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.
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.
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.
| State | What 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Attic ventilation fans and thermostatic controls
Not present
Not present. Ventilation is passive, via ridge and soffit.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3. Garage
3 items · 3 need work
- Type
- Attached, one car
- Vehicle door
- Sectional steel, one automatic opener
- Floor
- Concrete slab
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.
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.
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.
4. Kitchen, appliances and laundry
6 items · 4 need work
Ranges, ovens and cooktops
Inspected
Gas range lit and held flame on all burners. Oven reached set temperature.
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.
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.
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.
Refrigerator, microwave and disposer
Inspected
Operated at the time of inspection. Appliance life expectancy is not predicted in this report.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Stairs, steps and railings
Needs repair
Basement stair handrail is loose at the upper bracket and terminates two treads short of the bottom.
6. Bathrooms
3 items · 2 need work
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.
Half bath, first floor
Inspected
Fixtures secure, drained normally, no active leaks at the supply or trap.
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
Foundation, basement and structural components
Inspected
No differential settlement, no displaced framing, no bowing observed. The structure is performing.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Grounding and bonding
Inspected
Grounding electrode conductor present and connected. Water service bonding jumper present at the meter.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That is the whole shape of it
A real report on a real house runs longer and carries a photograph on every noted item. If you want to see one before you book, call and ask.