Does anyone know if there is a non web or subscription based report writing program out there anywhere.
I like the subscription software I am using (Homegauge) but have no need for most of their services and no need to upload my reports.
I have HomeGauge as well and I don’t pay a subscription fee. I bought it outright. Is it not available that way anymore?
1 Like
Welcome to our forum, Edward!..Enjoy the energy! 
Our very own Kenton Shepard wrote about different software and many give you free reports to try out.
Check it out: Choosing Software – InterNACHI Inspection Narrative Library
@rkenney I bought it in 2019 . I do not use the web service.
Edward, I would contact Homegauge. And, a helpful hint; the software typically goes on sale around November.
home inspection pro software is a desktop software, no subscription, unless you want their mobile software also or their office software. You can pay for it outright. Nachi members get a discount. just buy it through inspector outlet store.
it has tone of built in narratives and graphics. the default template is built off the Nachi SOP. I like it allot. no extra fee’s ever after the initial purchase.
they have a demo you can download I believe.
1 Like
Palm Tech had a very good Non Subscription type software that was very easy to use, very customizable, reliable, etc. However, it appears they have recently converted to a subscription service (& say everyone must convert or the software will no longer work), sadly to say.
I tried Palm tech 4 years ago, I hated it. Worst looking reports.
1 Like
William,
I am very sorry to hear that. I had been using them for over 10 years & really liked them, especially since at the time, they were the only that I could find that was stand-alone & I could purchase outright, without a subscription. Granted, I had to customize it a lot. I have used a number of estimating software over the last 35 years or so & manual before then. I really liked the old days when I just had to take my notes to the secretaries, who were usually very good, & they wrote them up for me. We often times also use a different one for commercial work. I am not too happy with them now though, at all, since they just recently changed to a subscription service, that I am not buying, & are saying that what we purchased out right will no longer work & we must subscribe.
What are you using now & why do you like it?
I have just about thought about trying to just write my own, as I also thought about before going to Palm Tech several years ago, but that may be more than a major undertaking that I am not sure if I am really interested in anymore.
I’ve been using 3D for 21 years now. I own it outright and I pay an annual fee (optional) of $149.00, which covers any updates, support if needed, and use of their cloud services. 3D Inspection Software
1 Like
Kevin,
Have you found that you actually need the updates & support or is it just required? Pardon me, I see the support is optional.
Thank you for the heads up,
Dave
It’s optional, but I’m pretty sure it’s required if you use their cloud services.
I haven’t had the need for any support in I’m guessing 6, 7 or 8 years, a long time ago, occasionally my PDF writer goes on the blink, but I’ve got the work around that takes me about 3 minutes for the fix, as for the last update, I think was about 5 or 6 years ago.
The software just works great and can be manipulated anyway you want, you can even create a whole new type of report, for example, I have multi-family, church, doctors office, store, etc. reports that I’ve created in the past, that if I ever need in the future, it’s there ready for me.
1 Like
Kevin,
Thanks a billion. We will be looking at them further. I briefly looked at a few things, quickly, (as I am supposed to finishing some other reports right now), & liked what I saw for the most part. The sad thing is we paid more than what they are charging, over 10 years ago in 2013 I believe it was for a died in the wool stand alone, before they just recently sold out & are saying we must now use their subscription service. We will be looking at 3D further though. We have been using Palm Tech for our standard home inspections, specialty inspections, new construction (not the one they created recently, but ours from years ago), light commercial, & multi-family reports. I pretty well had to severely customize pretty much everything, over the years. We do move through their cloud, which they claim is the reason for the change, to communicate between the IPAD in the field & the PC back in the office. I gather 3D does something like that too or are you using a different approach?
Thanks again for the good information,
Dave
1 Like
You’re welcome Dave.
And yes, I use the 3D mobile, I use ISN for scheduling and sending out emails and agreememnt, I then download directly from ISN into my desktop 3D, then upload to the cloud, download to my phone, then I gather all the information and pictures onsite into the software, upload to the cloud, then download into my desktop 3D, put the final touches on the report, print it into a PDF and email it from my PC.
The upload/download times normally take less than a minute.
The $149.00 a year fee is really a drop in the bucket for what you get, IMO.