Decoding Your Inspection Report
You’ve scheduled your home inspection, met with the inspector and are now opening an email containing your inspection report. You click the link and download the PDF version of the report only to realize that it’s more than 40 pages long! You’re overwhelmed just thinking about all the projects, big and small, that must be done to make your home move-in ready. But don’t panic! Your report is easy to navigate with a few quick tips.
The software provides several options for viewing your inspection report. In addition to downloading a PDF copy, you can choose to view the full report or a summary on your phone or computer. Select the Summary option for a simplified view of defects only. Your full report contains maintenance recommendations, descriptions and photos of any issues the inspector found as well as minor imperfections in the home’s systems or components. The issues that cause the most concern fall into three categories:
Major structural defects and things that can lead to major defects, like small leaks
Issues that could affect your ability to finance, insure or occupy the home legally
Safety hazards
These defects should be addressed immediately. They will be highlighted in red (material defects) or orange (major defects) throughout the report. Along with each defect identified in the report, you’ll find a description and a recommendation for repair (i.e. DIY or qualified professional).
In addition to the defects in your report, you’ll also see an Information and a Standards tab for each item in the document. Some items may also have a tab labeled Limitations. The Information tab contains basic info about each item and may also contain photos the inspector took during the inspection. The Standards tab describes the standards of practice that all certified professional inspectors should follow. The Limitations tab identifies any areas that were unable to be inspected. For example, the inspector may not have access to the attic or crawlspace.
After you’ve reviewed your report, you may want to create a simple list of recommendations for repair or, if you’re in the process of buying a home, you may need to submit a document to the seller’s real estate agent to request that repairs be handled before you move in. Luckily, the software makes both of these tasks quick and easy. Using the Report Tools menu, you can choose to copy and paste all recommendations from the report or use the Repair Request Builder to create an itemized list of repair and credit requests.
If you have additional questions about accessing or viewing your inspection report, please contact us. We’d be happy to help! And don’t forget to schedule your annual home maintenance inspection with Giles Property Inspection to ensure your home stays in great shape for years to come.
