NOVAhi new SAMPLE REPORT - Residential

[Serge Delhoyo]

Dom, Thanks for your encouragement.  Unlike math---When you are working with people:  "The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts"

This philosophy is getting to the point that several inspectors in Chicago are looking at creating an umbrella company name for marketing themselves as a larger company and sharing expenses but still operating individually. They're using their Home Inspector Pro reports to give themselves a consistent look.

This does sound like a great idea.  I'm new to this business—and I’m continually surprised of the culture of competition and individualism that prevails in the home inspection business.  Lots of my fellow inspectors here are always on guard and reluctant to help out a newbie—let them go on ride-alongs, share ideas, etc.  Makes it that much harder to get started—let alone succeed.

Like I said, there is plenty of work to go around.   But, as John said, most of the realtor work is done by the “big” companies. Now here is where we need to succeed in changing.

We here at HIP need to cut through that "crappy" culture and share our succes and failures.  This will only bring more rewards to each of us.

 

[Dominic Maricic]

I totally agree!

[Serge Delhoyo]

Here is my latest NOVAhi Residential Template.
 
Also attached is a word file with my explanations and rationale for the color codes, fonts, and some of the statements found in the Damage sections.

Please let me know your ideas for improvement. Thanks for your interest.
 

[Dominic Maricic]

Serge, this is awesome. I like to document too with the exact color codes and your reasoning. Obviously you've gone through a lot of work to make it looks so good and it's greatly appreciated that you're sharing!

[Serge Delhoyo]

Thanks for the kind words. I guess I haven't been "burning the midnight oil" for nothing.

 Very glad to be of help.

[David Macy]

Here is a thought.

Being that I have no extra time as I am having a hard time running my business and studying to hopefully being an Energy rater.

I had this thought.

If Dom had a guy that would take my template(And others) and make it look like Serge's. (Or however) Do SEO, I have three guys waiting for me to swap back my link) and website editing at a fee of course.

I have no time to do these important details.

I am getting a new laptop this week and it would be nice to have someone come over to set it up. A lot can be done with the feature Dom uses to take control of the PC.

What would you say the fee would be that is reasonable. What do you think of these thought.

Now remember at this point my brain is fried spaghetti.

[Stephen Stanczyk]

Just a few comments.  Take them for what they are worth.

In my opinion, it is best to have the summary at the rear of the report so at least the client has to page through the body of the report to find it.  Maybe, just maybe, they will read some of it.  Some states require the Summary page at the front of the report. Personal choice otherwise.
 
Water heater.  No mention of shut off valve presence, strapping, TPR valve or drain line, pan or no pan.

Kitchen counters.  Be wary of stating brand name unless marked by manufacturer.  Is it Corian or a “solid surface” countertop.  ***Same thing for spa bathtubs.  If it isn’t marked “Jacuzzi” don’t state it is.  Big price difference between off brands and name brands.

Ceiling fans.  No mention of method of attachment.  Most of the time these are homeowner added in older homes and an upgrade in new construction.  Either disclaim or verify method of attachment.  Tough with deep insulation.

I would recommend stating that the bathroom fans and kitchen fans are “properly routed to the exterior of the home”.  It is not mentioned in either the bath, kitchen, attic or roof sections.

Nice report.  Well done.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Stephen, I use to put my summary at the end until I did a 7000 SQFT house.  My report was 50 pages, and the Realtor wanted me to fax it to her.  I told her is was going to be a long report, but she didn't realize!!!

Long story short, she freaked out because she thought she was going to lose the sale and her $30,000 commission.  She hadn't even looked at the report at this point.  Between her and a couple other comments I got, I started putting the summary at the beginning and everyone seems to be happy now.

I only mention this so you will be keyed in if they desire you to change it.  If not, I think it makes sense to put it at the end.  After all, it is a summary!

[Serge Delhoyo]

Great comments Stephen, thanks!

1.   Agree with the Summary page in the rear—however—here in Northern Virginia,  agents prefer it up front.

2.   In N. Virginia, there’s no requirement for strapping water heaters or having pans. I only mention shutoff valve, TPR, and drain line by exception—or if there’s a problem with installation of those items.  I see your point though, and will consider adding statements indicating these items are present.

3.   I agree completely with brand names.  I ONLY state the brand if factual. e.g . I can read the label on the whirlpool (hydro massage) tub as “Jacuzzi”, or I can verify the solid surface countertop is “Dupont Corian” brand.  I’ve thought about this: stating the brand names for items (water heaters/furnaces/appliances etc.)  Don’t know if it’s necessary—but I still do it.

4.   Ceiling fans—never thought of inserting a disclaimer.  Good idea.  Do you have one you would share?

5.   Exhaust fan venting—this is another tricky subject.  Most of the homes, around here, that are older than about ten years—have their vent pipes poised just short of the roof ridge vent, or soffit vent, or gable vent.  Now, code insists they terminate completely outside with proper vent caps.  So, like many other items in our business—since we are not code inspectors—ours  is to disclaim or identify for the client the issue and let them make an informed decision—as long as the item is functional, as it was intended to be.

  This is a sample statement I insert, where applicable:
 
{The vent pipe from the exhaust fan in the (location(s)) terminates and is poised just short of the (roof ridge vent/soffit vent/gable vent).  Although this was within standard building practice at the time this house was built—this is less efficient and can cause a buildup of moisture and eventually mold in the attic.  Recommend upgrading to properly route vent(s) to the exterior of the home. }

I would not insert this in the "serious damage" "RED" section.

Again, Thanks for your contructive comments.  Please share a copy of your ceiling fan disclamer.

[Stephen Stanczyk]

"Agents prefer it up front" ?  Who cares.  The report is for your client and for your protection, not the convenience of the agent.  That's why emailing PDF reports is the easiest method of delivery.  They can choose to print whatever pages they want, they can print from back to front if they want.  But having a large amount of problems in RED ink at the very front of the report is more likely to scare a client than having those items spread throughout the report and then summarized at the end.  This is an education process for the agent and once they understand, won't care.

Codes are the minimum building standard required by the local AHJ and if inconvenient to verify, are ignored by the AHJ.  Did you ever see a code official enter a crawl space of new construction to verify if plumbing waste pipes are attached with solid rods and proper supports?  Never gonna happen.  It is in our client's best interest to be informed about items that while meeting code, can still affect them. 

I still don't understand the "if there's nothing wrong I don't report it".  This is a disservice to your client and detrimental to your business.  How do they know if the TPR valve is installed, installed correctly or just missed altogether?  Based on that reasoning, your report should be very, very short and only filled with defects.  If there is nothing wrong you don't report it?  Let's look at it this way, IF an attorney ever starts deposing or questioning an inspector that uses this reasoning it will be nothing but trouble.   Look at it from a jurors standpoint.  "I didn't mention it because there was nothing wrong with it".  There is no way to defend yourself if you mention even one other innocuous item that had no defects anywhere else in your report.  The attorney is going to point out over and over again that it doesn't follow your basic report premise and you have now contradicted yourself in front of the jury.  There goes your credibility and a large chunk of income.

I will mention brands of appliances and system components if clearly marked with manufacturers label.  It is the commonplace items that can get you in trouble.  If you don't see a brand on the item, don't state it.

Ceiling fans.
There are ceiling fans located in the XXXX room and XXXX room.  Due to the amount of insulation or type of construction, it was not possible to determine the method of attachment to the ceiling.  These units are heavy and due to the designed movement, must have the proper style mounting boxes for correct and safe attachment.  It is recommended that the method of attachment is confirmed prior to use.  This may require the removal of the fan or insulation in order to visually verify the proper support.

I love lively debate. 

[John Adrian Sopher]

I agree with you on reporting on stuff that's fine.  I have said this many times.  It is our job to report all conditions of a house, good and bad.  Too many inspectors report only the bad things and neglect the good.  Remember this, if you only focus on negative words all day long, you will start to think negatively and thus effect everything else in your life negatively. 

As far as Realtors are concerned, you cant just dismiss this part of the real estate industry. Almost our entire clientele pool use them.  That would be like trying to fish from a kiddie pool.  Odds are, you will catch a fish eventually.  But if you fish in a stocked lake, you will catch many fish much faster, and feed your family!  (But I still don't like dealing with them)  lol

[Serge Delhoyo]

Excellent points, great stuff.  I agree and will definitely make appropriate changes.

Thanks for your “ceiling fans” statement, Stephen.

Appreciate your help.

[Stephen Stanczyk]

As far as Realtors are concerned, you cant just dismiss this part of the real estate industry. Almost our entire clientele pool use them.  That would be like trying to fish from a kiddie pool.  Odds are, you will catch a fish eventually.  But if you fish in a stocked lake, you will catch many fish much faster, and feed your family!  (But I still don't like dealing with them)  lol

I don't think your analogy quite stands up since kiddie pools don't have fish in them......BUT changing the second part of the analogy to septic tanks might make more sense.  Kiddie pools on occasion have turds floatin' around and septic tanks are indeed well stocked........ oh wait, you were talking about clients, not Realturds.  Nevermind.

I find that it takes more to educate the used house sales group than it does our own clients.  Explaining to the agents the reason for the language we use, the method we inspect and report and why it is best to do it the way WE want is how you develop long term business relationships with the real estate community.

In regards to the summary at the end of the report I like to tell the Realtors that the reason it is best at the end of the report is like the frog story.  If you drop a live frog into boiling water it will jump out, if you place it in cool water and slowly raise the temperature to boiling they won't.  Having the summary at the front of the report and the frog/client is liable to jump.  Having the summary at the end of the report allows the client to become accustomed to seeing red ink spread around before the "end".

When you find agents that you get along with, take them to coffee to explain your methods and reasoning.  Those that understand will keep referring, those that are stubborn and refuse to listen will not.

I love lively debates.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Yeah, I'll let you have the turd thing.  LOL

[Steven Waskewicz]

I like the frog analogy applied to the front vs. back for the summary placement.
Sometimes its all in the delivery...

[John Adrian Sopher]

You could say that about the turd too!!! LMAO

[Gerry Pallotta]

I haven't been on the board for awhile due to time constraints but the first thing I see see when I get back on is Serge's totally awesome reports. Bro kudo's and more to you for such fine work.

[Serge Delhoyo]

Thanks.  I'm working--even as we speak--on improving, adding comments, and formatting.

Stand by for news!   

[Bob Elliott]

Very impressive guy.
Looks business,crisp and clean.

I may steal a few ideas from this at a later date

[Greg Clatterbuck]

Very professional report.  I guess I have a program question.  How did you insert the Notice to Third Parties and Scope and Practice section.  I looked at your template and didn't see that under documents.  Thanks