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Tips on Reading a Home Inspection Report.
When
interviewing a home inspector, ask the inspector what type of report format he
or she provides. There are many styles of reports used by property inspectors,
including the checklist, computer generated using inspection programs, and the
narrative style.
Some reports are delivered on site and some may take as long as 4 - 6 days for
delivery. All reporting systems have pros and cons. Premier Home Inspection
offers a narrative style computer generated report, normally e-mailed to you
the day following the inspection. A hard copy will also be mailed to you.
The most important issue with an inspection report is the descriptions given
for each item or component. A report that indicates the condition as
"Good", "Fair" or "Poor" without a detailed
explanation is vague and can be easily misinterpreted. An example of a vague
condition would be: Kitchen Sink: Condition - Good, Fair,
or Poor.
None of these descriptions gives the homeowner an idea about what is wrong.
Does the sink have a cosmetic problem? Does the home have a plumbing problem? A
good report should supply you with descriptive information on the condition of
the site and home. An example of a descriptive condition is:
Kitchen sink: Condition - Minor wear,
heavy wear, damaged, rust stains, or chips in enamel finish. Recommend sealing
sink at counter top.
As you can see, this narrative description includes a recommendation for
repair. Narrative reports without recommendations for repairing deficient items
may be difficult to comprehend, should your knowledge of construction be
limited.
Take the time and become familiar with your report. Should the report have a
legend, key, symbols or icons, read and understand them thoroughly. The more
information provided about the site and home, the easier to understand the
overall condition.
At the end of the inspection your inspector may provide a summary with a
question and answer period. Use this opportunity to ask questions regarding
terms or conditions that you may not be familiar with. A good inspector should
be able to explain the answers to your questions. If for some reason a question
cannot be answered at the time of the inspection, the inspector should research
the question and obtain the answer for you. For instance, if the inspector's
report states that the concrete foundation has common cracks, be sure to ask,
"Why are they common?" The answer you should receive will be along these
lines: common cracks are usually due to normal concrete curing and or
shrinkage. The inspector's knowledge and experience is how the size and
characteristics of the cracking is determined.
We recommend that you accompany your inspector through the entire inspection if
possible. This helps you to understand the condition of the home and the
details of the report.
Read the report completely and understand the condition of the home you are
about to purchase. After all, it is most likely one of the largest investments
you will ever make.
