Missed item in report

[karenk]

Hello! I am a newby, I have been licensed for a year and a half. I am wondering what other inspectors do when you realize you did not write something up that you saw. It must happen to everyone at some point. Do you call the client and verbally tell them, do you send an amended report? Neither seems very professional and I would think may make the client wonder what else you missed. These are small things, like a saddle valve I noticed and wanted to recommend removal if not in use, as they are known to leak. Things like that. Do you just try to forget about them and try not to miss things the next time around? Thanks for the advice.-Karen

[Mike Lamb]

It happens. If it is not a big deal I send an e-mail and tell them what I forgot and ask them if they want me to do an addendum. Sometimes they do. I do not think it is unprofessional.

I also send my report the next day so I am less likely to forget stuff but it still happens.

[Mark P]

If it was 2 weeks later I'd just let it go. If it was the next day I would ammend the report and send it out again.

[Marc]

It depends on what was missed and its potential for harm.

Saddle valve? That's small potatoes. Forget it.

Marc

[Jerry Simon]

What if you forget to check something? Do you tell your client?

A bit over 20 years ago, I left my first inspection and realized I never checked the furnace. Too embarrassed to tell anyone. Glad the dang thing musta been OK.

(What a maroon.)

[Mark P]

What if you forget to check something? Do you tell your client?

(What a maroon.)

I'd go back and check it. I once forgot the electric panel, because I never saw it. Driving home I realized that I had not seen it. I went back and it took me 20 minutes to find it behind a bunch of crap in a closet.

[Scottpat]

I forgot something yesterday on an inspection, it does not happen very often (that I know of). I remembered it about 4am!

I weighed the impact of it not working and the cost of replacing the item if it was bad and the cost and time of driving 170 miles roundtrip. I think it will be OK!

It was a stupid error on my part and was due partly to me having a nice head cold. We are only human and we will make errors and screw up from time to time.

Kind of feels like home inspector confession time! [:-paperba

[John Kogel]

Use a checklist. I know I know we all hate checklist reports but most software programs operate as a checklist. Use a paper checklist for your notes if you prefer.

Take pictures of those little things. Check over your pics before you send the report out.

[Jim Katen]

Get in the habit of taking a picture of every single item that you wish to discuss in the report. When the report is complete, glance through your pictures to catch anything that you forgot about.

[John Kogel]

I forgot something yesterday on an inspection, it does not happen very often (that I know of). I remembered it about 4am!

It was a stupid error on my part and was due partly to me having a nice head cold.

Good bet you picked up that cold in a house you inspected?

I had a sick home owner in the house yesterday. No rubber gloves in my bag. Every knob and handle in the joint is covered with cold germs and they expect you to carry on like it's no big deal, still got to give 100%.

I washed my hands a lot and got outa there intact. But other times you don't even know they're sick. It's a risky biz.

[karenk]

Thanks for sharing experiences and advice! I am hoping that as I get more experience this will happen less often. I am glad to know I am not the only one this has happened to and will be more confident if I have to send an amended report occasionally.

[Tom Raymond]

I forgot something yesterday on an inspection, it does not happen very often (that I know of). I remembered it about 4am!

It was a stupid error on my part and was due partly to me having a nice head cold.

Good bet you picked up that cold in a house you inspected?

I had a sick home owner in the house yesterday. No rubber gloves in my bag. Every knob and handle in the joint is covered with cold germs and they expect you to carry on like it's no big deal, still got to give 100%.

I washed my hands a lot and got outa there intact. But other times you don't even know they're sick. It's a risky biz.

I carry a giant bottle of hand sanitizer in the center console. I don't need it often, but I have had more than one occasion I was real glad it was there.

[Eric B]

Do you call the client and verbally tell them, do you send an amended report? Neither seems very professional and I would think may make the client wonder what else you missed.

If your client thinks / expects that you're going to see everything then you need to work on communicating the H.I. facts of life - we can miss stuff. If they believe that you have done your very best then those oversights are easier for them to accept.

I've had my share of calling clients to say I forgot something in the report - and I've had them call me to say I forgot to include something. I'm always quick to admit an oversight and to amend the report. The Johnny-on-the-spot approach to making things right is always appreciated.

If you're hoping that eventually you won't experience this anymore I got news for you - it ain't gonna happen.