UNDERSTANDING THE REPORT by Harry Morrell, Allied Building Inspection, ASHI Certified Inspector

Home inspection reports have made dramatic changes from its earliest beginnings of 25-30 years ago to now. Although there still are old time inspectors providing hand written check lists type reports, most of today's inspectors provide comprehensive computer generated reports that include color digital pictures. Even though these newer upgraded reports look spectacular compared with the obsolete hand written check lists, a new set of problems and concerns has raised its ugly head.

There are a wide variety of home inspection computer software programs on the market that today's home inspector's use. Inspector's usually purchase the shell of the program and are able to boiler plate whole paragraphs that describe certain mechanical and structural components. Additional paragraphs can be built to describe the defects or conditions for any mechanical or structural component as well. These boiler plate paragraphs can be entered into the report by a click of the mouse. This allows the inspector to provide a 25-30 page report with photos in about 30 minutes. There are also inspectors that are capable of providing on site computer generated reports similar in length, but usually formatted by a check list. The downside of this is that the boiler plate paragraph may not apply to your particular house.

Home buyers should be aware of and question any technical type verbiage that appears too vague or confusing in nature. Reports should be simple and easy to read as well as being comprehensive. For example if an inspector merely states that the roof needs further review by a qualified roofing contractor, he may be cutting the client short. This leaves an opening for the roofer to recommend a new roof when the roof may still have several years of service left. It leaves the question of what exactly is the general condition of the roof unanswered. If the inspector states that 45% of the roofing has significant deterioration, and missing and damaged shingles, then goes on to recommend a new roof, there is no need have a roofer further evaluate the roof, just replace it.

This type of reporting can apply to any structural or mechanical component as well. If you are reading a report describing the electric service panel as appears to be OK, but better have a qualified electrician further evaluate it just in case. The buyer may be getting short changed. If the inspector noted rust and corrosion within the interior of the panel, burn marks on the conductors and connections, and conductors running across the bus bar, the inspector probably did a pretty good job inspecting the service.

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