Narrative configuration per sub-section

The Narrative configuration block is the last block of the sub-section editor. It is here that you decide which narratives Lumos suggests to the inspector when they write this sub-section, and how much flexibility they have to add custom content.

The block in detail

Narrative configuration block with global checkboxes, counter, and list

When expanded, the Narrative configuration block shows:

2 global checkboxes: Enable comments and Allow custom narratives.
A Predefined narratives sub-section with a counter (e.g. “24”) and a + Add a predefined narrative button.
The list of predefined narratives attached to this sub-section.

The 2 global checkboxes

The two checkboxes are independent — they control two different things.

Enable comments

Checked by default. When checked, a “Comment” box appears in the sub-section during inspection writing. The inspector can enter a free text block that adds to the report.

When to use: practically always. Uncheck only if you want to force the inspector to use exclusively predefined narratives for this sub-section.

Allow custom narratives

Checked by default. When checked, the inspector can manually add a narrative (written on the spot or pulled from elsewhere) in addition to those you have predefined.

When to use: almost always. Uncheck only if you want the inspector to be strictly limited to predefined narratives (very constrained template, e.g. for a firm wanting maximum consistency).

Predefined narratives

This is the heart of the block. Each sub-section can have a list of narratives suggested to the inspector, drawn from your Narrative Bank (see Chapter 8).

What they are for

When the inspector writes a sub-section in an inspection, Lumos suggests these predefined narratives in the editor’s side panel. The inspector can:

Insert them in one click when the narrative matches what they observe.
Ignore them if nothing matches.
Add a custom narrative if allowed (checkbox above).

Configuring this list well is what gives your template its added value — that is what turns the editor into an intelligent assistant instead of an empty form.

Anatomy of a predefined narrative row

For each narrative in the list:

Drag handle (left) — to reorder.
Title of the narrative (e.g. “Cracked and deteriorated render”).
Type tag (defect, hazard, limitation, etc.).
X button on the right — to remove the narrative from this sub-section. The narrative stays in the Bank, it is simply detached from this sub-section.

The order in the list matches the order narratives are suggested to the inspector in the inspection editor.

Add a predefined narrative

Click + Add a predefined narrative at the top right of the list. The Select a narrative modal opens.

Title + counter (e.g. “723”) — total of narratives available in the Bank.
Search field “Search narratives…” — instant filter on the title.
5 filter dropdowns:
- Inspection type (default “Pre-purchase”).
- Domain (building component).
- Category.
- Type (Information / Limitation / Deficiency / Method).
- Source (System / Personal / Team).
Paginated list of narratives. For each:
- Checkbox for multi-selection.
- Title + tags + domain + category.
- Chevron > to see narrative detail.

Select and confirm

Check the narratives you want to attach to the sub-section, then confirm. The narratives appear immediately in the Predefined narratives list.

Greyed-out items

Some narratives appear in greyed italic in the modal. This means these narratives are already attached to the sub-section you are editing — you cannot add them a second time. To remove and re-add, use the X button in the sub-section’s list.

Remove a narrative from the sub-section

Click the X on the right of the narrative’s row. This removes the narrative from this sub-section but does not delete it from the Bank. You can reattach it later if needed.

To delete a narrative from the Bank itself, use the Narrative Bank (Chapter 8).

Reorder predefined narratives

Drag & drop with the handle on the left of each row. The order in the template is the order of presentation to the inspector in the inspection editor — place the most frequent narratives at the top.

How many narratives per sub-section?

No strict technical limit, but in practice:

Highly standardized sub-section (e.g. Foundations, Roofing) — 20 to 40 predefined narratives. The BNQ template has between 20 and 30 per sub-section.
Less frequent sub-section (e.g. Sump pump) — 5 to 15 narratives.
Rare or very specialized sub-section — 3 to 8 narratives may be enough.

Too many narratives can overwhelm the inspector. Too few force manual composition. Aim for the right balance based on the sub-section’s frequency in your practice.