TOPIC: The right choice of words in a report.

LOL  so so true!!!

Funny Jay

How about No visible defects?

Funny Jay

How about No visible defects?

I like that less than good, fair, poor.
Clients will read that and add one more word, in their mind.

ever.

The ceiling/floor appeared to be as expected at the time of inspection. Notwithstanding the inoperability of the ceiling (it is simply there and does not "work" like a light switch) and the inspectors inability to determine what, if anything is behind the ceiling finish material (which is drywall), the inspector has determined the ceiling was doing what it should be, when it was inspected.  That does not mean that there are no issues, defects or problems with the ceiling, only that none were visible at the date and time of the inspection.  Inspector makes no warranties or gaurantees about the continued appearance of the ceiling at any point or for any reason in the future.  Ceilings may fail, stain or develop other issues with or without warning at any time.  Because the ceilining is not operational, any current or future defect (observed or unobserved) is most likely (although not always) the result of some other component or system failure.   

LOL. There's a way to create a 100+ page report. Plus, how do you know the ceiling is drywall? Did you scrape the popcorn off? And how do you know it's doing what is supposed to? And you said it was operational but wasn't operational!

Interesting topic.

How do you describe a ceiling?  It really does not function (no on/off), so functions is not a posibility.  I use "appears serviceable". I cannot say "serviceable" because I have no way of testing its serivceability.  At the date and time of the inspection the ceiling appears serviceable.  When the client adds bunk water beds on the floor above, it would probably not remain serviceable for long.

How about "The ceilings were in good condition at the time of inspection".  If it subsequently collapses because the water beds above springs a leak between inspection and closing and the ceiling then becomes the floor, then It really isn't my problem.

This is exactly why I believe the right choice of words is paramount to an inspection and in protecting you as an HI.