Referencing exterior locations

[tnpappas]

How do you all reference the exterior of the house in your reports. Do you use north, east, west, south, or front, back, right, left?

I was thinking of stating for the purpose of this report all references to the exterior will be addressed as front, back, right, left, as if one were facing the front of the house. What standards do you find easily understandable by anyone reading the report?

[Brad Manor]

I have always used Front and Rear, but a compass direction for the sides.

-Brad

[hausdok]

I normally state in the report introduction which direction the house faces. Then, when I'm describing exterior components or drainage issues, if I mention that something is at the "back" I'll put the direction in parenthesis to reinforce the direction; for instance, I might say, "There is an elevated deck at the back (south) side of the house." After that, I'll reference direction for the sides and front and back when I'm describing the exterior and direction only when inside.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Jim Katen]

How do you all reference the exterior of the house in your reports. Do you use north, east, west, south, or front, back, right, left?

I use compass points because they're hard to misunderstand.

I was thinking of stating for the purpose of this report all references to the exterior will be addressed as front, back, right, left, as if one were facing the front of the house. What standards do find easily understandable by anyone reading the report?

That'd be fine. Lots of inspectors do that. As long as the house is a rectangle, it works great. When you start to get into U-shaped houses, it'll be more of a challenge. With those houses, just stop, think and come up with whatever description seems simple, straightforward and hard to misunderstand. Try to stay away from, "the middle left window in the third bedroom from the right in the back end of the west wing."

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Scottpat]

I use Front, Rear, Left and Right as you are looking at the home from the front door. I used compass points at one time and I found that very few had any idea of North or South but everyone understood Front and Rear. I agree that with odd shape homes it does become more of a challenge but it is not that difficult and those type of homes are not that common. Just keep it simple.

[Michael Carson]

The beginning of the report that I use I have a line that reads "home faces....." when I find something major I reference North, South, etc. unless it something minor then I reference side, back.

[kurt]

How about using a photograph w/a red arrow pointing @ the defect, and saying...."right here"....(?)....

I say N, S, E, or W quite a bit due to the Chicago stree grid; makes it real easy.

But, mostly I use photos with a description and an arrow.

[John Dirks Jr]

I list the compass direction the main entry is facing. From there, I can remember where the "issues" were located. If a compass direction is needed to narrow down the location of an issue, I'll add it to the comment. However, I find that it's not always necessary.