Inspector Speak
You read the report and some of the comments and start scratching your head and asking: "What was that?"
I've seen it over the years where we inspectors can turn a simple one-sentence comment into a paragraph or two and then throw in a few $25.00 words. Is it a need to generate a bigger report (more pages) with excess verbiage and a photo album of site images (humm ... more pages) ?
I continue to work on my report delivery each and every time to keep the facts just that ... "the facts". I try to avoid using words that leave those questions in the reader's mind or going to the dictionary or a Google word search to figure out what it means. This relates to my other comment about "It's NOT Rocket Science" and trying to provide easily understandable educational information for my clients.
I try to paint reasonable "word pictures" about items I find "In Need of Repair" at my inspections. I've had my clients use my reports with their builder, handyman or other technical support team and they've been able to "almost" use the report for support for their bid to repair the called out item. I take that as a compliment, but it is also a work in progress to keep focused and tuned.
I also add JPG images as necessary. The old saying of "a picture is worth a thousand words" is reasonable accurate, but we can begin relying on too many images and lose sight of helpful descriptions.
It is a fine line we walk for example: I had an agent call my just yesterday and wanted to know why I didn't include a picture of a "leaking bathroom sink drain stopper" ? My report very clearly noted where it was and what was going on, but the agent could not immediately figure out what was being described. Now I'm back to "tweaking" my report for the next time to ensure I'm clear about the description or giving thought to adding an image, but then the JPG could be considered "too much".
There are fundamentally two reports: 1) A simple check-box style that does meet TREC requirements and 2) A full narrative. Many of us use a mixture of the two products and try to present in an understandable language for the agents and clients.
I continually work with my agent and client contacts and ask for and welcome all input for adding to clarity in the report products I deliver. As my inspection focus is on an education I am also continually learning and striving to improve.
Nolan Kienitz
Nolan's Inspections, LLC
www.nolansinspections.com
972-922-2111 - Direct
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Hi Nolan - the inspector here in my area that I really like using uses both written words and digital pictures to show what he's talking about. I have to say I really like that he includes the pictures because it helps to remember what he told us and showed us, and it helps when making an inspection request of a seller as well. Some people are more text-oriented and some are more graphically/pictorial-oriented. With an inspection report, I would think you might want to try to cover both bases, and I would not look at as though the inspectors who do both are looking to 'pad' their reports to make them bigger. I view them as trying to ensure those who receive the report completely understand what he's talking about, through words and pictures.
Ann