Home Condition Report

This is an objective report compiled during a detailed and careful inspection of a home. The report must be undertaken by a qualified licensed home inspector who has passed the VRQ level 4 in home inspection.

The Home Condition Report is signed off by the Home Inspector and then electronically loaded into the home information pack. The Home Inspector and the condition report has public indemnity insurance which lasts up to 15 years from the date of the inspection.

For the first time the condition of a property is to be determined before it is marketed. Estate agents and home owners need to know exactly what was found during the Home Inspection. For this new process to be successful the home inspectors must liaise closely with the homeowners and marketing agents.

House Inspect's customer service charter ensures this is a priority. In addition, we write the Home Condition Report in plain English and do not use surveying technical jargon. We think that being able to explain a complex problem in plain English is a hallmark of a good inspector.

The inspection is a thorough assessment of every element of a building and its grounds including an energy assessment of the property. The level of detail is similar to a present "home buyers survey" without the valuation element.

The report is electronically generated in a standard format. The report highlights defects which allow homeowners the option to rectify before the property is marketed or obtain quotations so that a potential purchaser can see what the cost of repair is likely to be.

The report is divided in to 8 sections, A to H.

Section A

• Explains the report content and extent of the inspection.
• Gives definitions of the condition ratings.

Section B

• General information about the property.
• Summary of the condition ratings.
• Insurance reinstatement cost.

Section C

• solicitor or conveyancer matters.
• Health and Safety risks.
• Other risks eg subject to flooding.

Section D - Exterior aspects

• Chimneys, roof coverings, gutters, walls, windows, claddings and external decoration.
• Each of these elements is given an objective statement and a condition rating.

Section E - Internal aspects

• Roof structure, ceilings, internal walls, floors, built in fitments and internal woodwork.
• Each of these elements is given an objective statement and a condition rating.

Section F - Visual inspection of Services

• Gas, electricity, heating, water and drainage.
• Each of these elements is given an objective statement and a condition rating.
• A recommendation for a safety inspection or service by a registered engineer may be given in the objective statement.

Section G - Grounds and outbuildings

• Permanent sheds and garages
• Patio areas and garden walls.

Section H - Energy Performance Certificate.

• Please visit the Energy Performance Certificate page for more info.