The HomeBook®
Your Complete Home Inspection Reporting System
"A home inspection is only as good
as the book it is recorded in."

Considered the "Bible" of the home inspection industry, the HomeBook® Reporting System, ensures that you will have the help and support you need to keep your dream home from becoming a nightmare.

• Why Choose The HomeBook® Reporting System?
• Distinquishing Features of The HomeBook®
• Perspective Approach (and sample page)
• Organization of The HomeBook® (and sample pages)

Over one million customers have had the peace of mind that can come only from The HomeBook®. Written in response to the overwhelming market demand for an accurate and easy-to-understand home inspection reporting system, the HomeBook® is often mimicked, but never matched! Since 1981, The HomeBook® has been continually improved, updated, and expanded. It is now in its 24th Edition.

The HomeBook® remains unsurpassed in its: 1) Clarity, 2) Simplicity, and 3) Insight. The HomeBook® develops these three principles into a reporting system that delivers a comprehensive and invaluable education. It allows the Home Inspector to clearly communicate the problems he finds in the house. This, in turn, allows for more educated and informed decision-making.

Once completed, your HomeBook® becomes a valuable, long-term manual for the home, containing information on over 600 potential house problems. For each of those 600 problems, The HomeBook® provides: 1) The Causes, 2) "What-to & How-to" Solutions, and 3) The Costs for repair and/or replacement.

Digital Report Format, Images included in Every Report!

Since the upgrade of the HomeBook report to a digital format, we now have the ability to print the completed report on demand (no more messy handwriting to decipher!). We can also email the report when necessary (don't have quick access to a fax machine? No problem!). The completed report comes complete with your inspection key sheets, The HomeBook®, and inspection photos (a picture IS worth a thousand words!). With HomePro Inspections, you get the best inspectors using the best reporting system and the latest training and technology - you can't get better than that!

A HomePro home inspection using The HomeBook® can greatly reduce concern by screening for problems and itemizing those problems into a comprehensive, easy-to-read report. This in turn allows a more informed decision. The HomeBook™ will:

1. Put the property into perspective by comparing it with its peers (i.e. houses of similar vintage, material usage, intent).
2. Summarize the major points of concern and the significant qualities of the property.
3. Include the level of complexity of the property and the probability of undiscovered problems.
4. List and Price those components which have a high probability of failure within the coming five years (i.e. roofing, heating/air conditioning, water heaters, etc.)
5. Identify potential remodeling problems, such as materials containing asbestos, electrical systems which cannot be expanded to accommodate a new kitchen, old galvanized plumbing supply pipes which will not deliver an adequate supply of water or may leak, etc.)
6. Note amateur workmanship or substandard maintenance, or advise you when to consult an expert to look more closely at suspected problem areas.
7. Detail the maintenance for all components of the house.
8. List problems in major and minor groupings (Major problems are defined as problems that cost $500 or more to repair or constitute a significant safety hazard).

In addition to documenting a house’s problems, The HomeBook® gives you cost analysis solutions, including approximations of repair costs and recommendations of useful upgrades to property systems. These estimates are extremely useful if any future problems arise after the purchase of the house.

In any event, the home owner can refer to The HomeBook® before relying on contractor trustworthiness. Furthermore, our customers receive The HomeBook® and thier report immediately upon completion of the home inspection, providing an invaluable resource and tool, either for the negotiating process of buying a house, the pre-selling fixup to maximize the selling price, and/or as a customized ongoing maintenance plan.

Our HomeBook® Reporting System is designed to provide you with an objective analysis of the strength and weaknesses of your prospective home.  The more informed you become the more likely you will make a more educated decision and the more prepared you will be to finance improvements should they be necessary.

Our inspectors go through the home with you explaining its systems in detail, answering your questions, and making sure you understand everything, including the visual limitations. Training, experience, and technology give our inspectors insight about houses similar to yours, so they really know what to look for and can readily compare your house and its systems with other houses of similar age and construction.

Perspective Summary - For convenience, the most important information is summarized clearly and concisely at the beginning of the report. Titled the "Perspective Summary", this section illustrates and outlines a general overview of the condition of the house by quickly generalizing the eight categories. (Sample page - Perspective.pdf - 28 Kb)

The HomeBook® organizes information about your home into eight categories:

Each section is designed to provide an accurate depiction of what is right - and wrong - with the home, including probable length of life of major appliances, and estimated repairs, costs, and time frames. Each of these categories has its own color-coded report page, called "Key Sheets", and these itemize the problems into both major and minor problems. The simple color coding makes it easy to find what you are looking for:

• Blue - Documents the general information recorded about the house
• Red - Designates major problems (defined as problems that typically cost $500 or more to repair or which constitute a significant safety risk)
• White - designates minor problems or deferred maintenance items that should be reviewed on a continuous basis to insure that they do not become major problems

1. Structure: The structure of the home is identified in terms of materials used, type of construction, and the degree to which various areas are accessible to the inspector.  Significant subcomponents, such as foundation type, framing materials, etc. are listed, as well as their idiosyncrasies.  Our inspector also checks for major or minor problems in the various structural systems of the building, including the foundation, floor, wall, and roof framing. (Sample page - Structure.pdf - 21Kb)

2. Electrical: The existing electrical system is checked for sufficient capacity and safety.  Our inspector evaluates the system in terms of its current condition, and considers its suitability for future intended use.  The type of wiring used and it's potential for becoming a fire hazard are evaluated.  Upgrades and repairs are recommended where appropriate. (Sample page - Electrical.pdf - 20 Kb)

3. Heating & Air Conditioning: The inspector assesses the capacity of the existing equipment to produce comfortable conditions. By considering the age of the existing equipment and the intended capacity, the inspector can approximate the life expectancy and recommend appropriate repairs or upgrades within a budget. (Sample page - Heating and AC.pdf - 25 Kb)

4. Plumbing: The piping and fixtures though out the house are checked for functional flow and life expectancies. The system is screened for unsanitary conditions and potential repairs, such as freeze vulnerability or spillage/overflow. The laundry equipment, tile work, and domestic water heating equipment are surveyed as well. Useful upgrades are itemized and upcoming replacements budgeted. (Sample page - Plumbing.pdf - 23 Kb)

5. Crawlspace/Slab: Water Seepage probabilities and structural problems are evaluated and remediation advice is given. The inspector looks for possible problem areas that could cause structural problems, such as poor soil, surface drainage, close proximity tree roots, rotating stoops, etc. (Sample page - Crawlspace-Slab.pdf - 21 Kb)

6. Kitchen: The appliances are operated and deficiencies noted. The inspector recommends appropriate upgrades and approximates the life expectancy of each piece of equipment. Depending on age and usefulness, the inspector may suggest a budget for repairs from complete renovation to typical minor problems such as appliance malfunctions, damage to floor seams, or inoperative door springs. (Sample page - Kitchen.pdf - 17 Kb)

7. Interior: The inspector scans the wall, floor, and ceiling surfaces for problematic conditions, such as visible evidence of water penetration, potentially dangerous or toxic materials, fire hazards, or security breaches. The ventilation and energy conservation aspects are checked and appropriate upgrades are itemized. (Sample page - Interior.pdf - 23 Kb)

8. Exterior: The inspector walks on the roof (where safe and appropriate) and notes preservation deficiencies. Roof runoff controls and landscape drainage are checked and improvements are recommended where necessary. Stoops, steps, walks, and drives are checked for voids, surface problems, and safety hazards. (Sample page - Exterior.pdf - 26 Kb)

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on the HomeBook Reporting System, 904-268-8211.