inspection report. Every house, even brand new houses have defects. Some of those defects are minor and cosmetic which require easy fix and do not cost much. Some defects are of serious concern and require a lot of time, effort and money to fix. Home inspectors record all defects that they observe and make them part of their reports. In the summary section they include only major concerns and defects.
During negotiations, It is easier to refer to the summary rather than going through dozens of pages of the report.
Contents
This is the longest section of the report. Inspectors include all their observations and findings in this section. Issues discovered are described and pictures, videos and thermographic images are also included to help readers easily understand. In addition to that, corrective measures are also recommended.
Home inspection is a non-invasive and visual examination and if a home inspector is suspicious and unsure about something it is not uncommon for them to recommend further investigation for an issue by an expert. For example, if the inspector sees signs of flooding and suspects presence of mold, a further investigation by a mold expert will be recommended.
Conclusion
This section highlights key points and observations, recommended actions and next steps.
Glossary
Real estate and construction, like any other industry, has a lot of technical jargon. People not related to this industry will not understand unless plain language is used. Glossary is the section where technical terms are listed in alphabetical order along with their meaning or definition.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD HOME INSPECTION REPORT
One of the characteristics that sets a good inspector apart is their inspection report. Let’s say the client has attended the inspection, it is unlikely that they will remember every detail. If they were not present for the inspection, an inspection report is the only way they will learn about what is wrong with the property they are about to invest in. In both cases a good inspection report will enable them to make an informed decision which for many is the biggest financial decision of their lives.
Detailed
A good inspection report has to be detailed, thorough and descriptive. It should not be a template filled out by checking boxes. Observation should be explained using sentences. Most obsessive inspectors are the best ones because they pay attention to detail and document all the details in their reports.
Home inspection experts say for an average sized house the minimum length of the report is 30 pages and it can go as long as 70 pages.
Simple & Easy To Understand Language
A good report avoids technical terminology and abbreviations, unless properly explained. If there are technical issues, a good report will break it down into simpler terms for all readers to understand.
Summary
The standard structure of an inspection report includes a summary section. The summary section of a good report rates issues in terms of their severity so that home owners and buyers can prioritize tasks accordingly. Especially in the case of home buyers, an inspection report is the tool they use for negotiations. Major concerns highlighted in summary helps.
Pictures and Videos
A good report includes a lot of pictures and videos are also included where necessary. Pictures give the most accurate idea to the reader of the report about the type, the location, and the severity of the issue being reported.
If the home owner/ buyer does not attend the inspection, the written description alone can get them confused. Pictures and videos avoid that possibility.
Typed not handwritten
A good inspection is typed and not handwritten. There are hardly any inspectors who still deliver handwritten reports. It has become common for inspectors to take notes on their tablet computers during the inspection and prepare a report later on.
Corrective Measures & Maintenance Recommendations
In addition to discovering all the flaws and defects in the property a good report offers recommendations for corrective measures and maintenance.
Most homeowners and buyers do not belong to the real estate or construction industry. Just telling them about the defects in the property is only half the job. Recommending corrective measures educates them on what to negotiate before the sale is closed or how to fix those defects before placing the property up for sale.
Safety Improvements & Best Practices
Issues are not always about maintenance and construction. Sometimes the home owners need guidance and education about how to develop habits that can avoid potentially dangerous situations. A good report also educates homeowners about safety and best practices.
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