The Report

About the Report

We're proud of our reports!  We shoot to have your report delivered within 24 hours of the inspection.  It's not uncommon for us to spend 8-10 hours working on the report - and that's after 3-5 hours on-site looking at the house.  We like to be thorough.

Expectations:  Some folks just want us to write up the "important stuff" - but only you can decide what's important or not.   Our inspections are governed by Washington State Standards of Practice - and it's pretty comprehensive.   But we like to go a bit farther and look at every facet of the house we can access. 

What does a report DO? It gives you information to make an educated decision. You'll be able to budget or negotiate your concerns prior to moving in.  

Ok... but how are OUR reports different?

Firstly: We take your privacy seriously.  We've carefully selected inspection software to ensure your information isn't part of data harvesting that leads to pushy sales calls after you've moved in. 

Our reports outline all the significant defects or deficiencies we see in the house.  We don't look at paint blemishes or door-dings - those are cosmetics.   If those are important to your decision, please attend the inspection and make any notes you need.   Warning - our reports tend to show the "bad" of the house.  You already know what good things you like, our job is to introduce you to the quirks.... and every house has them.

In our sample report, you'll see we break down comments into categories - here are the Top 3 to read first: 

Attention Item: This is something you should definitely know about the house.   We use this label for significant safety hazards or high-cost items that need addressed in the near future. 

Due Diligence:  An issue noted during the inspection that needs further investigation by a specialist for importance.  Examples include exposed asbestos, a chimney for wood fireplace, or unique structural concerns such as uneven house settlement.   Sometimes they are BIG issues, so address these if the deficiency is a "make or break" issue.   

Repair: Deficiencies that should be addressed for safety or preventing further damage.  Examples include inoperative windows, outdated electrical outlets, or plumbing overdue for maintenance.  Some "Repair" items may be immediate, and some may be addressed when your time and budget allow.

We use a narrative style report - this means  instead of just a checkbox that says "Pipes leak/Corroded √ Yes" , our report will have a photo and say something like "Repair: The kitchen sink supply lines need repair. Both hot and cold lines have visible corrosion and very slow droplet formation at the supply connection in the cabinet.  This appears to be a new leak, as the cabinet has very minor water damage.  Further leaks may allow water below the cabinet and cause damage to the subfloor and framing.  I recommend a licensed plumber evaluate and repair."

Sample Report

Finally:  Expect "report shock"  - it may give you 2nd thoughts: That's OK.  Don't Panic - Everything is Fixable.  After the first read-through, you'll likely realize old caulk and cracked house siding isn't scary... you might even have some on your current house.

We take our inspections seriously and do our best to be diligent in every step.  Buying a house can be a big adventure that you remember for years to come, thanks for trusting us to be part of that Big Step!