WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN INSPECTION REPORT

Today, a home inspector is bombarded with report types and formats, ranging from preprinted check box “books”, thru a proliferation of computer-generated reports, to prose. The key decision for the inspector is to decide which format/features provide the most direct benefit to the customer. From my experience, these are the key elements to look for in an inspection report:

· Every home inspector should be capable of delivering a legible, comprehensive, written inspection report by the next business day following the inspection.

· This report should contain a summary of the critical and significant findings to complement a complete, detailed report.

· Every item or system in the home that was inspected should be noted as to whether it is “serviceable” or in “working condition” or found to be deficient and why.

· Pictures that help define, explain, or locate the problem area should be imbedded in the report, close to the discussion of the deficiency.

· The summary and, hopefully, the report should be able to be faxed and/or E-mailed easily. For E-mailing, the summary, and report should be in separate files and in an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

Larry Sullivan

www.home-inspection-network.com

www.suncoasthomeinspections.com