Making the Most of Your Inspection Report

Good news—your inspection report is ready! We understand that buying or maintaining a home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re handed a detailed report filled with technical information. That’s why our reports are designed to be clear, practical, and easy to navigate. They’re web-based and fully interactive, allowing you to view photos, watch videos, and jump between sections right from your browser. This guide will help you make sense of everything by walking you through a typical report and showing you how to focus on what matters most.

You’ll also have the option to download a PDF version of your report. While the format may appear slightly different from the web version, it includes all the same details and can be easily saved or printed for your records. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll be walking you through the web-based version of the report.

Navigating Your Report

Your inspection report is organized into easy-to-follow sections, each focusing on a specific area of the property. To view the details of any section, simply use the menu on the left-hand side of the screen. Clicking on a section title will take you directly to that part of the report, allowing you to quickly find the information you need.

Navigating Sections

At the beginning of each section, you’ll see a chart with two or three tabs: Overview, Information, and sometimes Limitations. Be sure to check each tab, as they provide valuable insights into that part of the inspection.

The Overview tab includes a summary chart that shows each item and how it was rated using abbreviations like A, NP, NI, M, and D. Just below the chart, you’ll find a key that defines these ratings to help you quickly understand the item’s condition.

The Information tab provides a more detailed breakdown, listing all observations made during the inspection—not just the defects.

The Limitations tab may appear in some sections when certain areas of the home couldn’t be fully inspected. This could be due to accessibility, visibility, functionality, or other factors noted in the tab.

Inspection Findings

Below the Overview, Information, and Limitations tabs, you’ll find a section that highlights specific concerns identified during the inspection. These include items that may need repair, maintenance, or further evaluation. Each item is accompanied by a brief description, photos, and a rating based on its condition.

Additionally, we note the recommended type of professional (such as a handyman, electrician, or roofing contractor, etc.) who should address the issue. Some items may be simple enough for DIY repair, while others require specialized expertise. These recommendations not only help you plan next steps—but can also be useful when requesting repairs or negotiating with the seller during the homebuying process.

Breaking Down the Rating System

To help you quickly assess the condition of each item in your inspection report, we use a simple color-coded rating system. Each category is highlighted with a specific color to indicate its status at a glance:

• Blue for General Notes
• Orange for Marginal
• Red for Defective

Here’s what each rating means:

• General Notes (Blue): Functional with no obvious signs of defect.
• Marginal (Orange): Item is not fully functional and may require repair or servicing.
• Defective (Red): Item needs immediate repair or replacement and is not performing its intended function.

Infrared Scan Photos

As part of your inspection, the inspector will use an infrared camera to scan walls, ceilings, and floors for potential issues such as plumbing leaks, moisture intrusion, electrical hot spots, or missing insulation. Any thermal anomalies detected will be assessed, and if found to be significant, will be documented in the inspection report. If no anomalies are present, thermal images may not be included. When issues are observed, a thermal image will be provided within the relevant section of the report—like the example shown below.

Quick Access to What Matters Most

At the top of your inspection report, you’ll find three convenient buttons designed to help you quickly navigate the information you need. You can choose to view the Full Report, a condensed Summary, or filter to see only the items marked as Defective. These tools make it easy to focus on specific concerns—whether you’re reviewing the entire inspection, preparing for negotiations, or planning future repairs.

Downloading a PDF of Your Report

Need a printable version of your report? You can easily download a PDF from the top right corner of the screen. Click the “PDF” button, then select either “Summary” or “Full Report” depending on what you’d like to save. While the format may appear slightly different from the web version, it includes all the same details. This is perfect for sharing with others, keeping for your records, or referencing during future repairs or negotiations.

Creating a Repair Request List

Once you’ve reviewed your inspection report, you can easily create a repair request list—or addendum—using our built-in Repair Request Builder. This tool allows you to select specific defects or recommendations directly from the report and compile them into a clean, shareable document for negotiations or follow-up.

To get started:

1. Click the “Report Tools” button in the top right corner of your screen.
2. Select “Repair Request Builder” from the dropdown menu.
3. Check off the items you want to include in your request list.
4. Add comments or request credits if needed, then preview or export your list.

This feature is especially helpful when working with your real estate agent or negotiating repairs with the seller.

We hope this guide makes your inspection report easier to understand and navigate. Whether you’re reviewing the details on your own, planning repairs, or working with your real estate agent, our goal is to give you the clarity and tools you need to move forward with confidence. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.