I’ve been watching the discussions on the forum, and held back for a while because of the banter, but I’m a big boy, and have a good sense of humor, so I thought I would jump in! I can see that the forums will be invaluable. I’m new to inspections [ haven’t done a paid inspection yet], but I was hoping for advice on a few things. !] for anybody who has used EZ Home Insp. software, how do you like it? 2] How aggressive is your wording considering “grandfathered” items [ie GFCI]? I’ve seen a lot of varying opinions.3] I’ve seen lots of links to reference materials, do you locate these one at a time , or is there a database that will help? I don’t mind doing the work, but time is money! THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER!
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“Grandfathered” is a term used by used house salesmen not home inspectors.
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Allow me to ask a question, (or two), with a question…
“What is it that draws you to EZ Home Inspection? Why is it a consideration for you?”
point taken! To be more direct, how aggressively do you recommend upgrading to , say, afci"s when they weren’t required when the house was originally built/ renovated?
It’s in my price range, I did their trial, and it seemed pretty user friendly, some of the “canned” comments were pretty good. I haven’t tried anything else, and there are tons out there
AFCI are only required for added bedrooms that fall under current codes and homes built after a certain date.
We are not code inspectors.
Except for GFCI’s in bathrooms and kitchens and exterior outlets I don’t recommend upgrades.
Never have an issue.
looks like I need to learn to use the forum too! lol! I did their trial, and it seemed pretty user friendly, and some of the “canned” comments were pretty good. It’s also in my price range!
thanks Michael, that’s pretty much where I kept coming down, but wanted to see what you "old"guys did!
Clarence, if a home is renovated, and the receptacle that should be a GFCI receptacle is exposed to stud, it needs to be upgraded to a GFCI receptacle…at least around here it does and I believe other places too. 
thanks for the info Larry
I used EZ before I developed my own report form. I liked it. It makes a pretty report and clients could easily follow it. You can stack as many photos as a subject needs. It’s obviously a basic report tool, but I agree that it is affordable for starting out, but you should consider where you think you are going in this biz. If you think that you are going to be a full time inspector who wants the additional services offered by the “big” players in the software biz, then consider that you will be customizing new software again at some time in the future. And customizing software to your particularly style takes a fair amount of time.
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You’re welcome, Clarence. 
Clarence, let me say this. KISS, Keep It Simple Student. Think SOP and nothing more for the next year or more. No words like grandfathering. Leave that for tradesmen.
Steer clear of trades and code talk all together please. Again. KISS, Keep It Simple Student. Think SOP and start on the ground floor.
Keep asking great questions like you are doing and it will pay off.
Good luck with your home inspection business.
We’re all in this together and pulling for you buddy.
Reach out to me or any member anytime.
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Thanks Lon, that’s a great help. Right now, I don’t know what I don’t know, so maybe I need to grow into the software as I grow in other aspects of the business. I plan to go full time as soon as I can tie up some loose ends, and work toward CMI status!
Thanks for the advice, and encouragement! I’ll work on terminology, my past experiences get in the way sometimes! [15 years in materials sales, and 20 years in residential construction as g.c.] It’s kind of scary going into this solo even though I am confident
in my ability to inspect [for a rookie] The technology is freaking me out a little!
Here’s a link to my article on Choosing Inspection Software. It’s an unbiased look at things you should consider when choosing inspection software.
BTW, I’m working with Rusty Craig to develop an InterNACHI Narrative Library template for EZ Inspect.
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As you gain experience, you will be able to discern what should be reported when it comes to a home’s age. Some will have relation to code and we should be familiar with codes, but more important the reason behind them. You will also develop a sense particular to your region.
For example; in Utah we no longer require AFCI’s and I do not recommend an upgrade, because my opinion is in agreement with what the state of Utah determined as to why they are no longer required). However I do recommend GFCIs be installed to current standard regardless of the (code) requirements of when the home was built. Same for seismic straps on water heaters, a water heater (gas or electric) will tip over just as easy if it was manufactured in 1972 as the ones manufactured since code required it.
An inverse example is that in my area, the “Code Inspectors” do allow attic accesses in garage ceilings (common attic to living space, no firewall in attic). I do feel there is a potential safety issue with this “being allowed” so I have a few canned statement to fit this. Basically pointing out that it is common and allowed by local jurisdictions but also important that it remain in place because of fire and or CO…blah blah… so my clients don’t wake up in the morning dead from CO poisoning.
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Hi Clarence, not much to add but just wanted to say good luck on the jump into home inspection! Also, a lot of the report software companies have free webinars that are helpful in general to understanding how their software works, and some have YouTube channels as well. Look at as many as you can…wish I had done that!
There’s no such thing as grandfathered items. Inspection reports should not be aggressive. They should be factual.
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We are not code inspectors. No state SOP requires home inspectors to inspect for code compliance. No trade association SOP requires home inspectors to inspect for code compliance.
Telling a new home inspector that he should base his inspections on building codes in any way is wrong and irresponsible.