How to Write a Great Home Inspection Report

[@edwardpadilla7543]

Ben, what software are you using? How long does you physical inspection take and how long does it take you to write up the report? Currently, it takes me 2 to 3 hours to inspect a house that is 1000 sq ft to 3000 sq ft. I'll take anywhere from 125 to 250 pictures. I thought I took a lot until you said 450 pictures. Writing up the report takes 4 to 6 hours. I do edit just about every picture. Before I started using Palmtech, I used OSDS (they have since closed down) which only took me the same amount of time as the inspection, about 2 to 3 hours. So you can see Palmtech has added twice the amount of time. Wondering if you can tell me the software you have?

[@BenGromicko]

I like any software that provides a discount to InterNACHI members at Step #11 at www.nachi.org/become-home-inspector.htm (scroll down that webpage). 3 hours to do an inspection. Here's my daily routine schedule kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIixlaBpe8Shrbc.

[@KINGsizeWINNER]

Hey Ben. I used to work in an office but have a tendinitis in my hands and needed to find a new career. I'm so fascinated with home inspections. I see a lot of talk online about home inspectors actually being general contractors or realtor and the inspecting part is just "on the side" or to give them a bit more leverage. I would like to only become a home inspector and do just that. My question to you is: is this do-able? Is the industry lucrative enough to make a living only inspecting homes all week? I see a lot of certified inspectors in my area and frankly, am a bi intimated. Secondly, my medical circumstances limit how much I can use my hands. I'm wondering if you can tell me if there exist PDAs or similar methods that I can carry a tablet or such to an inspection, take photos using it, have the photos directly go into the appropriate sub-section of the report and then dictate a comment to afterwards be automatically be transcribed into text? I need to refrain from using tablets/typing as much as possible and have yet to find a speech recognition software that integrated into a PDA or report form.

[@BenGromicko]

In relation to the demand for home inspections, studies show that real estate agents recommend a home inspection on every transaction. So, in your area, you may want to reach out to some local real estate agents and asks questions. You may also be interested in attending a local Chapter of home inspectors. You may use inspectorseek.com/ to find one. In relation to using hands, it is a physically-demanding job. But in relation to writing inspection reports, there is software that works on mobile devices using voice commands and your finger. To check out some software, most software manufacturers have free trial downloads. You may be interested in some of the best software listed at www.inspectoroutlet.com/software-and-reporting.aspx

[@KINGsizeWINNER]

What is a "local Chapter?"

[@stevenrich1819]

Hello Ben...here’s a question about recommendations. Suppose an exterior deck was constructed in ‘93 in accordance with the ‘88 UBC which at that time was in effect by the local jurisdiction. In ‘18 the house was inspected and the home inspector noticed that the mechanical fastening of the 2x12 ledger to the 2x12 rim joist was accomplished with 4 - 16D galv. box nails vertically every 24” o.c. For a total of 88 nails. Would you write this in your report and if so what would your recommendations be?

[@BenGromicko]

Yes. Home inspectors should inspect homes for their clients without regard to the date the home was originally built. Let’s consider how the just the age of a house relates to the likelihood of finding evidence of house problems and deficiencies. Newly-built home in 2009 probably has several major deficiencies simply because the building codes and construction standards have improved since then. For example, let’s say you purchased a home in San Francisco that was built in 2009. New home. < 10 yrs ago. In 2009, the requirement for ceiling insulation was a minimum of R-30, and for framed-wall insulation, it was R-13. Those minimum insulation R-values were increased for 2018 to R-38 and R-20, respectively. That’s an increase of about 21% in the insulation requirements for San Francisco’s climate zone. So, homes built in San Francisco less than 10 years ago likely have some kind of deficiency in some systems simply because construction standards change.

[@marcieb9072]

Interesting

[@BenGromicko]

Thank you. Step #11 on www.nachi.org/become-home-inspector.htm has resources for writing great reports.

[@stevenrich1819]

Good example Ben. How are to going to retrofit that old house that has knob and tube wiring with a dual CAFCI/GFCI in that bathroom that the home inspector just recommended? You see, home inspectors make judgement calls and recommendations which may in turn be costly to the sellers or even kill a deal. Foolish and uneducated buyers, for who knows what reason, put a lot of faith in home inspectors and base their buying decision on their recommendations. When you take the time to read your disclaimer (s) they find out the home inspector is only worth the cost of the inspection. With that being said, I guess home inspectors are ‘t worth a whole lot. It’s only a matter of time before home inspectors will be getting sued by sellers who have buyers back out of deals because of unreasonable or ridiculous recommendations by home inspectors.

[@BenGromicko]

Home inspectors don't kill deal. That's a myth. And home owners should hire inspectors who offer a Buy Back Guarantee at www.nachi.org/buy.htm

[@edwardpadilla7543]

Agreed. We are telling the client what they have and that it. We try to stay away from recommending how to fix the problem. That could put the inspector or inspection company at risk for liability. Our job is to OBSERVE and REPORT. Let a contractor give the fix and cost.

[@stevenrich1819]

So by your logic, even though a home constructed in 1990 passed all the required building inspections based on that current code adoption, home inspectors label the insulation a deficiency? That’s ridiculous! What if the home was built in ‘80, ‘70 or ‘60? You expect those Sellers to being those homes up to current code as well? How about answering my question, if you are able?

[@BenGromicko]

Yes. That's correct. A defect, particularly one that is poses a safety risk to someone's life, should be reported as a defect, without regard to the age of the home. GFCIs in the bathroom is an example. If a bathroom receptacle near the sink is missing its GFCI protection, then it's a defect, even if the house was built yesterday or 100 years ago.

[@edwardpadilla7543]

@@BenGromicko I totally agree.