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Check-box Inspections

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Home Inspector with Granite Peak Inspection, Inc. WaHome#554 WSDApest 78889

Agents: Do you really want your client to have a cheap, generic home inspection? Does your favorite inspector show up and inspect the home, check a few boxes on his computer and and toss your client's inspection out the window of his car as he drives off to make his next inspection appointment?

Granted, these inspectors make your job easier. The inspection will take less time, and show fewer concerns and details. The sale will go more smoothly, taking less effort to address concerns, and to finalize the sale.

This type of generic, impersonal inspection is NOT in yours or your clients' best interest. This type of check-box inspection is (at best) the bare minimum and likely not compliant with Washington State Standards of Practice for Home Inspections (see website http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=308-408C&full=true). There is liability risk to both the Realtor and the inspector with these superficial reports; an in-depth inspection protects the client, as well as the Realtor and inspector from potential future liability claims regarding errors and omissions.

Look for an inspector that documents the details...one that delivers a thorough, personalized, site-specific report. Look for quality.

Comments(6)

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Tom Robinson
Keller Williams Realty Kingstowne/Alexandria, VA Office - Fairfax, VA
Experienced Real Estate, Professional Serving No. VA and DC

A very detailed and thorough inspector I use regularly has a separate form that he uses to mark things, make notes, and it seems to have some check boxes. What he produces for the client is both an electronic pdf copy and a hardbound reference book with the problems and suggestions on how to correct them...and he is no more expensive than anyone else.

Mar 31, 2011 05:32 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Brad, I could not agree more---I see these "marginal" reports all the time---providing almost no service to anyone in the transaction.  (Thanks for subscribing to my blog by the way---and a big welcome to ActiveRain.  If I can be of any help just give me a call)

Jun 12, 2011 06:57 AM
Brad Gotham
Granite Peak Inspection, Inc. - Colville, WA

Tom I too use a check off sheet for my notes during the inspection. I then compile all the concerns , recommendations for correction and photos to produce the inspection report that is available to my client on line.

Charles, Thanks for the comment, I really enjoy reading your blog.

Jun 13, 2011 04:53 AM
Curtis C. Brown
CURTIS C HOME INSPECTION SERVICES, LLC (Whatcom County, WA - Bellingham, WA

Hear, hear Brad, I agree with you and Mr Beull. The up side to that type of inspecting is you can do three inspections a day so you'll have lots of money to pay the lawyers!

Simply put, it's a big dis-service to the industry as a whole.

Jul 30, 2011 05:57 PM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Brad,

Welcome to the HI doctorial essay clan of report writers ; )

I really think our industry can do a much better job overall as a profession.

Aug 07, 2011 06:04 AM
Brad Gotham
Granite Peak Inspection, Inc. - Colville, WA

Don, I agree its sad, in my area its the norm. When a potential client calls I ask them to take a look at my reports and compare them to my competitions report most the time its a sale. 

Aug 07, 2011 06:28 AM