Im not sure if this is ok or if it even matters, but here goes.
I was curious to know if all plumbing items need to be in the plumbing category or if items of plumbing for example the main water shut off which is located at the exterior of the property in my city, Could go in the exterior part of my report.
Does it matter where they go as long as they are addressed or is it a must that it be in the plumbing category? Thank you for answering what may be a Novice question.
I kept all the plumbing together in the plumbing section. Newer homes in my area have a shutoff inside the house or in the garage and that is what I classify as the main shutoff.
Both!
For clarity to the Client, I place the defect in the section where the problem exists.
For clarity for ‘third parties’, eg. Trademen, Realtors, Homeowners/Sellers, etc… I place it in the Category it relates to.
Thus a Hose Bibb issue would be reported in the ‘Exterior’ and the ‘Plumbing’ sections.
A “Shut-Off” is always reported in the Category it pertains to.
Makes sense, but its not an issue to keep everything exterior including water shut off if its found in the exterior correct? My goal is flow of reporting. I want to create a seamless reporting experience for my self. addressing each category as i see it in the inspection if that makes sense
I always reported by ‘system’ and I consider the water shutoff as part of the plumbing system. YMMV
ok but im guessing the question is does it matter. Like are there rules to this or can i design my report as convenient for me as the inspector?
Is that a rule or a preference?
I don’t think it matters that much.
I always tried to make my report as clear and convenient as possible for my client.
I agree, i would think it would do the same for the customer. Im asking because i want to design my inspection flow as i see it and not per category that makes picture organization and bouncing from area to area time consuming and messy, when my camera roll can be fluid and easy for reporting visibly showing my inspection flow. Example if im circling the exterior of the home and see missing light fixture with exposed wiring, im putting that in the exterior side of the report. Under Missing light fixture with exposed wiring exterior, not in the electrical section. i just dont think it makes sense. This is why i ask you all to get a second opinion. I was curious to know if it was like a rule, but im learning its reporting preference. Thank you all for commenting i appreciate your time
There will be many homes that don’t fit into your “method” the way you would like. This occurs because defects that you find will sometimes keep you in one area longer than you like. Each house is different, don’t worry about flow as much as completeness. After you get more experience you may want to refine your approach gathering your observations.
I have a plumbing section that includes the fuel system if applicable, the water main, shut off valves, plumbing supply pipes, waste, drain & vent, and water heater.
I include fixtures in the room they are located for clarity for my clients, such as bathroom, kitchen, laundry, garage, exterior, etc…
I was unlucky enough once to sit through a three hour deposition where one of my inspectors got grilled by a table full of attorneys as they poured through his/our report. One big takeaway was that no one seemed too concerned where anything was in the report… just if it was or wasn’t in there. Granted, this is just one experience so take it for what you will.
I’ve always tried to write/categorize the report keeping in mind who is likely to get the information. Of course, the buyer first but next probably a trade person. It’s nice to have all the electrical things in one section for them. Similar with the other trades. With plumbing for example, anything involving hard/permanent piping I put in the Plumbing section but I will usually put easier things like a leaking showerhead or P-trap in the Bathroom section thinking maybe a handyman will get the report and fix the caulk joints and loose towel bar along with the showerhead and P-trap.
I will also sometimes put a reference in the report - Example: “See the Site/Grounds section later in the report”. (For a wet crawl space that is likely being caused by poor grading).
My preference was to put that in the ‘electrical’ section and describe the flaw and location.
i.e Missing fixture and exposed wiring at “X” location. With a picture showing issue.
I can’t imagine a realtor looking for or expecting an electrical issue listed in the ‘exterior’ section of a report.
I’m in this boat. All electrical issues go in the electrical section, irregardless of where they are in the home. The biggest reason for me is that I don’t want duplicate narratives in different sections of my template.
Who are you writing your report for? Your inspection flow convenience? Your client understanding? The realtor making lists of repair requests for various tradesmen (electrician, plumber, HVAC technician)? For me, all HVAC goes together, be it a damaged B vent cap on the roof, missing return grill in the bedroom, or a missing cover on the furnace air filter. The heating contractor is the one who addresses all these issues. Same is true with other systems. That’s why I report by system.
There used to be an inspection software where you inspected by room but the report was by system. That was ideal.
I use software where I start with a picture and assign it to the finding. I can be in the basement and take a picture of a missing TPR valve extension and assign it to the narration located in plumbing using a key word such as “TPR”. Next take a picture of a junction box with a missing cover plate and assign it to the narration located in electrical using a key word such as “plate” or “cover”. Fast and easy for me, and the report is narrated by system for the convenience of those making use of the report.
Seems to be a common issue with Spectora users.
Go figure.
I don’t write my reports for Realtors (specifically)!
My Client is my primary concern.
As long as they are happy, everyone else can go to hell.
Interesting. 
Why yes, yes it is! 
Ok. Just the first I am hearing about this. I mean, we steal narratives, but as far as I know we don’t put the stolen narratives into a report more than once. That’s like a felony or something.
