From intake submission to PE-sealed PDF in the underwriter's file: five business days, standard track. Rush track delivers in three business days for active closings. Batch submissions for LO pipeline management quoted in 24 hours. Every step below documents what we deliver and what we need from the loan officer.
The default pipeline. Five business days from intake submission to sealed PDF in the LO's email and the underwriter's file. This pipeline handled 904 of 996 reports in 2025 — 91% of volume.
LO submits the file via the submit form or direct email. Within one business hour, we acknowledge receipt, request any missing information (typically only when LO hasn't included the FHA case number or target close), and return a written quote covering the full inspection and all standard deliverables. Field-visit date scheduled and confirmed by end of business Day 1.
Our P.E. performs the field inspection in person — no subcontracted inspectors. Foundation walk, under-home photography, utility verification, HUD data plate transcription, HUD certification label recording, site work documentation, towing equipment verification. Field visit typically runs 60–90 minutes; complex sites may run 2–3 hours.
Findings drafted against the HUD 4000.1 II.D.4.b checklist in handbook order. Each finding cites the matching sub-reference, states the determination, and documents the supporting observation. Drafting runs alongside photo selection — only photos that directly support a finding are included.
Photos organized into the six indexed photo sets, captioned and labeled. Photo selection optimized so each Photo Set 0X cleanly supports its matching Finding 0X without filler. Internal QC review by our P.E.: cover sheet values match intake submission, findings match checklist order, photos legible at print resolution.
PE seal applied to the PDF (cryptographic signature with our P.E.'s credentials). Sealed PDF delivered to the LO's email and (with LO permission) directly to the underwriter. Wet-ink originals couriered same day if requested at intake.
For files with rate-lock expiration, active closings, or rescue scenarios. Rush track condenses the standard pipeline into three business days at a 40% surcharge on the standard fee. Handled 92 files in 2025 — 9% of volume.
Both intake and field visit happen on Day 1. We acknowledge within one hour, quote within four hours, and our P.E. is on site within 24 hours of acceptance. Requires LO commitment by end of business Day 0.
Findings and photo appendix drafted in parallel. Internal QC happens end of Day 2. No external dependencies — our P.E. handles drafting and review.
PE seal applied morning of Day 3, sealed PDF in LO inbox by lunch. Wet-ink originals couriered same afternoon if requested at intake. 72-hour total turnaround.
Rate-lock expiration within 7 days, active closings with the structural report as the last condition, or rescue scenarios where a previously-submitted report from another firm was rejected and the file needs a clean re-submission. Not appropriate for "we want it fast" — rush is operationally tight, and we don't add it to files where standard track meets the close.
Loan officers managing a pipeline of FHA MFG-home files can submit them as a batch — one form, one written quote covering all properties, scheduled efficiently against routing. 5+ files in a single submission qualifies for batch pricing.
Thirteen loan officer firms submitted 25+ FHA structural inspections in 2025 under batch terms. Combined volume: 412 reports. Average batch turnaround: 6.8 business days from submission to last sealed PDF.
The minimum information for an intake to convert to a same-day quote. Missing data is the most common cause of Day-1 delays — submissions without an FHA case number or target close add a back-and-forth that pushes the field visit to Day 3.
29 of 996 reports (2.9%) needed underwriter clarification in 2025. Average resolution time: 36 hours from request to revised PE-sealed PDF in the underwriter's file. Detail on the revision workflow in Report § Revision Protocol.
Drop the property address, FHA case number, and target close. Acknowledgment within an hour. Written quote returned same business day. Sealed PDF in your underwriting file in five business days.