Wenatchee Home Inspections- The Report
As a Wenatchee Home Inspections service besides providing a thorough evaluation of the home, its components and systems I try to produce the best available inspection report for my clients.
This is where the rubber meets the road. If your report does not reflect the evaluation process then what was the real value of the inspection? I can have the client shadow me and I can explain every issue I come upon but what is the likelihood that all will be remembered? This usually is a stressful time for the client. My reports will have many pictures, diagrams and links as reminders.
When creating my reports I try to provide my clients not just a list of issues and areas to monitor, but to detail them in a way that when the concerns are to be addressed that the report is a helpful tool. I will always try to provide some definition on where the described issues are within or around the home.
I try to reframe from generalities such as one/or many. But refer to issues in a way that when you have the repairs done my report will help locate the area of the issue.
Examples- "The electrical receptacles on the SE wall of the upper SW bedroom have reverse polarity wiring, where the hot and neutral wires are reversed. This is a safety hazard due to risk of shock (I will explain the shock hazard in this example later). I recommend a qualified electrician repair as necessary." or "The GFCI receptacle in the Main Bathroom is incorrectly wired. This has caused the GFCI receptacle not to trip properly. I recommend that a qualified electrician repair or replace as necessary".
This will help the electrician know where in the home to repair the issue. Why pay him to find the problem again for the work I already performed.
For many issues that I have located and described I will put links and diagrams in my report to help the client understand what I am seeing and help educate them on the issues so when hiring a qualified tradesman they have some understanding of the issue involved.
Does this take more time to produce? Yes, but I hope the report is now a more valuable tool.
As home inspectors our job is to note deficiencies and safety issues of a home. We are not hired to convey how beautiful or perfect a home is. We are generalist not specialist. I liken it to hiring a family doctor to evaluate a home and if an issue is found suggest seeing a surgeon, ear/nose/throat doctor or any number of specialists.
At NCW Home Inspections the goal is to help my clients make an educated decision. Be professional and courteous.
Now the bonus question:
Why is the hot/neutral reverse a shock hazard?
This goes back to the light bulb. If you plug a lamp in and the hot and neutral are reversed the socket of the lamp is now the hot on the fixture and the pin in the bottom of the socket is the neutral. You now are replacing the bulb and get a shock from touching the socket of the lamp and/or bulb base. When it is wired properly the pin in the bottom of the socket is the hot which means you have to stick your finger into the socket to get shocked.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington.
NCW Home Inspections LLC-509-670-9572
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