In the world of home inspections you are either an on site or off site report writer. I was an on site reporter, now I am an off site reporter. Since I have the experience from both sides, I can say that off site report writing provides my clients with a far superior report.
Now if you put a bunch of home inspectors together in a room, you will get a different opinion on report writing from every one. I know because I have been part of this discussion many times. Basically the good and noble argument for doing a report right at the conclusion of the inspection is the client gets the report immediately. This speedy delivery often means the client receives a hand written checklist type report, scratched out at the kitchen table or in the inspector's truck. Almost without exception, no pictures are included.
What no one will hear outside of the circle of home inspectors is the other reasons for this method, the main one being less work for the inspector. The other is some believe they will lose business due to dissatisfaction from the real estate agents having to wait for their report.
Now how about off site reports. Just like writing a blog post, the inspector can take the time to assemble his thought into a coherent and understandable explanation of a deficiency. One of the biggest gripes I hear continually from real estate agents is concerning poorly written home inspection reports. Part of the buyer's agent's job is to negotiate any issues from the home inspection. If the agent is not provided the tools to do that job (a well written report), then the buyer could end up with less than they deserve in the process. It also makes communicating the issues a chore when the report is not clear, (this is where photos excel) with the inspector inevitably receiving phone calls or emails asking for clarifications.
Another good reason for me to write my reports later is the ability to do research. I just can not know everything, so having the ability to look up some thing later or call another inspector means once again a better and more accurate report. Even if I still do not know something, I can then write that into to the report. This not only serves the client well, but also the agent and all parties involved.
In the end a well composed home inspection report containing good accurate information, provides the buyer the tools to make their final purchase decision.
It should never leave the client with more questions than answers.
James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
2010 - 2011 SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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