reported items per house

[Bruce A. King]

What is everyones average number of writeups per house?

I have very few houses with less than 20 issues and most are around 55.

Did a brand new 4200 SF the other day and had about 75 items (many were substantial cosmetic issues and I include these on new homes)

Did a 2500 SF 31 yr today and had 83 items (no cosmetic items).

The reason I ask is that it seems like most of the sample reports and other reports I see only have 10-15 items.

Thinking of raising my rates....

[tneumann]

Deal killer.........

[jschulte]

This is a hard question to answer, as I don't number the items I've found. I would guess 20-30 items per house are mentioned on average. However, if I find more than three problems with a system, I generally do not detail every occurance (for example: damage was found to the siding at multiple locations vs. Siding damage found on the east near the ground).

Today however, I inspected a 100+ yr old farm house in a rural area. It may have been 1400 Sq Ft with 2 additions. There was not a system in the house without problems.

[jwisecup]

I thought I must have done something really bad in a past life, my last 4 houses were all old and decrepit. There were so many problems on major systems, I could barely keep up with my camera clicking. But today, I did an inspection on a 4 year old home with not much wrong.
So... 4 older houses at 30-50 reported items average 4 hours to inspect.
1 house at less than 12 reported items-1.5 hours to inspect.
Anyways, it varys so much- I don't think an average is possable, but age of home seems to be a major factor.

Jamie
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[Russel Ray]

It depends on how I number things. If there are few problems, I'll go with 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. If there are lots of problems, then I'll group the problems. For example, I normally separate outlets, lights, electric panel, etc., and then simply alphabetize the paragraphs so that all the outlets, regardless of location, show up as individually numbered outlets. However, when there are lots of problems, I'll go to a sublettering system, i.e., 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), 1(d), etc. This is a very useful technique when you run into Realtors who claim that there are too many problems. With the sublettering system, you simply reply, "All the problems in Item 1 can be resolved by the same licensed electrician. All the problems in Item 2 can be resolved by the same licensed plumbers." Etc. Now, instead of 120 problems, there are only 7 problems which a mere 7 licensed professionals in other industries can resolve. It works.

[Russel Ray]

For example, I just finished a report on one of yesterday's inspections. My standard numbering system would have reported 43 items. However, after going to the subletter numbering system, I got that down to 21 items. Realtors love it the fewer items you report, and in this case, it's all perception.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Russel's right (naturally), and in the vent of a complaint/lawsuit having grouped the defects would provide the greatest defence.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Bruce, I haven't kept count on the items. Like you, I include some cosmetic issues in my reports. (If the client is with me, I simply point them out. If they are not with me, I refer generally to paint issues and specifically to deep scratches, off center lights, etc.)

Do you put cosmetic issues in the Summary (the item functions and doesn not necessarily warrant service is my view)? I do not put cosmetic items in the summary and was wondering about your method.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Generally, I disclaim cosmetic items. However, when I'm inspecting a new house, and particularly a new and expensive house, I report each and every cosmetic defect, even something as small as a missing screw in a hinge. I feel that I owe it to my client(s).

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by kswift

Generally, I disclaim cosmetic items. However, when I'm inspecting a new house, and particularly a new and expensive house, I report each and every cosmetic defect, even something as small as a missing screw in a hinge. I feel that I owe it to my client(s).

Me too. But have seen occassions where a marble hearth will have a tremendous amount of scratchs. Or a wood floor will have a gouge. Or a kitchen counter will have a deep scratch. Or a metal dishwaher will be dented. I've seen paint overspray on entrance doors. Etc. Some of the 'more significant' cosmetic issues I put in the report body (not the Summary). New homes only.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Roger that.

[Bruce A. King]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Do you put cosmetic issues in the Summary (the item functions and does not necessarily warrant service is my view)? I do not put cosmetic items in the summary and was wondering about your method.

Since NC requires a summary with rules about what actually goes in there it is "difficult" on new homes. One way to look at it, the sales people tell the home buyer the house will be "near perfect" or some even say "perfect".
Is a house habitable when it is full of bad workmanship? It all depends on the buyer..... the buyer does not even have to buy it if it is not representative of what they contracted to buy. I have many clients that delay their closing based on my findings. NC is mostly concerned with regular pre-purchase inspections, new homes need that plus a good quality control evaluation.
An inspector has to understand home building to know what to report and what is considered typical, normal and within reason.

New home inspections are and should be different, many inspectors are missing out on business by not being thorough. (Joe, I know you are thorough, I have seen your reports)