Dear
Inspector,
Stephen
Gladstone will be guest Inspection Tip writer for September
and October.
For
years as an active volunteer firefighter I have practiced
a technique called "size up".
When
approaching a fire scene the firemen look at a structure
for signs of smoke, life threatening situations and the
most sensible way to attack a fire or rescue to save property
and lives.
In
home inspection "size up" is a technique I encourage
when training new inspectors. We pull up to random homes
and call out the more significant items needing repair,
maintenance or upgrades that we can immediately see. Try
not to freak out the inhabitants, this can be done from
the street not in the driveway!
This
initial spotting of problems will help the new inspector
to focus on the more important aspects of the home and gets
them to practice formulating typical comments that will
be written into the report.
My
experience over many training exercises has been this sharpens
your eye to note and more importantly remember, the more
critical list of deficiencies.
Next
time you have a few minutes, go for a ride and stop at a
few homes in a neighborhood. Look at the roof… is it
curling, warping, worn or wearing out. Check the siding,
look at gutters and leaders, slope of the property. Examine
from your vehicle areas of concern and think how you would
write about those concerns.
Try
to formulate what the ten most significant items are and
how you would report them. Also make note of the areas that
limited your view, the maintenance and safety needs of the
home.
If you are using the Kaplan Matrix
or Matrix
Deluxe reporting systems find those exterior comments
and learn where the information is entered on the form.
Practicing in this manner will improve your inspector eye
and your understanding of your report. Learning where all
the comments go will help you fill in the forms better and
faster.
When
you find items you do not understand or know how to explain
take some notes and/or a digital picture and give us a call.
Practice in this business will certainly make you a better
house detective. Try to “size up” many differing
styles of homes and you’ll learn to do the job better
and quicker.
More
next month,
Sponsored by Kaplan's Inspection Expo |
STEPHEN M. GLADSTONE
Managing
Instructor/Campus Director
Kaplan Connecticut
Kaplan Professional Schools
Now You're Ready For Business!™
