Many write defect only reports. Many don't include every defect in their summary, some because of state law. Many don't comment on items if there is nothing wrong. Many won't describe items unless required by law.
I look at it this way. I work for my clients but it is MY business. I choose to report on everything, good or bad as a way to protect myself. I want my clients to know that I physically inspected something and either found a defect or didn't.
The vast majority of my comments are in my library, built into my template. Click the
TITLE and in the report it goes to the appropriate area. Because I comment on everything, my reports take longer but the clients appreciate it. 1 call back in 7 years for an item that was buried by snow on the outside and a wall on the inside. When the client sees a comment, they know you looked. If you don't comment, how does the client know it was inspected? How do you remember 6 or 8 months later if you looked? Lengthy reports? Perhaps. CYA every time. A template is never, ever finished. It evolves over time and with experience. But the initial build could take days or weeks to get it where I want it.
I also am a firm believer that the summary should include every defect, big and small, and it should be at the end of the report. I want the client to read the full report with the defects scattered throughout the report as a preparation for the pages of red ink at the end. It is explained to the client during the introductions.
I am also not a fan of fractured statements. I like full sentences. A one word description like, "Satisfactory", is not my style and I feel is lazy. Once your template is built, it doesn't take any longer to click a full comment than it does a check box, especially if your have given your comments titles. If something doesn't exist, I would never put a comment about something that is not germane to that home.
Rambling and venting over for the night. Back to my Patron Cafe.
