Originally Posted By: dwengrow This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I was wondering if anybody could tell me how they set up their inspection reports. Do they have a cover sheet? What kind of information does it contain other then the inspection report itself and in what order? Do they use dividers to separate each section? What type of binder do they use for the report?.. I am going to be using Home Gauge software.
Originally Posted By: jonofrey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
David,
I use HomeGauge and it is only very rarely that I ever have to print a report. In fact, I really would try to aviod printing reports for clients. I see no benefit to it over how I am currently providing my reports but plenty of downside such as time and money.
I like the way that the software creates a report summary page automatically from the content of your report. I usually move the summary up to the first thing the client sees rather than the last.
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Well I guess I go absolutely 180 degrees the opposite of John.
I use a cover page with a picture of the inspected property. Then I have a cover letter to the buyer, followed by 8-10 pages of report which is narrative, and written in rtf format. It is a combo of several different HI program ideas which my computer literate programmer brother in law wrote for me. I follow the report with pictures of the defects with descriptions. Then some filler and a copy of the signed inspection agreement. All of that junk goes into a clear front report cover. The buyers and Realtors love it.
Originally Posted By: Mike Nelson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Both computer reports(i.e. Home Gauge,Report Host) and on-site reports(i.e.Matrix, Building Analysis Reports) have pros and cons. Does anyone offer the client a choice? Is it even feasible to do so? Would it be a good marketing tool? I’m comfortable with both, although I like the ability to include digital photos.
Originally Posted By: jburkeson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
Does anyone offer the client a choice? Is it even feasible to do so? Would it be a good marketing tool?
I offer the following reporting methods;
Summary: Printed on site
Full Report: Emailed, faxed and available as a download off my web site. As a last resort I will offer to print it and mail it to them, only with a gun pointed to my head.
Joe.
-- Joseph Burkeson, RPI (Hooperette)
?Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle.?
~ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Originally Posted By: Scotty Lee This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I no longer bind my reports or put them in a folder. I seldom print a report, I email 95% of my reports. I do not do reports on site.
When my report is received by my client via email the first page is the invoice or the paid receipt the next will be a summary and then the body of the report. Anything that is in need of repairs; safety hazards; improper installations; etc., is listed in the summary. All photos are in the body of the report. My average report will be around 25 pages or around a 500kb to 1mg file.
I use 3-D and have for years. IMHO, it is one of the best out of the box inspector programs on the market, I have had the chance to use most of them.
If I print a report I only use binder clips to hold the pages together.
With commercial jobs I produce a printed report, a DVD and I email as they want. But commercial jobs also demand higher fees!!
Originally Posted By: kluce This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
On my inspections, I give printed reports to clients about 90% at the time at the time of the inspections. On the harder inspections, I tell them I will have it ready within 24 hours. With this I include my brochure, business card, stamped envelope and a questionnaire that asks how we are doing. I just added two question about the internet and getting the report from the internet. So far I have received one response and they circled “NO” for both. It will be interesting to see what my clients think about the internet.
Originally Posted By: pdacey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I post the reports on my web site and usually email a copy. But email can be unreliable, especially if there are a lot of pictures in the report. Some email servers won’t allow attachments over a certain size. If the client does not have internet or email access then I will fax a copy and send a printed original via snail mail.
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have two sample reports (real reports with the names and addresses remove to protect the innocent) on my web site: http://www.isa-home-inspections.com/
Click on 'Client Report' on the lower left, then log in as shown for a guest (user name 'guest' and password 'sample'), a word of caution though, the first one is only 69 pages, so dial up users should download during supper, the second one is more typical at about 150 pages (eat a big supper for that one if you have dial up).
Originally Posted By: kluce This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
pdacey wrote:
I will fax a copy and send a printed original via snail mail.
Around here, the client has 7 days to get an inspection done and two days after the inspection to let the seller know what they want to do. If things need to get done, the realtor extends the deadline. With the two days, this includes holidays, I can't take the chance of mailing the report. I take it that it's not the same in other areas.
Originally Posted By: pdacey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Kevin,
It's about the same time frame here. I don't ever just mail a report. I only use the mail system to get a back up copy to some one. I always get the report to the client within 24 hrs. Most of the time it's the same day, whether it's email, fax, website or hand delivered.