Understanding Your Inspection Report

Prioritizing the Findings of Your Inspection:

Now that you’ve had a chance to read your inspection report, we want to guide you on how to best prioritize the inspector’s findings. We encourage you to gather as much information as possible about your investment.

Each buyer has a different budget and non-negotiables when it comes to their future home. Understanding what is important to you and what you can afford will help you move forward efficiently. We realize most buyers have both time and money constraints therefore all the items noted in the inspection report may not be able to be addressed immediately. There are two main items to focus on when prioritizing the report:

• The cost of the repair
• The health/safety risk it poses

• Installing a new roof
• HVAC repair/replacement
• Hot water heater replacement
• Unsafe electrical items or systems
• Chimney/masonry repairs
• Water intrusion/damage
• Water treatment systems
• Radon in air systems

The report has three categories: Information, Limitations, and Observations. The Observations are coded for severity with the colors blue, orange, and red.

When reading your report, you should focus on  the items coded in red:

• Are deficient and in need of correction.
• Are safety issues.
• Significantly impeding habitability and that could represent a significant expense to repair or replace.

Examples:

• A furnace at the end of its service life that needs replacement
• Safety issues like trip hazards; uneven walkways or stairs without railings
• *Water Leaks* Water issues typically get worse with time and could lead to air quality issues such as mold.

The State of Connecticut defines a significant deficiency as a system or component being non-functional or unsafe. 

Items coded in orange:

• Are in need of improvement, attention, upgrade, repair that require monitoring and/or attention by appropriate professional.
• Are approaching replacement. It also may indicate an item is near or beyond its estimated useful life. In this case you should expect replacement soon or budget for replacement due to age.
• The item, component or unit was inspected/tested, and is not functioning as intended.

Monitoring will typically be recommended if the system or component is potentially near end of service life or functioning is marginal. The buyer should understand that the condition may worsen, and the cost of correction may be required of them after taking ownership of the home.

Further evaluation will be recommended when a professional tradespersons expertise may be able to discover additional deficiencies that are beyond the scope of this inspection, were not readily accessible to the inspector at the time of the inspection, or additional deficiencies may be discovered during the correction process. A qualified specialist should be consulted for further investigation and pricing for repair or replacement.

Some systems or components may be overdue for regular maintenance or could have improved safety or energy efficiency if upgraded. Remember, any repairs or work recommended by the inspector should be performed by qualified licensed individuals.

Items coded in blue:

• Primarily comprised of small cosmetic items, items that have minor deficiencies, and simple handyman or do-it-yourself maintenance items.
• It is common for items in this category to have deferred maintenance by the homeowner and be past due for attention by a professional but are apparently functioning.

This is not a guarantee of future functionality, condition, or failure. Latent deficiencies may be present but were not visible at the time of inspection. There may be general recommendations that may apply to your home.

Some systems or components may be overdue for regular maintenance or could have improved safety or energy efficiency if upgraded. Remember, any repairs or work recommended by the inspector should be performed by qualified licensed individuals.

If any part of this report is not clear to you, contact your inspector or our office staff before making any important decisions. Your inspector is available by phone or email consultation for as long as you own this home.