HomeReport™ Details

Welcome to HomeReportTM.  We are so pleased with the HomeReportTM system and what it has done for our business, that we have decided to share HomeReportTM with other inspectors who are looking for a professional system to enhance their company's image.  We are sure you'll get excited about the potential this excellent system can offer you once you've reviewed this information. We have prepared the following to help explain the book and its benefits to you.    

THE LAYOUT OF THE BOOK
The first thing you'll notice is the professional look and feel of the binder itself.  By having HomeReportTM screened with gold on black  it provides a rich look that will not need customizing.  However, should you wish to increase your company name exposure you can add your own information to the first page inside the book "Welcome to HomeReport".  The physical size of HomeReportTM is large enough to contain all the important features and benefits we've included without being ridiculously large and heavy.  The overall appearance of HomeReportTM is very professional, yet discreet enough to easily be used by independent inspectors.

Inside the front cover, a clear sleeve pocket provides the space for any marketing material you may wish to include to help promote your business.  There is also a clear business card pocket.

The book has been divided into twelve sections. The book opens with a detailed table of contents.  All of the twelve tabs which separate the sections have been mylar reinforced  where they are drilled and on the actual tab for durability and appearance.  The back of the tab in each of the major sections is where the HomeReportTM Codes are Explained for ease of use for both the inspector and the client.

 All of the NCR forms used in the book are provided in duplicate - easy to separate white and yellow sheets.  The report form for each of the major systems is divided into two sections.  They are "Description" and "Inspection Findings" with  "Notes" located at the top of "Inspection Findings".   There are four columns provided where you can enter the corresponding codes.  This will inform your client about "When" the item should be dealt with, "Where" the item is located, what "Action" the client should take and a blank column should the inspector wish to use the  "Cost" codes provided.   The number of codes (i.e. 48 separate codes for "Where") can save you reporting time while allowing you to be very specific. For example:  there are codes for areas such as stair landing (SL), cold storage (CS) and carport (CP) etc.  You can use the descriptive terms provided on each line in the findings section  to bring your concerns to your clients' attention by circling any words that apply. These descriptive terms have been printed in alphabetical order to reduce both the report writing time and the learning curve associated with your new HomeReport system.  The fifth column, "Read Section", directs your client to the appropriate section in the text that they should read for a greater understanding of your findings.  All of these individual terms are explained which can save reporting time and provide clarity for the client.  The layout in "Inspection Findings" is simple, because people read from left to right, the important information is on the left (when, where, action, blank (costs) and read section).  The client can first see which lines apply to them without having to read/scan text unnecessarily.

Introduction
The introduction section is home to the Contract/Receipt which is written in a clear and straightforward manner.  As part of the contract, clients are asked to read the page opposite entitled "What You Should Expect From Your Inspection".  This page has been written to clear up any misunderstandings a client may have with regards to what the inspection/inspector can, and cannot, do for them.  It also clearly states that "the inspection and the inspection report are not a guarantee, warranty or insurance policy regarding the physical state of the Property or the current or future adequacy, performance or condition of the property." The contract that comes with HomeReport also has a limited of liability to the fee clause.  A separate contract with a "no E&O" clause is also available.  On the bottom of the contract/receipt page there is a Company box where you can put any of your company information you would like to include.  Directly behind the contract is the Standards of Practice.

The balance of the introduction section has been written to give the client a detailed explanation of the various components that make up the book and how each component can assist them.  This will help ensure your client will get the most value from their HomeReportTM.  On the last page of the introduction section, we have provided a "Notes" page.  This area has been provided for your client's use.  It gives them a place for any special notes they may wish to include.

The Big Picture
This section gives quick and easy access to the overall condition of the property on the day of the inspection.  Each major system has its own box on the form which makes it very easy to use and follow.   A scale of 1 to 10 is used to remark on each individual system, with 1 being poor, 10 being excellent and 5-6 typical would fall in-between.  Each box also has a place for the inspectors notes, a place to check for regular maintenance and a place to check if the item/system was not inspected and/or tested. The last box on the page is for "The Overall Rating" .  At the bottom, you can quickly circle location/orientation and weather conditions and enter temperature.  By filling in the temperature and weather conditions on the day of the inspection, you will be better prepared to respond to any call backs that may result from your report.  The "Big Picture" is explained in detail after the report page.  There is also a "Notes" page for your client's use.

ROOFING THROUGH ELECTRICAL:
These next eight sections, which all open with the report form opposite the codes, are very easy to follow and fill in. Each has the "Description" section first followed by the "Inspection Findings".  A "Notes" area has been provided for your overall notes and it is located near the middle of each page which makes for easy writing.  This "Notes" area also offers a box for both "System appears fine" and "No suggestions at this time".  All of these report forms also have a "Items Not Inspected" and/or "Restrictions" box.  Where ever possible an "Other" box has been provided for you to list any uncommon items.  See following paragraphs for more details on certain sections.

Roofing
At the top of the Roofing report page, Failure Probability (next 5 years) can be readily checked as low, medium or high.  "An inspector cannot accurately predict roofing system failure" appears in large bold text in the centre of the report page.  Helpful check boxes for common suggestions have also been added to the notes section i.e. Review roof when clear of snow/frost/ice (a common suggestion in the winter months).

Interior
You will notice that basement moisture indicators and suggestions are covered very well on the actual report page.  An important safety note has been added to "Test/Upgrade/Install Smoke Detectors Upon Occupancy!", because this is so important, it has been repeated in both the Electrical and Maintenance - Let's Get Started! sections.

Heating
You will see a line at the top to enter the location of the Meter/Filler.   Failure Probability (next 5 years) can be readily checked as low, medium or high.  In the System Age box, lines have been provided for listing the manufacturer, model number, serial number and capacity/output of the unit.  This can provide your client with information that may be valuable should they need to service and/or replace their heating system.  Also, it offers you added protection should a situation arise where the client sues for, or demands, replacement of their heating system. You can be better prepared knowing exactly what system was in the home on the day of the inspection.   Located in the "Notes" section is a check box to recommend a carbon monoxide detector.  This important note appears again on the "Let's Get Started!" page in the Maintenance section.  You'll notice other commonly used suggestions have been made into check boxes under "Notes" in this section i.e.  "Older Oil Tank - Expect Possible Insurance/Delivery Issues", another "Recommend Heating Insurance Plan (HIP/HIP+)" and "Review Now/Before Closing, With Specialist, To Confirm Safety" etc.  These extra boxes are new with this edition of the book and are sure to save you report writing time and help stress the importance of these heating suggestions to your clients.

Cooling
Failure Probability (next 5 years) can be readily checked as low, medium or high at the top of the form. In the System Age box, lines have been provided for listing the manufacturer, model number, serial number and capacity/output. This can provide your client with information that may be valuable should they need to service and/or replace their cooling system. When this information is filled in, you can be better prepared to answer any questions after the inspection knowing exactly what system was in the home on the day of the inspection.

Plumbing and Electrical
"Meter Pick-Up At" and  "Main Shut Off At" (plumbing page) and "Meter At" and Main Disconnect At" (electrical page) lines are provided at the top of these report forms.  This can provide the client with important safety information.   An important "Notes" check box is available for "Galvanized Steel Pipe/Cast Iron Pipe - Expect Possible Insurance Issues) Regarding Price/Availability".

Maintenance
"Let's Get Started!" opens this section and was written to provide the homeowner with information on items that should be checked as soon as they take possession of the home.  The emphasis is on  safety and potentially expensive items or conditions. The first chart provided in this section provides a suggested "Annual Maintenance Schedule" for each area of the home.  The form includes a "Read Section" column which directs the client to text supplied in the "Checking It Out" section (see next paragraph).  The next two page chart provided is the "Annual Maintenance Record".  This is where the client can actually track the maintenance they have performed based on the "Annual Maintenance Schedule".

Checking It Out
Located within the Maintenance section, provides information related to the "Read Section" column of the "Annual Maintenance Schedule".  For example, a client would find the following text listed under Shingle Roofs - "Asphalt shingle roofs routinely have a life span of approximately fifteen years.  As they age, they will curl, begin to lose granules and become brittle.  They may also split, blow off and crumble.  In deciding whether to replace your  roofing, it is advisable to err on the side of caution when these signs appear.  Sometimes, trying to squeeze another year from a tired roof can have expensive consequences.  If in doubt, consult a roofing professional."

Hiring A Contractor
Another value added bonus found in the maintenance section.     It covers everything from where to start, how to find your contractor, key questions to ask your contractor through to keeping tabs on the job.  There is also a notes area for clients.

Budgeting
Offers the client valuable information which they will be able to use for years to come.  In "Budgeting",  the information is provided to the client for rough estimating purposes only.    The layout is very easy to follow and understand, giving average cost, average life span, where appropriate, and leaving a column for the clients own quotes.  When you require cost information during your inspection, you'll see it is quick and easy to find.

Record Keeping
Concludes HomeReportTM and offers the client a practical and effective way to track their costs related to home ownership.  The six filing envelopes provided have been printed for easy customizing.  A list of possibilities for suggested subjects, special notes and important kinds of phone numbers have also been provided for your client.  Once you read the final page in the Budgeting section, you can understand the value this system can provide to your client.

This report was not written just for our own in house inspections.  We wrote it so that other companies and individual inspectors could benefit from a reporting system that truly focused on the inspection itself.  We don't claim to be an encyclopedia, we instead focus on the inspection.  We do claim to be the most detailed and comprehensive book available that speaks to the client in a way they can understand and appreciate.  HomeReportTM provides an inspection focused reporting system that can readily benefit the client.  The system's supportive text explains every single term used on the report pages to minimize any possible confusion.  The only place you'll find our name in the book is where we claim copyright on the back of the introduction tab.  So, if your clients want to believe this book originated from you or your company that's o.k. with us!   We just want HomeReportTM to offer you, the inspector, a choice.  We know which book works best for us and our clients.  Now, its your turn to use HomeReportTM and see for yourself.......

Simply a Better Choice! - Simply Better Value!

Have a question or concern?  We would be glad to speak with you.
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Last Modified: April 23, 2008