What To Say On A Report

[John McKenna]

Interesting article here that comments on the issue of narrative
reports being a smoke screen of disclaimers and avoiding
the issues that need to be said plainly.

http://www.nashvillescene.com/Storie...de/index.shtml

Any comments on this article? Everyone has a spin on this one.

John McKenna
American Home Inspection

[Dale Duffy]

I agree with Walter, if something needs to be repaired or replaced just say so!

[tmantsch]

I'm anti-boiler plate. Unless I boiled it from repetative experience.
...caulk all interior/exterior window penetrations...
...replace batteries in all smoke detectors...
...recommend installation of CO....
...THIS HOUSE IS A BIOHAZARD! RUN!...(Only I was a LITTLE less dramatic)

Other than that, I call it as I see it...Sugar-free

Wait a sec...In defense of the use of "MONITOR"
Let's not go overboard...I still believe the HO has a little
responsibility/interest here.

Say the flashing on a chimney roof penetration has obviously been replaced.
You may be inclined to report the new flashing and past water intrusion if the signs are there.
It has not rained in Dallas since the Cowboys won a SuperBowl...
What is wrong with recommending the HO monitor the interior
area the next time the Cowboys win...or it rains?

I've read worse critiques on HIs though...
Thanks for the article
Tim

[John McKenna]

I believe Inspectors sometimes get caught up in so
much boiler plate copy and past... that the customers
see the report as a giant DISCLAIMER. When you
are trying to cover your fear of saying. or not saying,
all the things that could be said... you begin to look
foolish in the process.

When a Customer has to read through 65 pages of
computer narrative and lawyer speak... it hard to
locate what needs fixed.

I think software vendors spook novice inspectors into
buying their programs and the inspector thinks it will
help him appear smarter... yeah, right.

I once read an opinion on a foundation that said
"it may, or may not, be functioning as intended".
The customer hired me to help them understand
what the first guy said... I told the customer
that the he was speaking out of both sides of
his mouth because he was afraid of making a
mistake. The whole report was filled with endless
verbage that he never wrote, but copied from
the computer narrative reserves. The customer
did not like it and everyone could see what he
was doing to cover himself.

Not good marketing.

John McKenna
American Home Inspection

[David A. Andersen]

To quote the author: " Now that is one dead-obvious laod of B.S."

[rwand1]

Is Walter disclaiming home inspectors?

Well I believe there are to many disclaimers and CYA comments, and referring to another profession for my liking, as usual Walter puts his own myopic spin on the issue.

Obviously Walter hasn't got a PhD, but thinks he does. (Pile it higher and Deeper, eh Walter )