WiseEyes Home and Property Inspections Inc.

How important is that defect or issue?

Every house has defects! But every defect is not created equal. Some defects are so critical they can make it impossible for you to live in your new home. Others can pose a serious safety risk to you and your family. While others can be dealt with when time and resources allow. Letting you know which is which is an exlusive feature of my home inspection reports.

Every defect in your home inspection report will be rated for importance to help you understand how it effects your purchase and repair plans. Each defect will be flagged with an easy to see graphic that shows the urgency level from 5 (critical to 1 (low).

Urgency levels are my best opinion as to the need for correction of a particular concern or defect. They are based on the visible indications at the time of the inspection. Urgency levels are not directly connected to the cost to repair. A defect with a low urgency may have a high cost (painting the whole house) while a defect rated Serious (4) or even Critical (5) may not be extrememly expensive to repair (a bad GFCI or a contaminated well) Regardless of assigned urgency level any defect can worsen unexpectedly due to conditions that were not visible at the time of the inspection. It is always best and recommended regardless of urgency to make repairs to all defects and as soon as possible.

Urgency Level 5 - Critical
The property is unsafe for habitation by anyone and/or requires a repair that could be very costly and can not be defined with any reliabilty at this time. This level carries the recommendation that proper repairs by appropriate professionals should be made before closing on the property.

Urgency Level 4 - Serious
This defect is likely to be difficult to repair or to worsen quickly causing more extensive damage. Typically fixing this will require a specialist contractor. This rating may also indicate something that would be difficult or unsafe to live with unless it was corrected very soon after occupancy. The costs of an item at this level could be determined with fair reliabilty so that instead of repair a monetary settlement can be made to allow closing to proceed on schedule.

Urgency Level 3 - Moderate
This is harder to repair or replace and has more likelihood of causing more extensive damage in the near future then a minor item if left uncorrected. Items that individually are moderate may have a higher urgency rating if taken collectively they constitute a more difficult or inconvenient defect to fix.

Urgency Level 2 - Minor
Some possibility of causing more extensive damage in the near future and if left uncorrected damage will get worse. Items that individually are minor may have a higher urgency rating if taken collectively they constitute a more expensive or difficult correction.

Urgency Level 1 - Low
Not likely to cause more extensive damage in the near future. Items that individually are low may have a higher urgency rating if taken collectively they constitute a more expensive or difficult correction.

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