My Home Inspection Report

(Click to view the FULL sample home inspection report in pdf--891kb)

I believe the traditional handwritten checklist style report, delivered within minutes after the inspection, and totally immune to on-site computer failure is a time tested and enduring report (which you can proudly display in your library….ok, maybe not). My Home Inspection Report comes in a pocketed 3 ring customized binder and is customized for the Virginia region. It contains the following:

  1. Home Inspection Agreement.
  2. Report Key:
    sample report image
  3. Significant Issues summary:
    1. Immediate health or safety hazards.
    2. Other significant issues (items that may involve significant money, time and/or labor to rectify).
    3. Noteworthy items not operating or not operating correctly.
    4. Items requiring further evaluation.
    5. Deferred cost items (Items that have reached or are reaching their normal life expectancy or show indications that they may require repair or replacement anytime during the next few years).
    6. Minor items (by all means NOT inclusive!)
  4. Materials used in construction summary.
  5. Equipment summary (AC/heat pumps, water heaters, furnaces-warranty information, type, size, etc)
  6. 25 Subsections covering each part of the house:
    1. Outside/Extra Structures
    2. Roofing/Exterior
    3. Foundation/Cellar/Crawlspace/Chimney(s)
    4. Garage/Attic(s)
    5. Unfinished Basement/Fireplace(s)/Staircase(s)
    6. Electrical/Cooling
    7. Heating
    8. Plumbing
    9. Kitchen/Laundry
    10. Bathrooms
    11. Bedrooms
    12. Living Areas
    13. Other Areas
    14. Notices/Additional Notes
    15. Recommendations
  7. "Home Systems Guide (How to Operate you Home)" 128 page booklet.

The reports are multi-part NCR. Typically the client gives one copy to either the Agent or the seller if asking for items mentioned in the report to be addressed/repaired/replaced/remedied/rectified.

For New Construction and Project Consultations the report format is a field report--a punch list and narrative as required.

I also take lots of digital photos during all my inspections not only of defects I may find but also to highlight operating and maintenance issues. I email them (as necassary and appropriate) to you that same night, as well as burn them to CD and mail the next day. The photos are annotated as appropriate and provide a convenient permanent record as well as being "worth a thousand words!" My clients find this CD to be immensely useful. See Inspection Photos for real examples of what you get.