Style and Technique for Superior Inspection Reports

Course Description
There is no single correct way to write a home inspection report, yet every home inspector will define their brand by the type and style of inspection report they write. This class is designed to improve report writing by helping inspectors find and hone a voice and style that suits their business. We will begin by reviewing several basic writing techniques and then examine actual inspection reports and observation language. We will review commonly misused home inspector words, look at how we use qualifiers and examine how to write testing procedure notes and representative observations to lower our liability. 

Timed Outline

  1. 05 Min - What is great writing? 
  2. 15 Min - Active Voice VS Passive Voice.
  3. 10 Min - Removing the Clutter.
  4. 15 Min - Choose Your Words Carefully.
  5. 15 Min - Reporting philosophy.
  6. 10 Min - Report Writing Style.
  7. 15 Min - Defining Your Process.
  8. 05 Min - Writing Overview Statements.
  9. 05 Min - Using Qualifiers.
  10. 10 Min - Writing Representative Observations
  11. 15 Min - When and How to Recommend: Additional Inspection, Further Evaluation and Repairs

Learning Objectives
  1. Identify and develop a unique writing voice and style that aligns with the individual brand and professional approach of each home inspector, enhancing the distinctiveness and effectiveness of their inspection reports.
  2. Understand and apply fundamental writing techniques to create clear, concise, and accurate home inspection reports, focusing on structure, grammar, and readability to improve communication with clients.
  3. Analyze and critique real-life home inspection reports to learn from practical examples, identifying strengths and weaknesses in observation language and report organization to improve one's reporting skills.
  4. Recognize and correct commonly misused terms and phrases in home inspection reporting, improving the accuracy and professionalism of the language used in reports to build credibility and trust with clients.
  5. Learn how to effectively incorporate qualifiers and testing procedure notes in inspection reports, aiming to minimize liability while providing thorough and reliable documentation of the home inspection process.
Bio of the Instructor - Dylan Chalk Bio/Resume

Dylan Chalk is the owner of Orca Inspection Services LLC - www.orcainspect.com, the co-founder of ScribeWare LLC www.scribeware.com, and the owner of HouseTalk clock hour school #S1792. He is also the author of The Confident House Hunter - Cedar Fort Press 2016: www.dylanchalk.com. Dylan is a Washington State Licensed home inspector #365 and a Structural Pest Inspector #65540, and a licensed real estate clock-hour #I4978. Chalk is educationally certified by Inspection Training Associate (ITA), a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (AHSI), and has performed more than 6000 structural home inspections since 2003. He has been certified as an Energy Star Tuned-Up Verifier and a certified Tune-Up energy audit inspector. He served as the President of the Washington Chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) from 2018-2020. He was an adjunct professor at Bellingham Technical College teaching home inspection. He has earned a BA from The Colorado College.



Stairway Inspections

Course Description
This 2.0-hour session will provide participants with an introduction to residential interior stairway inspection including materials found and common defects. Topics will include stairways, landings, risers, treads, hand/guard rails, criteria and tools for inspections, and common defects. This class is applicable to anyone desiring to learn about inspection of interior stairways and best practices regarding these systems.

Timed Outline
  1. Components, definitions, stairway types - 30
  2. Dimensions, landings, and defects - 30
  3. Interior stairway guards and handrails - 30
  4. Interior handrail acceptable profiles - 10
  5. Interior stairway common defects - 20
Learning Objectives
  1. Nomenclature specific to interior stairway components and systems
  2. Examples of different types of stairways materials and installation procedures
  3. Interior guard and handrails
  4. Minimum and maximum dimensions of components
  5. Common defects found in interior stairway components and systems
Bio of the Instructor - Michael Casey
Michael Casey, ACI, MCI is the principal of Michael Casey & Associates; a national A.M. Best recommended consulting firm based in San Diego and Director of Education with Home Inspection University. Mike is past president of the California Real Estate Inspection Association (1994/1995) and of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) (2002). Mike is multi-code certified by the ICC and IAPMO. He is a licensed general, plumbing, and mechanical contractor in several states and a Virginia Licensed Home Inspector. Besides co authoring several books in the Code Check series and Code History Master, Michael has authored numerous other technical books, has taught home, and commercial building inspection nationwide and has an expert witness and claims consulting practice throughout North America since 1987. Mike has inspected over 10,000 buildings in his over 37-years career in the inspection profession as well as been consultant or expert regarding hundreds of inspector and other claims for both claimants and defendants.



Crawl Space Inspections

Description:
This 2.0-hour session will provide participants with an introduction to residential crawl space inspection including materials found and common defects. Topics will include vapor retarders, ventilation, risers, foundation, floor structure, insulation, HVAC/plumbing/electrical, water/moisture intrusion and tools for inspections, and common defects. This class is applicable to anyone desiring to learn about inspection of residential crawlspaces and best practices regarding these systems.
Timed Outline

  1. Introduction 3 min

  2. What is considered a crawlspace and what are the minimum inspection requirements 5 Min

  3. Things to note before entering crawlspace 12 min

  4. Equipment/Tools 2 min

  5. Observations from within the crawlspace 4 min

  6. Vapor Retarders 8 min

  7. Ventilation 11 min

  8. Foundation 8 min

  9. Floor Structure 30 min

  10. Insulation 7 min

  11. HVAC 12 Min

  12. Plumbing 6 Min

  13. Electrical 4 Min

  14. Water/Moisture Intrusion 8 min

Learning Objectives

  1. Understanding what a crawlspace is

  2. Understanding things that should be observed prior to entering a crawlspace to help locate potential issues

  3. Understanding useful and recommended tools for crawlspace inspections

  4. Understanding what vapor retarders are and where they are required

  5. Understanding how much ventilation is required and when

  6. Understanding foundation types and common defects found

  7. Understanding common defects found when inspecting the floor structure 

  8. Understanding common defects with insulation within a crawlspace

  9. Understanding HVAC components found in a crawlspace and common defects found

  10. Understanding plumbing found within a crawlspace and common defects found

  11. Understanding electrical splices within a crawlspace

  12. Understanding water/moisture intrusion and its effects on the crawlspace and the components within it

Bio of the Instructor - James Reeves

James is the owner of Diamondback Inspection Service LLC- www.diamondbackinspectionservice.com, James is a SC State Licensed home inspector #49683 and has professional experience in residential construction dating back to 1991. He started his construction career as a plumber and after learning and working in all aspects of construction over his career, he and his father started a construction company that began as a repair/renovation business and ended up specializing in crawlspace repair. He then closed his business in 2005 after getting into manufacturing where he spent 16 years with the last 10 as an engineer prior to leaving to become a home inspector. 



Grounding and Bonding

This is a test course.

Inspecting Garage Overhead Doors

To enter the class, press the enrol button
You need to pass the exam on this page.
You will have 90 days to complete this exam and credit will not be given unless the test is complete.
Inspecting Garage Overhead Doors - This course is designed to provide an overview of the methods and materials necessary for proper installation and defect recognition of overhead garage doors.
2 Hours of State of Illinois Mandatory CEU's
2 Hours of ASHI MRC's
2 Hours of NACHI CE's

Plumbing Advance

This class is live only.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning and the end of the presentation.

This Plumbing Advance class for home inspectors is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of residential plumbing systems. Through a combination of lecture and hands- on training, students will learn to identify and inspect the various components of plumbing systems, including pipes, fixtures, and valves. The course will cover topics such as water supply systems, drainage and waste systems, venting, traps, and cross-connections. Students will also learn about common plumbing issues and how to identify them, as well as how to assess the condition of a plumbing system and report findings to clients. By the end of the course, students will have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently inspect and report on plumbing systems in residential properties.


3 Hours of State of Mandatory Illinois CEU's

20220727 AC Live / Webinar

To enter the class, press the enrol button
You need to pass the exam on this page.
You will have 90 days to complete this exam and credit will not be given unless the test is complete.
AC1-Air Conditioning - This course is designed to provide an overview of the methods and materials necessary for proper installation and defect recognition of an air conditioning system and evaporative coolers.
3 Hours of State of Illinois Mandatory CEU's
3 Hours of ASHI MRC's
3 Hours of NAHI CE's

Home Inspector Act and Rule

This class is live only.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning and the end of the presentation.

Home Inspector Act and Rule - The entire act and rule is read and explanations of how it pertains to our profession.  History of other disciplines are discussed in detail.  Verifying that your agreement and report are in compliance with the IDFPR is obviously important and discussed.  This course should be mandatory for every home inspector.  Knowing the law is the first step in keeping your record clean and avoiding fines/citations from the IDFPR.  

3 Hours of State of Mandatory Illinois CEU's