So if there’s something easy that maybe the home owner can do. Like caulking. How is that written in the report
I write the need (caulking) the location (tub) and the reasons it is needed (water penetration / subsequent damage).
It is up to the home owner to decide if he has the necessary skill to perform a task.
My reports all contain the following caveat:
“Where repairs are needed they should be done by a licensed professional that warranties their work. Sellers that perform the repairs themselves, even if qualified, will not offer or be available to honor a warranty on the same work and may use cheap or substandard parts. Further evaluation of an item may indicate more extensive repairs are needed. These considerations should be made before final purchase of this property.”
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“Caulking should be done in areas noted. This will help with with prevention of any further seepage “
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It’s not your job to police how something is repaired. Just call out the defect in need of repair by a qualified person.
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its not your Job to decide what is simple or not, describe the condition you find and move on, let the client decide if it is simple or the end of the world….
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What everyone else said and I’ll add, what might seem easy or simple to you or me may be a difficult and complicated task for someone else.
Report what you see. I also call out deteriorated or missing paint on the exterior, and peeling paint on the inside if the house was built during or before 1978.
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Thanks for all that responded! I appreciate your knowledge!
I just say “qualified contractor” in these cases. I don’t know the client’s ability, and honestly, caulking is not something most homeowners are especially good at. Heck, many contractors aren’t even very good at it.
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A sample phrase with appropriate insert for the simple problem.
XXX is FUBAR at YYY. This is a simple homeowner task so suck it up buttercup, by a proper set of tools and materials and maintain the home.
Of course as many others point out you have no idea of their capability and what may be easy for you may not be for them.
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You can say that again. To do it right and make it look good takes a certain finesse.
@rparamore I’m with everyone else. Just write it up as in need of repair and move on. What may seem simple to one person could very well make someone else’s brain explode.
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Don’t ever assume a homeowner can do it.
I’ve met plenty of people who may be good in their respective careers but wouldn’t know a screwdriver from a wrench.
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Love the responses 
appreciate it
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I’d also bet you a dozen doughnuts that 98% of Homeowners and 90% of contractors have ZERO clue that all of the old, failing caulking must be removed prior to new caulk being applied!
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That’s good advice, though I think best said verbally and not in writing. So, I agree with Martin’s:
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The sealants must be removed and the surface cleaned properly if sealants are to last any length of time.
With homeowners that might be the case. With contractors it’s all about time and time is money! With contractors it looks nice long enough to collect their money and they are gone.
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For legal liability reasons I would always recommend that any job be done by a licensed and qualified professional.
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What State do you live and inspect in?
Does your State require a license for anyone charging a fee for repairing sealants on the exterior of a home?
Does your State license every home repair function provided for a fee?
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I live in Oklahoma and no they dont require a license for every little thing. I was saying I woudn’t suggest that an unqualified person do anything on a home so they cant come back at me with a frivolous lawsuit if, and when, they mess it up. I am going through the prelicensing courses and I commented to satisfy the forum participation requirement.
Regardless of what your training might say leave out the “licensed” and just state “qualified”. You’re still going to get questions about how to determine “qualified” but at least you don’t have to try explaining “licensed” for work that does not have one.
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