Tips on Reading an Inspection Report
When interviewing a home inspector, ask the inspector what type of report format he or she provides. There are many styles of reports used by home inspectors, including the checklist, computer generated using inspection programs, and the narrative style.

Some reports are delivered on site and some may take as long as 4 - 6 days for delivery. All reporting systems have pros and cons.

At Reliance Home Inspection Services, our reports are computer generated from an inspection program that was specially designed for us.  It is informative and detailed, (usually over 20 pages) yet easy to understand.  In addition, we typically include over 25 digital photos of the property so you can see exactly what the report is describing.  Finally, we provide a short summary of the issues noted in our report for quick reference and use by you and your realtor.   Your inspection report will be e-mailed to both you and your realtor within 24 hours.  We will then mail the original color report to you in our inspection package, so you can keep it with your important documents.

The most important issue with an inspection report is the descriptions given for each item or component. A report that indicates the condition as "Good", "Fair" or "Poor" without a detailed explanation is vague and can be easily misinterpreted. An example of a vague condition would be:

Kitchen Sink: Condition - Poor

This description doesn't give the buyer an idea about what is wrong. Does the sink have a cosmetic problem? Does the home have a plumbing problem? A good report should supply you with descriptive information on the condition of the site and home. An example of a descriptive condition is:

Kitchen sink: Condition - Minor wear, rust stains. Recommend sealing sink at countertop.

As you can see, this narrative description includes a recommendation for repair. Narrative reports without recommendations for repairing deficient items may be difficult to comprehend, should your knowledge of construction be limited.

Take the time to read thoroughly and become familiar with your report. The more information provided about the site and home, the easier to understand the overall condition.

We recommend that you accompany your inspector through the entire inspection if possible. This helps you to understand the condition of the home and the details of the report.

Read the report completely and understand the condition of the home you are about to purchase. After all, it is most likely one of the largest investments you will ever make.