and a blank column should the inspector wish to use the Cost Codes provided.
The number of codes can save you reporting time while allowing you to be very specific. For instance, there are 48 separate codes for Where. Examples
include areas/items such as: stair landing (SL), cold storage (CS) and carport (CP), etc.
You can use the descriptive terms provided on each line in the Inspection Findings section to bring your concerns to your clients' attention by circling any words
that apply. These descriptive terms are printed in alphabetical order to reduce both the report writing time and the learning curve associated with
your new HomeReport™ home inspection report system. The fifth column, Read Section, directs clients 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, saving reporting time and providing clarity for clients.
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 sections). Clients easily see which lines apply without having to read or 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, What You Should Expect From Your Inspection. This page is included to make it clear
to clients 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 the HomeReport™ home inspection report system also has a "limitation of liability to fee and 1 year" 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 wish to include. Country-specific Standards of Practice follow the Contract/Receipt page.
The balance of the introduction section has been written to give clients detailed explanations of the various components that make up the book and
how each component can assist them, helping to ensure they get the most value from their HomeReport™. On the last page of the introduction section, we
have provided a Notes page. This area is for clients to use to record other details 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, typically, falling in between. Each box also has a place for the inspector's 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 client use.
ROOFING THROUGH ELECTRICAL:
These next eight sections, which open with the report form opposite the codes, are easy to follow and fill in. Each has:
the Description section first
followed by Inspection Findings
located near the middle of each page, a Notes area, making for easy recording of your specific notes.
checkboxes for System Appears Fine and No Suggestions At This Time
Items Not Inspected and/or Restrictions box.
Wherever possible an Other box is included for you to list any uncommon items.
See the 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 checkboxes for common suggestions
are included in the Notes section, i.e. Review roof when clear of snow/frost/ice.
Interior
You will notice that basement moisture indicators and suggestions are covered very well on the actual report page. An important safety note also reminds
clients to "Test/Upgrade/Install Smoke Detectors Upon Occupancy!" Because this is so important, it is 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 are provided to list the manufacturer, model number, serial number and capacity/output of the unit. This
provides clients with information that may be valuable should they need to service and/or replace their heating system. It also offers the inspector
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 checkbox 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 appear
with checkboxes under Notes: "Older Oil Tank - Expect Possible Insurance/Delivery Issues," "Recommend Heating Insurance Plan (HIP/HIP+)"
and "Review Now/Before Closing, With Specialist, To Confirm Safety," are some examples. These additional boxes are designed to save inspectors report
writing time and stress the importance of these possible heating issues 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 provides clients 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 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. These provide clients with important safety information. Similarly, an important Notes checkbox 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 costly potential problems or conditions. The first chart in this section provides a
suggested Annual Maintenance Schedule for each area of the home. The form includes a Read Section column, directing clients to text supplied
in the Checking It Out section (see next paragraph). There is also an Annual Maintenance Record, where clients can track the maintenance
they perform 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 15 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, to keeping tabs on the job. There is also a Notes area for clients.
Budgeting
Intended for rough estimating purposes only, Budgeting still offers clients valuable information. The layout is very easy to follow and understand, giving
average cost, average life span, where appropriate and provides a column for clients to list quotes. When you require cost information during your
home inspection, you'll see it is quick and easy to find.
Record Keeping
Concludes HomeReport™ and offers clients a practical and effective way to track their costs related to home ownership. The six filing envelopes
provided are printed for easy customizing. A list of possibilities for suggested subjects, special notes and important kinds of phone numbers is also
provided for clients. Once you read the final page in the Budgeting section, you can understand the value this system can provide to your client.
This home inspection report was not written just for our own in house inspections. Although, we did use HomeReport™ in our own inspection business for over ten years,
and feel it was a definate contributor to our rapid growth. We have since sold our inspection business. Today, we can focus solely on helping our clients with their home inspection businesses.
Our clients use this great reporting system, discover the best marketing secrets in the industry and have ongoing support from people who understand the business inside and out. Clients also benefit from
being part of a exclusive Tech Talk Forum that provides a wealth of information to be shared by all HomeReport™ users wishing to participate.
HomeReport™ is a reporting system that benefits other companies and individual inspectors by being a reporting system that truly focused on the inspection itself. We don't claim to be an encyclopedia; we focus on the inspection. We do claim to be the
most detailed and comprehensive home inspection guide available that speaks to clients in a way they can understand and appreciate. HomeReport™ provides an
inspection-focused reporting system that can readily benefit all clients. The system's supportive text explains every single term used on the report
pages to minimize any possible confusion. We want HomeReport™ to offer you,
the inspector, a choice. We know this inspection report can help you build a strong business, the testimonials speak for themselves. Now, it's your turn to use HomeReport™ ...so you can know, too!
All of the NCR forms used in this home inspection report 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, Description Inspection Findings and Notes. There are four columns provided where you can enter the
corresponding codes. This will inform your clients about:
