What is included in a home inspection report?

Home inspection is a very important step before closing deals on a house. It is beneficial for both parties in a real estate transaction. The findings of a home inspection is delivered as a report.

 

A home inspection report is usually a detailed document. It contains both written and pictorial details of all the observations from a home inspection. It mostly includes every flaw or security risk as well as traces of any previous damages.

 

The report will vary depending on the client. A home inspection report for a real estate agent, for a buyer, and that written to apply for a residential permit will differ widely. The report for a client looking forward to buying a house will likely be short and will avoid jargon. Some reports, especially the ones during construction, may consider a lot of technical terms. In some cases, there will even be a follow up report.

 

However, there are some common elements that should be included in all home inspection reports. These are as follows:

 

An Informational Section

This resembles an introduction. The section will contain all the general details regarding the real estate property. This includes the square footage, the construction material, year of construction, track of prior renovations and repairs done, etc.

 

A Table of Contents

The table of contents will contain an easily understandable guide to the location of each article within the report.

 

A Detailed Summary

This section will take up most of the article. The report will summarize the condition of each building component of the house and their operability. This can include both positive and negative conditions. This should also mention any missing component. The summary is likely to note any security risks (fire, storms, earthquakes, etc.) or extra security measures.  

 

List of Major Issues

There can be various flaws found in a house. Each of them should be mentioned in detail in this section. Each component should include a visual reference, the details and intensity of the issue as well as recommendations. This should prioritize the most to least problematic issues. For a follow up inspection, it should include the new fixes made according to the recommendations.  

 

As a builder, you should expect notes on the following components of your house in the home inspection report:

 

As a buyer, you should focus on each of these items as well. You can consult your home inspector to learn further about any issues in a house you wish to purchase. Always try to understand the severity of the issues and be informed on the expenses to fix those.