The HomeBook

"A Home inspection is only as good as the documentation that supports it."

The HomeBook® was written in 1981 in response to the overwhelming market demand for an accurate and easy-to-understand home inspection reporting system.

The HomeBook® remains unsurpassed in its clarity, simplicity, and insight. The HomeBook® develops these three principles into a reporting system that delivers a comprehensive and invaluable education.

Once complete, The HomeBook® becomes a valuable, owner's manual that grows with you, as you grow in your home. Each section is designed to provide an accurate depiction of what is right - and wrong - with the property, including probable length of life of major appliances, and estimated repairs, costs, and time frames. Our reporting system, The HomeBook®, is considered the "Bible" of the home inspection industry.

The HomeBook® is now in its 23rd Edition.

Reports for the 21st century!

With each completed home inspection, HomePro upgrades the report to a digital format that gives you an electronic format for your records. See PDF samples of the HomeBook here.

The Digital Report Format will:

1. allow us the ability to print the completed report on demand (no more messy handwriting to decipher!),
2. allow us to email the report when necessary (don't have quick access to a fax machine? No problem!), and
3. give us the opportunity to showcase good points and bad points about the home through pictures (a picture IS worth a thousand words!).

The HomeBook home inspection will:

1. Help to create a baseline value point for the property by comparing it with its peers (i.e. houses of similar vintage, material usage, intent).
2. Summarize the significant qualities of the property and the major points of concern.
3. List and price those components that have a high probability of failure within the coming five years (i.e. roofing, heating/air conditioning, water heaters, etc.)
4. Identify potential remodeling problems, such as materials containing asbestos, electrical systems which cannot be expanded (ed. note: why just a kitchen?), old galvanized plumbing supply pipes which will not deliver an adequate supply of water or may leak.
5. Note amateur workmanship or substandard maintenance, or advise you when to consult an expert to look more closely at suspected problem areas.
6. Detail the maintenance for all components of the house.
7. 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.

The HomeBook® contains information on over 600 potential house problems, and for each of those 600 problems The HomeBook® provides:

1. The Causes
2. "What-to & How-to" Solutions
3. The Costs for repair and/or replacement

** Homebuyers should be cautious of home inspectors who will contract home repair by offering their own services **

What does the Homebook include?

Inspectors using the HOMEBOOK cover more than 500 potential problem areas, which are then recorded under one of eight sections in the book:

Structural

Covers the structure of the building in terms of materials used and type of construction. Foundation type, framing materials, and other significant sub-components are noted along with any idiosyncrasies. The inspector/surveyor also checks for major or minor problems in the foundation, floor, wall and roof framing.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - Structure.pdf

Electrical

The electrical system is checked for sufficient capacity and safety, and evaluated in terms of its current condition and suitability for future use. Upgrades and repairs are recommended where appropriate.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - Electrical.pdf

Heating and Air Conditioning

The inspector assesses the capacity of the existing equipment, and by considering the age of the equipment and its intended capacity, approximates the life expectancy and recommends appropriate repairs an upgrades.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - Heat-AC.pdf

Plumbing

The piping and fixtures throughout the house are checked for function flow and life expectancies. They are screened for unsanitary conditions and potential repairs, freeze vulnerability, or spillage/overflow. Laundry equipment, tile work, and domestic water heating equipment are also surveyed.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - Plumbing.pdf

Basement/Crawl Space/Slab

Water seepage probabilities and structural problems are evaluated and remediation advice given if needed. The inspector also looks for possible problem areas that could cause structural problems, such as poor soil, surface drainage, proximity to tree roots and rotating stoops.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - vSlab.pdf

Kitchen

All appliances are operated and deficiencies noted. The inspector approximates the age of each piece and its life expectancy. The inspector may also, depending on the age and usefulness of the kitchen, suggest a budget for repairs ranging from addressing typical minor problems to a complete renovation.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - Kitchen.pdf

Interior

Walls, floors and ceiling surfaces are scanned for problematic conditions, visible evidence of water penetration, potentially dangerous or toxic materials, fire hazards, or security breaches. Ventilation and energy conservation aspects are checked and appropriate upgrades are itemized.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - Interior.pdf

Exterior

The roof (where safe and appropriate), roof runoff controls and landscape drainage are inspected and necessary improvements are recommended. Stoops, steps, walks and drives are checked for voids, surface problems and safety hazards.
Sample from the HOMEBOOK - Exterior.pdf