inspection reports

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#1

Originally Posted By: tmelford
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I am what you refer to as a newby, I recently completed a home insp course through AHIT, which uses ashi standards. Of course being a nachi member does not require the use of ashi standards. What im getting to is, where can I find an inspection report that deals specifically with nachi standards. This is probably a really dumb question, please bear with me.


Thanx

Tim

#2

Originally Posted By: aslimack
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What type of report are starting out with Tim? As in, written or computer generated. I think that most are pretty much written to “ASHI” standards, as that was basically the first standard established in the industry. Regardless of your affiliation, if it adheres to ASHI standards, it should meet pretty much anyone else’s.


I suggest you find the report you like and go with it. If your a computer guy, you may be better off starting off with a computer generated report. That is likely where you'll end up anyway. Why waste your time on another learning curve when you know its only temporary. Heck you'll probably have more than one learning curve as it is. I don't think the majority of the inspectors are using the report they started out with.

I DO NOT recommend starting out, or for that matter ending up with, a site generated report as there is much to contemplate before you issue the final report. Limit your liability AT LEAST until you feel comfortable. I don't know if i'll ever feel comfortable issuing an on-site report as you as well as the client are vacuuming up a lot of information on the inspection. There have been plenty of times where i have had the "light come on" while back at the office putting it together. My opinion is that it is much more professional than addendums after the fact. I like to keep the addendums to an absolute minimum.

Look through previous threads for suggestions on computer reporting software available. Pick the brain of others who have already spent the time searching and weeding through them. Use there hard work and contributions to your advantage and save yourself some time.

Good luck,
Adam, A Plus

#3

Originally Posted By: loconnor
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Tim


There is very little I can add to Adams post, other then to reiterate the fact that in the beginning, you may want to consider issuing your report to the customer after you have written it up at the office. I promise a 24 hour turn around.

I also am a graduate of the AHIT school. I did not like their hand written reports because my hand writing, even printing, is terrible.

As an inspector that has only performed very few inspections, let me recommend what works for me. In the future, I may be using a different report. But right now this meets my needs for three reasons

1- It allows me to write up my inspection at the office in a computer generated format. As opposed to hand written.
2- This particular program meets my budget requirements. First 15 are free. Only $5 per report after that.
3- You can customize these reports. It took me awhile, but I'm more comfortable using this particular format.

The report system is ReportHost at www.reporthost.com.

Good luck to you.

--
Larry
Western Michigan NACHI Chapter
http://www.w-michigan-nachi.org

"We confide in our strength
without boasting of it.
We respect that of others
without fearing it"
Thomas Jefferson

#4

Originally Posted By: osmith
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Hello Tim,


I too am a graduate of AHIT. The reports they provide (as far as I know) exceed the standards of practice or NACHI,ASHI and NAHI. So it really shouldn't matter. As for me, I will use their reports until or unless I find another one that I like more.

My 1.5 cents,

Oscar

#5

Originally Posted By: tmelford
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Thanx guys for the responses!


Tim

#6

Originally Posted By: bgentry
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Hey Tim,


I was going to use ReportPlus from AHIT until I was introduced to Nspector software. I, too, pay $5 per report until I decide to pay for the permanent license. For the money, I haven't seen an easier reporting software, and you also get the software for a pocket PC if you use one (which I do).

Brad

#7

Originally Posted By: bgentry
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Hey Tim,


Here's the thread I refered to in my PM to you.

http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/viewtopic.php?t=9783&highlight=

#8

Originally Posted By: dbowers
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Its been 25 years, but I started out the same way. Doing the inspection and using a tape recorder or notes onsite. Then going home and typing it up and reviewing it before I sent it to the client.


It was almost 1 year before I became proficient enough to be able to dump that cumbersome typing and start using a high quality narrative type checklist that I could leave at site. Even then we had to write our own checklist because at that time there were no high quality checklists with lots of good narrative comments for sale.

We send out a survey about 8 days after every inspection asking clients for feedback and we constantly get rave reviews from clients telling us how thorough yet easy to read the narrative checklist is. Many clients tell us this is their 2nd or 3rd home inspection report in the past 4-5 years and compliment us on how much easier it was for them to get to the meat than their last report that was 38 pages long with photos of the flowers, etc.

Go with what feels good to you. I've seen a lot of reports and there's quite a few out there that are better than the ahit one.