Understanding Inspection Reports

For veteran and experienced inspectors writing a definitive and customized report is not a problem and it is accomplished with every inspection. For newer, inexperienced inspectors this is a completely different story.

No two inspection reports should ever be alike, as every home is different in shape, condition and type. At least that is what is supposed to happen. This is not the case however, with the invention of technology applications incorporating “BOILER PLATE” comments and templates. With these applications, inspectors merely point and click to complete a report. They follow a robotic system: See missed caulking, click missed caulking and a comment populates, see stains, click the stains section and a comment is populated.

But does the content of this comment explain completely what the problems are or could become with YOUR future home? The likelihood is no. Generic boiler plate reports, while they may look professional, at best are completely subjective and rarely provide conclusive guidance to any client or prospective Buyer of a home. In real estate, the only person that would probably like this type of report is the Seller, because rarely does it definitively conclude anything but disclaims everything.

In essence, our industry has made it so easy to complete an inspection report that anyone can do it. It is therefore up to you, the client, to choose the right inspector.

When choosing an inspector, you must qualify their experience, reporting system and the content of the reporting system. Always ask to see a sample of the report they provide. Never leave this up to chance as this is what your informed purchase decision will be made and relied upon!