Is it the shiny new drone that you use for roof inspections? Or maybe the simple flashlight that lets you keep working in dark, confined spaces? Maybe it’s the home inspection reporting app that makes every part of your job easier. What’s the most important tool in your home inspector toolkit? Chances are, you’ve got more than one that you just can’t live without.
Flashlights Brighten Dark Corners and Suss Out Spiders Before They Find You
Without a flashlight, you couldn’t inspect crawl spaces. Attics might also be difficult, at least the ones without any overhead lighting. Flashlights help improve the view inside dark utility closets and illuminate defects such as water leaks in areas where they’d otherwise be hard to spot.
What flashlight is in your kit? Here are a few qualities to look for:
- LED illumination that lasts longer and shines brighter
- Hands-free capabilities using magnets or hooks
- Water resistance
- Lightweight material
You might also want a couple of backup flashlights. A hand-crank style works great in an emergency, such as when batteries die unexpectedly. A small, pen-style flashlight reaches into tight spaces.
For every electrical problem, there’s a device that can bring it to light.
Electrical Testers Spot a Host of Potential Defects
Electrical problems are some of the most common defects that home inspectors find. Unfortunately, the scope of possibilities is enormous. The more you can do with a tester, the better you’ll understand the house you’re inspecting.
Here’s what you need in electrical testers (you probably carry more than one):
- Non-contact voltage tester to simply and safely detect the presence of electricity
- Electronic voltage tester to measure voltage that’s present
- GFCI outlet tester
- Circuit breaker finder to quickly trace the receptacle to the breaker that serves it
- Continuity tester that spots a defective switch
- Multimeter that does several jobs with one tool
A Moisture Meter Helps Find Leaks and Water Damage That You Otherwise Couldn’t See
Not every leak is as obvious as a rood dripping into the attic or a spewing water supply line. The longer a leak goes unchecked, the more damage it can do. Using a moisture meter, you can find moisture even if there’s no staining or evidence of pooled water.
These three tools probably belong in your kit:
- Pinless, non-damaging moisture meter for hard materials such as masonry and hardwoods
- Pin-style meter for more precise moisture measurement in softer materials, such as wood
- Moisture meter probe attachment for deeper readings
A Simple, Telescoping Mirror
If you’ve ever wished you could see around corners and underneath a refrigerator, you already know why a mirror is important. It’s probably the cheapest tool in your bag, but it might come in handy every day.
Mirrors only need a few features to work like they should:
- Long, flexible, telescoping arm
- Small mirror face to fit into tight places
- Flexible head
With the right reporting app, you can send a report from your vehicle before heading out to the next inspection.
A Home Inspection Reporting App Makes Documenting an Inspection Quicker and Easier
A hard copy home inspection still works, but it can’t compare to the convenience of an app for your mobile device. There are plenty to choose from, but buyer beware. Some of the most expensive apps come with system and operational requirements that make work harder, not easier.
These features make an app something you’ll want to use every day:
- Easy learning curve that doesn’t require hours of reading and practice
- Standalone software with cloud storage that doesn’t require syncing with a computer
- Easily customized appearance for reports with your logo and contact information
- Pre-made report comments to use as needed, which save time
- Simple process for adding non-standard inspection items to the report, such as a hot tub or a shed
- The ability to finalize the report on site and send it to the customer
Tools make your job easier. That’s why it’s so important to research before you make an investment. After all, that’s what tools really are: an investment in the future of your business.
The Report Form Pro home inspection reporting app is designed with the busy inspector in mind. It’s got all of the features you need and none of the headaches that you can do without. Download the app for Android or get it for iPhone in just a few clicks.