Building Inspection System
Copyright © 2004 - Michael G. Bryan All rights
reserved. No part of this system, including interior design and cover
design may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means without prior
written permission from the author.
This reporting system is designed to be client, realtor and home inspector
friendly!
Michael G. Bryan, the author, developed the reporting system based upon over
thirty years of hands on experience in practically every construction trade and
over 8000 home inspections performed to date. He field tested and fine
tuned the system on over 2000 home inspections.
For a slide show presentation click the link below. On the following
screen click on the "slide show" icon in the bottom right hand corner. To
end the presentation simply press the escape key.
Click here and enjoy the show!
Key Benefits
- Saves time!
- Clear and concise!
- Conforms with the Standards of Practice of the prominent National
Associations.
- Ensures a thorough inspection.
- Addresses the presence of mold, aluminum wiring, Polybutylene plumbing,
friable asbestos and more.
- Most typical systems and conditions in a home are in print! Merely
check the box or underline the phrase.
- Designed to be inserted into a 1/2" three ring binder
- Tabbed dividers for each section of the report
- Completed and ready for distribution in triplicate on site!
- A mileage log is incorporated into the system for easy record keeping.
Legal Documents
The Introduction
The introduction page clearly explains:
- The design and intent of this reporting system
- The value of observing the inspection process
- The importance of not constantly interrupting the process
- The limitations of a home inspection
- The need to read carefully every page of the report.
- The inevitability of undiscovered minor problems.
- The fair and proper way to handle a suspected overlooked major problem.
The Home Inspection Agreement
The Home Inspection Agreement
- Limits the inspection to the Standards of Practice of ASHI and NAHI
- Limits the inspectors liability to the fee paid.
- Has blank lines for additional services to be identified
- Has blank lines to specifically exclude items from the inspection
- Unconditionally releases the inspector and company
Service Evaluation
Through the Service Evaluation Page the client:
- Grades your performance and professionalism
- Confirms that all the documents were carefully read before signing
- Confirms that all visible and apparent stains and leaks are documented.
- Releases the inspector and company based upon the observed performance
Note: The Introduction and Home Inspection Agreement can be ordered as
a double sided and laminated sheet to be handed to your clients so they may
review the documents as you inspect prior to signing.
The Summary Page
The Summary Page has boxes to be checked before each tradesmen or
professional that may need to be consulted for more information.
The Summary Action Item section has vertical columns allowing the inspector
to document:
- The area the problem is in
- What page more information can be found on
- The action to be taken regarding the problem
- The estimated cost to cure
The bottom of the page has boxes to be checked identifying the presence of
such materials or conditions as:
- Chimney flues that could not be completely viewed
- Polybutylene plumbing
- Hardboard siding which may be defective
- Galvanized steel plumbing
- Friable asbestos
- Aluminum wiring
- EIFS
- Buried oil tanks
- Lead paint
- Clogged and potentially failing waste lines
- Concealed decayed wood
- Wood boring insect activity or damage
The Report Pages
The report pages allow the inspector to:
- Grade the major areas and systems of the building
- Identify the presence of finishes, materials, equipment and conditions by
simply checking boxes and underlining phrases
- Hand write unusual finishes, materials, equipment and conditions in blank
lines.
- Make general commentary, sketches or diagrams on the last page.
A clear and concise report that can be quickly completed results from
reducing hand writing to a minimum!
Detailed commentary and explanations are on the backside of each report page.
Marketing Letter Package
Marketing letters on your own letter head are included!
- The Report Cover Letter is inserted as the first page of the report
presented to the buyer.
- The Selling Agent Cover Letter is presented with the agent's
copy of the home inspection.
- The Listing Agent and
Home Seller Marketing Letters are
intended to be left at the property along with the home inspectors brochure
and card.
The Report Cover Letter
- Thanks them for choosing you company to inspect their future home
- Explains that a home inspection can only reduce rather than eliminate
their risk in purchasing real estate
- Explains some of the typical conditions that limit a home inspection
- Explains that there will be undiscovered minor problems
- Explains how to decide whether an unreported condition should have been
discovered based upon the Standards of Practice of the National Associations
- Explains the limits of liability clause
- Wishes them the best
The Selling Agent Cover Letter:
- Thanks the agent for the opportunity to work with their client
- Encourages them to offer comments, complaints and constructive criticisms
- Expresses the inspectors interest in bettering service
The Listing Agent Marketing Letter:
- States that the inspector made an effort to leave the property as it was.
- Apologizes for any failure to leave things as they were.
- Ensures the agent that they can expect a fair and accurate report
- Offers the inspectors background and experience
- Offers contact information
The Home Seller Marketing Letter:
- Thanks the homeowner for permission to inspect the property
- States that the inspector made an effort to leave the property as it was.
- Apologizes for any failure to leave things as they were.
- Ensures the homeowner that they can expect a fair and accurate report.
- Offers the inspectors background and experience
- Offers contact information
Addendum Page:
A stand alone 3-part NCR page is available for re-inspections and cursory
inspections. It has a line for the title of the document, a date line and
a line for the address of the property. Below, are lines on which to
document observations and recommendations.
Styles
Super Deluxe
Intended to be filled out in the presentation binder. The agent's and
inspector's copies are removed at the end of the inspection. The binder,
cover letter, remaining legal documents and report pages are presented to the
client. (Binder Not Included)
- White clear view 1/2 " three ringed binder with insert with the inspection company
name
- Tabbed dividers
- Legal documents
- Three hole punched 3-part NCR report pages
- Homebuyer cover letter
- Marketing letter package
Deluxe
Intended to be filled out in the presentation binder. The agent's and
inspector's copies are removed at the end of the inspection. The binder,
cover letter, remaining legal documents and report pages are presented to the
client. (Binder Not Included)
- Binder cover insert with the inspection company listed as the presenter
- Tabbed dividers
- Legal documents
- Three hole punched 3-part NCR report pages
- Homebuyer cover letter
- Marketing letter package
Economy
Intended to be filled out in the inspectors three ring work binder and
presented to the client in an executive portfolio cover as pictured above.
(Portfolio Cover Not Included)
- Legal documents
- Three hole punched 3-part NCR report pages
- Homebuyer cover letter
