Compare inspection reports and see where the findings differ
Buyers compare inspection reports in a few situations: a seller's pre-listing inspection against their own, a general inspection against a specialist's, or reports on two homes they are choosing between. The reports use different formats and severity labels, so lining them up by hand takes time. Put the reports in one Search+ workspace and ask about one system at a time; each point in the answer cites the report it came from.
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Last updated October 2026
How to compare inspection reports in one workspace
- Upload each report with a clear name
Add the reports named by property or inspector, such as "seller-preinspection" and "buyer-inspection", so citations are easy to read.
- Write the comparison plan
In Workspace Context, list the systems to compare, for example "roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, safety items; note items found in only one report."
- Ask one system at a time
Ask "How does each report describe the roof?" and read both cited excerpts before moving to the next system.
Comparison questions to ask
Which findings appear in our inspection but not in the seller's pre-listing report?
Do the two reports rate the same issue differently, for example as a repair in one and maintenance in the other?
Does the sewer scope report confirm or change what the general inspector said about the drains?
Between these two houses, which report lists more safety concerns, and what are they?
Did either inspector note areas they could not access that the other did inspect?
Where inspection reports usually differ
One inspector may reach the attic or crawlspace while another could not. Differences in limitations explain many differences in findings.
Each inspector uses their own labels. Compare the descriptions, not only the labels.
Reports from different dates can reflect repairs, weather or new damage in between. Check each report's inspection date.
A roof or structural specialist goes deeper than a general inspector. Their report may add, narrow or contradict a general finding.
Search+ writes the comparison in chat and cites each report it uses, so you can open both findings side by side in the excerpts.
Comparison points for inspection reports
| Comparison point | Why it matters | A question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection date | Conditions can change between visits | When was each inspection done? |
| Limitations | Explains missing findings | What could each inspector not access? |
| Safety items | Usually the top priority | Which safety items appear in only one report? |
| Major systems | Expensive to repair | How do the reports describe the roof and foundation? |
| Recommendations | What each inspector wants evaluated | Which items does each refer to a specialist? |
What an inspection report comparison in Search+ is
Comparing inspection reports in Search+ means asking a comparison question across the reports in a workspace and reading a chat answer that cites each report. It is a written summary of where findings differ, not a marked-up report or a new inspection.
Questions about comparing inspection reports
Can Search+ compare the seller's inspection with mine?
Will it tell me which inspector is right?
Can I compare reports on two different houses?
Can it compare reports that use different severity labels?
Will the comparison include every finding?
See what one inspector caught and the other did not
Start a workspace, upload both reports, and ask where they differ.
Start a workspace