What distinguishes an informational note from a reported deficiency?

The distinction is about whether the reader needs to do anything. An informational note records a fact worth knowing that requires no action — the water heater's age, the type of wiring, that the roof covering appears to be a second layer, that the crawl space is sealed rather than vented. A deficiency identifies something that needs attention, whether repair, further evaluation, monitoring or replacement. Keeping the two visually and structurally separate is what makes a report usable, because a reader working through a mixed list has to evaluate every item to find the ones that matter. It also protects the inspector, since a fact recorded as a note is documented as having been observed and reported even though no action was recommended.

A note records a fact the reader should know but need not act on; a deficiency identifies something requiring attention. Whether action is called for is what separates them.

Inspection reports distinguish descriptive information from reported deficiencies. Standards require systems to be described and deficiencies reported, and clear categorization helps the reader identify what requires action.

Does the Reader Have to Do Something? No means note. Yes means deficiency. Nothing else defines the line.

Notes still belong in the report. Recording an observed fact that needs no action documents that it was seen, which matters if it becomes relevant later.

• •Defining the categories by where they appear in the report
• •Omitting informational notes because no action is required
• •Tying deficiency status to whether a cost was estimated