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Inspect This Home Inspections Army Veteran Owned · NY Licensed
Specimen report

What a home inspection report looks like

This is a complete inspection report in the format Lou writes them — every system, the same comment key, the same plain-language summary at the end. Read it before you book, so nothing about the deliverable is a surprise.

Read this first

The property and the findings are illustrative. The photographs are real. There is no 100 Example Avenue, no customer, and the defects below were composed to show the structure and the depth of a real report.

The photographs are Lou's own, from actual inspections, because a drawing of a cracked foundation proves nothing. Every one is a close-up of a building component, chosen because it shows no address, no house number, no door, no face and nothing belonging to anybody. No customer's report is published on this site, and none ever will be — a report is the client's confidential document about their own home.

Report ID
SPECIMEN — not a job number
Date
Illustrative
Property
100 Example Avenue, Massapequa, NY (fictional)
Customer
Specimen — no real client
Type of building
Single family, 2 storey, expanded Cape
Approx. age
74 years
In attendance
Customer and their agent
Weather
Clear, 61°F, ground damp
Inspector
Louis Rubino, NY Licence #16000039568
Standards
19 NYCRR Part 197-5; InterNACHI #09120509
10systems inspected
47items reported
7safety items
3stated as not inspected

What the four labels mean

Every item carries one of four labels, so you can tell at a glance whether something needs your money or just your attention. Lou's PDF prints these as the trade abbreviations IN, RR, NI and NP — spelled out here, because nobody buying their first house should have to decode an acronym to find out whether the roof is a problem.

StateWhat it means
Inspected Looked at it, no problem found. I visually observed the item and, unless a comment says otherwise, it appeared to be performing as intended allowing for normal wear and tear.
Needs repair Something needs doing. The item is not performing as intended, or needs further inspection by a qualified contractor.
Not inspected I could not check it. I did not inspect it and make no representation about it. New York requires a reason to be stated, and one always is.
Not present This house does not have one. The item is not in this home.

An item can carry more than one label — "Looked at it" and "Something needs doing" together means Lou examined it and found something, which is the commonest combination in any real report.

A recommendation to repair or replace suggests a second opinion or further inspection by a qualified contractor. Costs for further inspection and for repair should be considered before you buy.

1. Roofing, chimneys, roof structure and attic

7 items · 5 need work

The inspector observes the roof covering, drainage, flashings, skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations, and signs of leaks or abnormal condensation. New York requires the method used to observe the roof to be reported, which is why the first line below exists.

Viewed roof covering from
Walked
Roof type
Gable, with rear shed dormer
Roof covering
Architectural asphalt shingle
Chimney (exterior)
Masonry, clay flue liner
Skylights
None
Roof ventilation
Ridge vent and soffit vents, passive
Method used to observe attic
Entered and walked on decked area
Roof structure
2 x 6 rafters, 16" on centre
Attic access
Pull-down stairs, hallway
Attic insulation
Fibreglass batt, approx. R-19
1.0

Roof coverings

Inspected Needs repair

Shingles are approximately 12 years into a stated 30 year product and are performing. Granule loss is even and consistent with age.

Three tabs are lifted at the rear slope above the dormer, and the nail heads are exposed on two of them. This is where water gets in first on this roof geometry. Recommend sealing and re-securing by a licensed roofing contractor before the next winter.

Inspection photograph of asphalt roof shingles with defects marked by arrows
Photograph 1.0-1Asphalt shingles with each defect arrowed rather than described in the abstract.
Inspection photograph of a slate roof with individual defects outlined in red across the slope
Photograph 1.0-2A slate slope with every individual defect boxed. This is what "photographs of every noted item" means in practice.
1.1

Flashings

Needs repair

Chimney step flashing has been surface-sealed with roof cement rather than replaced. The cement is cracked on the west side. Roof cement is a repair with a short life; it is not a substitute for flashing. Recommend proper step and counter flashing by a licensed roofer.

Inspection photograph of a roof slope with an area of concern outlined in red
Photograph 1.1-1An area of concern boxed on the slope so it can be found again from the ground.
1.2

Skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations

Inspected Needs repair

Chimney crown has hairline cracking. Not urgent, but it is the path water takes into the masonry, and freeze-thaw widens it every winter. Recommend a crown repair within the next two seasons.

1.3

Roof drainage systems (gutters and downspouts)

Needs repair

Gutters hold standing water and debris at the rear. The rear right downspout discharges within six inches of the foundation. On this lot, which slopes back toward the house, that is the most likely single cause of the basement dampness noted at item 7.2.

Recommend cleaning, re-pitching, and extending discharge a minimum of four feet from the foundation. This is the cheapest item in this report and it addresses the most expensive one.

Inspection photograph of a gutter holding leaf debris and standing water, with arrows marking the blocked run
Photograph 1.3-1Gutter run holding debris and standing water. The arrows follow the length of the blockage.
Inspection photograph of a downspout discharging at the base of a masonry wall
Photograph 1.3-2Downspout discharging straight to the base of the wall instead of away from it.
1.4

Roof structure and attic

Inspected

Rafters and sheathing show no sag, no active leak staining and no delamination. Two older stains at the chimney bay were probed and read dry at the time of inspection; they are consistent with the flashing repair described at 1.1 rather than an active leak.

Close-up inspection photograph of a roof edge showing layer build-up
Photograph 1.4-1Roof edge in close-up. Layer build-up at the eave is where ice damming starts.
1.5

Attic ventilation fans and thermostatic controls

Not present

Not present. Ventilation is passive, via ridge and soffit.

1.6

Insulation in attic

Needs repair

Batt insulation is compressed and displaced along the eaves, and the soffit baffles are blocked in four bays. This starves the ventilation path and is a common cause of ice damming on Long Island Capes. Recommend re-seating the batts and installing baffles.

2. Exterior

5 items · 5 need work
Siding
Vinyl over original cedar shingle
Trim
Aluminium wrapped
Exterior entry doors
Steel insulated
Walkways and driveway
Concrete, asphalt drive
Grading
Slopes toward structure at rear
2.0

Wall cladding, flashing and trim

Inspected Needs repair

Vinyl siding is intact. Two panels at the rear left corner are loose at the lock and should be re-seated.

Note for your planning: the vinyl was installed over the original cedar. That is normal and not a defect, but it means the sheathing behind it was not visible to me at any point.

2.1

Grading and surface drainage

Needs repair

Grade falls toward the rear foundation wall over approximately 20 feet. Combined with the downspout at 1.3, this directs roof and surface water at the corner where interior dampness was found. Recommend re-grading to fall away a minimum of six inches over ten feet.

2.2

Walkways, patios and driveways

Needs repair

Front walk has a raised slab with roughly a one inch vertical lip at the second joint. That is a trip hazard and it is the kind of thing a buyer only notices after closing.

Inspection photograph of exterior concrete steps with spalled treads and open joints
Photograph 2.2-1Exterior steps with spalled treads and open joints. Water gets into the joint, freezes, and takes the tread apart.
2.3

Decks, balconies, stoops, steps and porches

Needs repair

Rear deck is ledger-attached with nails, not lags or through-bolts, and no flashing was visible at the ledger. Deck ledger failure is sudden rather than gradual. Recommend evaluation and correction by a licensed contractor before the deck is loaded.

Guard rail spacing at the deck measures approximately 5.5 inches. The current standard is a 4 inch sphere. This is the single most common safety item found on decks of this age.

2.4

Vegetation affecting the structure

Needs repair

Foundation plantings are in contact with the siding along the east elevation, and a limb overhangs the rear roof slope. Both hold moisture against the building and provide a path for pests.

Inspection photograph of decayed painted woodwork with biological growth in a narrow side yard
Photograph 2.4-1What trapped moisture does to painted woodwork in a narrow side yard: decay and biological growth, out of sight from both houses.

3. Garage

3 items · 3 need work
Type
Attached, one car
Vehicle door
Sectional steel, one automatic opener
Floor
Concrete slab
3.0

Garage vehicle door and operator

Needs repair

The photo-eye safety reverse did not function on test. The door continued to close with the beam broken. This is a safety item and should be corrected before the home is occupied, particularly if there are children or pets.

3.1

Occupant door (house to garage)

Needs repair

The self-closing hinge has been removed and the door does not latch on its own. On an attached garage this door is a fire separation. Recommend a self-closing, self-latching solid or rated door.

3.2

Garage ceiling, walls and firewall separation

Needs repair

Two penetrations through the common wall for wiring are unsealed. Recommend sealing with a rated material to restore the separation.

Inspection photograph of an open electrical junction box with conductors visible
Photograph 3.2-1An open junction box. Every penetration and every box is opened and looked into, not counted from the doorway.

4. Kitchen, appliances and laundry

6 items · 4 need work
4.0

Ranges, ovens and cooktops

Inspected

Gas range lit and held flame on all burners. Oven reached set temperature.

4.1

Range hood and ventilation

Needs repair

The hood recirculates rather than venting outside, and the filter is saturated with grease. Recirculating is not a defect in itself; the filter is. Clean or replace it.

4.2

Dishwasher

Needs repair

Ran a full cycle without leaking. The drain line is not looped above the connection, so there is no high loop and no air gap. Recommend a high loop to prevent waste water siphoning back into the machine.

Inspection photograph of supply and waste connections under a kitchen sink
Photograph 4.2-1Supply and waste connections under the sink, where slow leaks hide until the cabinet floor fails.
4.3

Countertops, cabinets and sink

Inspected Needs repair

Cabinets are sound. Sealant at the backsplash has failed at the right return and water is reaching the substrate. Re-seal.

4.4

Refrigerator, microwave and disposer

Inspected

Operated at the time of inspection. Appliance life expectancy is not predicted in this report.

4.5

Laundry and dryer exhaust

Needs repair

The dryer exhausts through flexible metal duct rather than rigid, and the appliance cord is run across the duct. Flexible duct sags, and every sag collects lint. Dryer exhaust is one of the few things in a house that starts fires on its own schedule.

Recommend rigid metal duct, the shortest practical run, and the cord routed clear.

Inspection photograph of a flexible metal dryer exhaust duct with the appliance cord run across it
Photograph 4.5-1Flexible duct where rigid belongs, with the appliance cord draped across the run.
Inspection photograph of a washing machine door and gasket
Photograph 4.5-2The washer door and gasket. Appliances are operated, not just looked at.

5. Interior rooms

4 items · 4 need work
Ceilings and walls
Gypsum board; original plaster on second floor
Floors
Oak strip, tile in baths
Windows
Vinyl double hung, insulated glass
5.0

Ceilings, walls and floors

Inspected Needs repair

Second floor front bedroom has a settled crack running from the window head to the ceiling. It is hairline and consistent with normal settlement in a house of this age. Worth monitoring, not repairing structurally.

Thermal imaging photograph of a room interior with a floor temperature reading annotated
Photograph 5.0-1A thermal image with a floor temperature reading. Lou carries an infrared camera, which finds what the eye cannot.
5.1

Windows

Needs repair

Two second floor windows have failed thermal seals, visible as clouding between the panes. The glass units can be replaced without replacing the window.

Thermal imaging photograph of a window wall showing cold bridging in blue
Photograph 5.1-1The same camera on a window wall. Cold bridging shows as blue and tells you where the heat is going.
5.2

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Needs repair

No carbon monoxide alarm was found on the sleeping level, and one smoke alarm is missing from its bracket. New York requires both. Correct before occupancy. This is the least expensive life-safety item in this report.

5.3

Stairs, steps and railings

Needs repair

Basement stair handrail is loose at the upper bracket and terminates two treads short of the bottom.

Inspection photograph of a hand testing stair balusters for movement
Photograph 5.3-1Balusters tested by hand. A guard that looks right and moves under load is still a guard that fails.

6. Bathrooms

3 items · 2 need work
6.0

Hall bath

Needs repair

Tub surround grout is open along the bottom course and the sealant has pulled away. Water is reaching the substrate. This is how a hall bath becomes a kitchen ceiling repair.

Exhaust fan runs but discharges into the attic rather than outside. Recommend ducting to the exterior.

Inspection photograph of a bathroom exhaust fan grille
Photograph 6.0-1The bathroom exhaust grille. Where the duct goes after this matters more than whether the fan spins.
6.1

Half bath, first floor

Inspected

Fixtures secure, drained normally, no active leaks at the supply or trap.

Inspection photograph of a bath basin and tub filler
Photograph 6.1-1Basin and tub filler, run and checked for drainage and leaks at the trap.
6.2

Primary bath

Needs repair

The receptacle beside the basin is not GFCI protected and did not trip on test. Any receptacle within six feet of a basin should be protected. Correct before occupancy.

7. Structural components

4 items · 2 need work
Foundation
Poured concrete
Floor structure
2 x 8 joists, 16" on centre
Basement
Full, partially finished
Method used to observe crawlspace
No crawlspace present
7.0

Foundation, basement and structural components

Inspected

No differential settlement, no displaced framing, no bowing observed. The structure is performing.

7.1

Columns, beams and bearing walls

Needs repair

An adjustable steel column under the main beam is not fastened at the top plate and shows surface corrosion at the base where it meets the slab. Recommend fastening and evaluation of the base by a licensed contractor.

Inspection photograph of corrosion at the base of a steel support
Photograph 7.1-1Corrosion where steel meets its bearing point, at the base of a support.
7.2

Signs of water penetration

Needs repair

Efflorescence and staining on the rear foundation wall over approximately eight feet, with elevated moisture readings at the base of the finished wall in that bay. Two cracks in that run were marked and gauged, so their width can be measured again rather than argued about — the photographs below show how that is recorded.

I want to be plain about this one, because it is the finding that matters most in this report. The cause is very likely exterior and cheap: the downspout at 1.3 and the grade at 2.1 are both delivering water to exactly this corner. Correct those first and re-assess after a heavy rain. Interior systems are for when exterior correction has not worked, not before.

Inspection photograph of a marked crack in a painted block foundation wall
Photograph 7.2-1Crack in a painted block foundation wall, marked up so it can be found again.
Inspection photograph of a crack traced in red through brick and mortar with a numbered crack gauge fitted across it
Photograph 7.2-2A crack traced through brick and mortar, with a numbered gauge fitted across it so movement can be measured on a return visit.
7.3

Finished basement areas

Not inspected

Reason stated: wall and ceiling finishes conceal the foundation and the framing over roughly 60% of the basement. I cannot report on what I cannot see, and I do not open finished surfaces. New York requires that a reason be given whenever an item is not inspected, and this is that reason.

Inspection photograph looking along a crawlspace
Photograph 7.3-1The crawlspace, entered and looked along. Concealed does not mean skipped - it means reported with a reason.

8. Plumbing system

5 items · 3 need work
Water source
Public
Supply piping
Copper, with a section of galvanised at the meter
Drain, waste and vent
Cast iron and PVC
Water heater
Gas, 40 gallon, 11 years old
Main shut-off location
Basement, front wall at the meter
8.0

Interior supply and distribution

Inspected Needs repair

Functional flow and pressure at all fixtures with two run simultaneously. A remaining section of galvanised supply at the meter is original. Galvanised corrodes from the inside and gives no warning before it restricts. Budget for replacement; it is not an emergency.

Inspection photograph of a cellar water service entry - shut-off valve, meter and copper pipework against a whitewashed stone foundation wall
Photograph 8.0-1The water service where it enters the cellar: main shut-off, meter and the bonding jumper. The arrow marks the noted item.
Inspection photograph of main water shut-off valves and a water meter with labelled callouts
Photograph 8.0-2Main water shut-off valves and the meter, labelled on the photograph itself so you can find them in an emergency.
8.1

Water heater

Needs repair

Operating and producing hot water. The temperature and pressure relief discharge pipe terminates approximately 24 inches above the floor and is copper reduced to a smaller diameter. It should be full size and terminate within six inches of the floor. This is a safety item.

At 11 years the unit is at the back end of a typical service life. Expect replacement, and factor it into your number.

Inspection photograph of a gas water heater and its control valve
Photograph 8.1-1The water heater and its gas control. Age, venting and the relief discharge are all checked here.
8.2

Drain, waste and vent systems

Needs repair

Kitchen trap arm has an S-trap configuration, which can siphon the trap dry and let sewer gas into the room. Recommend correction to a properly vented P-trap.

Inspection photograph of a cellar floor drain and cleanout
Photograph 8.2-1Cellar floor drain and cleanout, located and reported.
8.3

Fuel storage and distribution

Inspected

Gas piping is supported and no leaks were detected at accessible connections.

Gas piping is supported and no leaks were detected at accessible connections.

Inspection photograph of a gas service regulator and piping at an interior corner
Photograph 8.3-1Gas service regulator and piping where it enters the building. The arrow marks the noted item.
Inspection photograph of a black iron gas piping run
Photograph 8.3-2Black iron gas piping, checked for support and for corrosion at the joints.
8.4

Sump pump

Not present

Not present.

9. Electrical system

5 items · 3 need work
Service
Overhead, 150 amp, 120/240 volt
Panel type
Circuit breakers
Panel location
Basement, front wall
Branch wiring
Copper, non-metallic sheathed
Panel cover removed
Yes — required in New York
9.0

Service entrance, panel and overcurrent devices

Needs repair

The panel cover was removed and the interior observed. New York requires this, and it is where most real electrical findings live.

Two circuits are double-tapped on single breakers not rated for two conductors. One neutral shares a terminal with a second neutral. Neither is dramatic on its own, and both are inexpensive corrections by a licensed electrician.

Inspection photograph of an electrical service panel with the cover removed showing breakers and conductors
Photograph 9.0-1The service panel with the cover removed. New York requires this, and it is where the real electrical findings live.
Inspection photograph of a multi-occupancy electric meter bank with circuits labelled by floor
Photograph 9.0-2A multi-occupancy meter bank with the circuits labelled by floor, so the report says which meter is yours.
9.1

Grounding and bonding

Inspected

Grounding electrode conductor present and connected. Water service bonding jumper present at the meter.

Inspection photograph of a grounding and bonding block with conductors landed
Photograph 9.1-1The grounding and bonding block with every conductor landed and checked.
Inspection photograph of a grounding conductor at its termination point
Photograph 9.1-2The grounding conductor at its termination.
9.2

Receptacles, switches and fixtures

Needs repair

Three receptacles tested with reversed polarity, two in the dining room and one in the basement. An open ground was found at one basement receptacle. All are correctable by a licensed electrician.

Inspection photograph of a receptacle tester plugged into an outlet
Photograph 9.2-1A receptacle tester in the outlet. Every accessible receptacle is tested, not sampled.
9.3

GFCI and AFCI protection

Needs repair

No GFCI protection at the exterior receptacles, the garage or the primary bath basin. Kitchen counter receptacles are protected and tripped correctly on test.

9.4

Knob and tube or aluminium branch wiring

Inspected

None observed in accessible areas. Note that concealed wiring cannot be ruled out in a house of this age.

10. Heating and central air conditioning

5 items · 4 need work
Heating type
Gas fired forced hot air
Furnace age
Approx. 16 years
Distribution
Metal ductwork, insulated in unconditioned space
Cooling
Split system, condenser approx. 9 years
Filter
Disposable, at the return plenum
10.0

Heating equipment

Inspected Needs repair

The furnace responded to the thermostat, produced heat and cycled off normally. Temperature rise measured within the range on the data plate.

The filter is heavily loaded and the return is drawing air around it. Replace and set a schedule.

At 16 years this unit is past the middle of its service life. It is working today. Plan for replacement rather than being surprised by it.

Inspection photograph of a gas shut-off valve and connector at an appliance
Photograph 10.0-1Gas shut-off and connector at the appliance.
10.1

Heat exchanger

Not inspected

Reason stated: the heat exchanger is not fully visible without dismantling the furnace, which is beyond the scope of a visual inspection. No smell, staining or flame disturbance was observed. If you want certainty, a heating contractor can perform a combustion analysis.

10.2

Venting, flues and chimneys

Needs repair

The flue connector has a section with a downward slope before it enters the chimney thimble, and one joint is unsecured. Combustion venting is a safety item. Recommend correction by a licensed heating contractor.

Inspection photograph of a rooftop chimney with a metal flue cap
Photograph 10.2-1Chimney and flue cap at roof level. Combustion venting is checked from both ends, not just at the appliance.
10.3

Cooling equipment

Inspected Needs repair

Cooling operated with a measured split within normal range. Condenser fins are bent over roughly a quarter of the coil and the unit is not level on its pad. Both reduce efficiency and shorten life.

Inspection photograph of an air conditioning condenser on a flat roof with its service disconnect alongside
Photograph 10.3-1Condenser and its service disconnect. Access, clearance and the disconnect are all part of the check, not just whether cold air arrives.
10.4

Condensate handling

Needs repair

The secondary condensate drain terminates over the furnace cabinet. If the primary blocks, water lands on the equipment. Recommend re-routing.

General summary

Every real report ends here. The summary is not a separate opinion — it is the same findings, sorted so you know what to do on Monday morning.

Safety items — correct before occupancy

  • No carbon monoxide alarm on the sleeping level; one smoke alarm missing (5.2)
  • Garage door photo-eye safety reverse not functioning (3.0)
  • Water heater TPR discharge undersized and terminating high (8.1)
  • Furnace flue connector sloped and unsecured (10.2)
  • No GFCI protection at exterior, garage and primary bath (9.3)
  • Garage to house door not self-closing; unsealed firewall penetrations (3.1, 3.2)
  • Deck ledger nailed rather than bolted; guard spacing 5.5 inches (2.3)

Do these first — cheap, and they fix the expensive thing

  • Extend the rear right downspout four feet from the foundation (1.3)
  • Re-grade the rear so it falls away from the wall (2.1)
  • Re-assess the basement dampness after a heavy rain before spending on interior systems (7.2)

Repairs to negotiate or budget

  • Chimney step flashing properly replaced, not re-cemented (1.1)
  • Lifted shingle tabs at the rear slope (1.0)
  • Double-tapped breakers and shared neutral; reversed polarity receptacles (9.0, 9.2)
  • Kitchen S-trap corrected to a vented P-trap (8.2)
  • Bath exhaust ducted to the exterior, not the attic (6.0)
  • Tub surround grout and sealant (6.0)
  • Basement column fastened at the top plate (7.1)

Plan for it — working now, finite life

  • Water heater, 11 years (8.1)
  • Furnace, 16 years (10.0)
  • Remaining galvanised supply piping at the meter (8.0)
  • Two failed thermal seals in second floor windows (5.1)

What I could not see, and why

  • Roughly 60% of the foundation and framing, concealed by basement finishes (7.3)
  • The heat exchanger, not visible without dismantling the furnace (10.1)
  • Sheathing behind the vinyl siding, concealed by the cladding (2.0)

New York requires an inspector to state a reason whenever something is not inspected. A report that quietly omits what it could not reach is not doing its job.

Questions about home inspection reports

What does a home inspection report look like?

Like the specimen above: a cover with the property and conditions, a labelled section for each system, numbered items with a photograph on anything noted, and a summary at the end that sorts the findings by what actually needs doing. A real one on a real house usually runs around 70 pages, and past 100 on a big one, because most of the length is photographs.

How long is a home inspection report?

Lou's run around 70 pages on a typical house, and past 100 on a large one. Page count is a poor measure of quality on its own — what matters is whether every noted item carries a photograph and a plain-language explanation, and whether the things the inspector could not see are stated with a reason.

What must a New York home inspection report include?

New York inspectors work to 19 NYCRR Part 197-5. Among other things it requires the inspector to report the method used to observe the roof and the attic, to remove the electrical panel cover rather than inspect it closed, and to state a reason whenever something is not inspected. More on the New York standards.

Will the report tell me what repairs cost?

No, and be wary of one that does. An inspection report identifies and documents conditions; pricing the work is the contractor's job, and an inspector who quotes repairs on their own findings has a conflict of interest. The report gives you the evidence to get real quotes.

Can I see a real report from one of your inspections?

Not published on a website — a finished report is the client's confidential document about their own home, and it names their property. Call and ask, and Lou will walk you through a real one with the client's details removed.

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