Home Inspection and Building Inspection Reports
There
are three basic types of inspection reports:
Checklist Reports,
Modified Checklist Reports, and
Narrative Reports.
Regardless of the format, make sure that the inspection is performed by a Licensed Professional Engineer. It is also important that the report clearly communicates the results of the inspection to you. The best format to communicate the Engineer's findings to you is the Narrative Engineering Report.
Checklist Reports
A checklist report gives limited assessments of some items, but little
additional information. A roof may be described as new, old, fair,
poor, worn, leaking, etc. No information is typically provided
regarding remaining life expectancy, type of problems, etc. The
following is an example excerpt from a checklist report:
|
ITEM CHECKED |
CONDITION |
||
| GOOD | WORN | NEEDS REPAIRS | |
| Roof | X | ||
| Siding | X | ||
| Grading | X | ||
In reality, Checklist Report provides you with very limited information. A Checklist Report requires that you draw conclusions regarding the inspection findings. A checklist report is also limited in its ability to communicate information. Because of the limitations of the Checklist Report, many inspection companies use a Modified Checklist Report format.
A short Checklist Report is helpful if given as a brief summary at the inspection. Many companies that give detailed reports will also give you a Checklist Report as a one-page summary at the time of the inspection.
Modified Checklist Reports
Few companies use the Checklist Report because it provides so little information. Many pre-purchase inspection reports are prepared using a Modified Checklist Report. The Modified Checklist Report is a Checklist Report with space added for writing comments. A condition maybe chosen and information added. For example:
| ITEM CHECKED | CONDITION | COMMENTS | ||
| GOOD | WORN | NEEDS REPAIRS | ||
| Roof | X | Uneven Roof Shingles | ||
| Siding | X | Vinyl siding | ||
| Grading | X | North grading toward house | ||
Adding even one sentence provides more information than is found in a Checklist Report. The Modified Checklist Report can be prepared on-site. This may sound attractive, but remember that the clarity of the report depends on factors such as neatness of handwriting. To provide the information you need in a readable form, look for a Narrative Engineering Report.
Narrative
Home Inspection Reports and
Building Inspection Reports
To provide the information needed by today's home and building purchasers to make an informed decision, the Narrative Engineering Report is the best format. Heimer Engineering's Narrative Engineering Reports provides you with as much information as needed about a particular topic. The Engineer is not limited by the space available in a Modified Checklist Report.
Heimer Engineering's Narrative Engineering Reports include an expense analysis that helps you better understand the scope of a problem. The same roof mentioned in the previous illustrations would be described as:
|
The roof, although it was not leaking at the time of the inspection, is worn and is approaching its rated life expectancy. The roof shingles are also uneven. Because of the general condition of the roof, it is likely that it will start leaking at any time now. Furthermore, water penetration has occurred in the past. Sheathing damage may be found when the roof is replaced. The estimated cost of roof replacement is $5500. When you have the roof replaced, make sure that… |
The report would continue with further details on roof replacement. Similar detail will be found regarding all the systems in the house or building. Below is a sample of a Heimer Engineering Narrative Engineering Reports:
Clearly, the Narrative Engineering Report communicates the greatest amount of information to you. It is in your best interests to choose an engineering firm that provides you with a Narrative Engineering Reports that includes an expense analysis.
To
setup an appointment with Heimer Engineering PC for a home inspection, building
inspection, condominium inspection, coop inspection, or Professional Engineering
consultation, to find out about other Professional Engineering services offered,
or for more information, call us anytime at 718.544.3000, 212.563.4777,
516.487.2100, 631.858.5500, 914.576.6100, 845.638.4900, or 800.605.1500
or you can click here to contact
us 24/7 using the online form.
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