When I began my home inspection business, I bought the complete HIP package. I also signed up for HIP Office at $50 a month. Although I’m a low volume inspector, my inspections have increased.
The issue I’m facing is that I can’t use HIP without an HIP Office account, which I don’t really need. I don’t utilize the automated emails because they seem a bit complicated for me to set up, especially since I have limited time. I tried HIP Office Lite, but it didn’t let me do certain things. Sometimes I think about switching software, but I’ve put in hundreds of hours into HIP, making it a tough choice. I could probably manage with an Excel spreadsheet, jokingly, but serious cause I’m good at Excel.
Regarding HIP service, they have always been helpful, even if it can be a bit challenging at times. I often find myself saying, “I want to send the Repair Request List to the client now.” (like two hours ago) and HIP responds with “they haven’t signed the contract” or “they haven’t paid.” I realize some of this is on me, but to really master HIP Office, it seems like you would need someone dedicated to managing it for you.
Has anyone else had similar experiences? Maybe I’m wrong and I can use HIP without Office? I know for me to get the update (the software would not start without it), they made me subscribe to minimum HIP Lite. Thank you
Update
From HIP: “Unfortunately, you would lose the ability to use mobile without a subscription. There is HIP Office Lite at $29/month”
Repair Request List: “That is correct, Lite doesn’t provide the RRL.”
We use HIP and have for many years. We do not use HIP office, but Office Lite. We do use ISN for our back-office management. You can use HIP without Office or Lite, but then you will not have the Repair Request feature and several other features. Without Office or Lite you will need to email the reports directly to the client. The HIP report on your computer is all that you will have without either Office or Lite.
We get all of the product updates. If you pay the monthly fee for what used to be called their Cloud Service, this is basically Office Lite. Your reports are stored on the HIP servers, and this is also how you get the updates. This is no longer offered and was for only those who owned HIP prior to their changes about five or so years ago and they still honor it.
No, but the HIP Office software will not let me send out the Repair Request List if it is not satisfied. To satisfy it, a contract has to be uploaded in correct format. It would help if there was an option for me to satisfy that by checking a box for Contract Signed / Payment Received then submitting it. I never do inspections without contract or payment first.
You really shouldn’t be doing an inspection if they haven’t signed yet.
Your insurance can and will decline coverage if an inspection isn’t signed yet. And if you send anything before payment, then they have little reason to pay you because they have the information they need.
You may think you don’t need automated emails, but it sounds like maybe you do.
Personally, I haven’t used HIP in years. But even when I was a one-man shop, I needed some office software to make life easier.
I saw a few posts for a bicycling outing he was doing a couple weeks ago, but nothing about retiring from HIP.
Good for him. I’ve know him for a long time, (circa 2008). Wish him all the best.
I never met him in person but have talked to him on the phone a couple of different times. He is coming to Iowa this next year for the Ragbrai bike ride across the state so maybe I will then. The one time when I was having problems, he called me from the top of a mountain while on his honeymoon. He knew that he could get the best reception up there, so he was returning everyone’s calls.
When I saw his post that he was done, it made me pretty sad. Not too many people in business give the customer service that he and those that he trained do. He will be missed.
For clarity, I never inspect without contractor or payment, not ever. Problem is when HIP Office blocks you from getting the RRL to send to customer. I always choose the options “to be signed and paid offline”, yet I’ve still had the issue.
The automated emails would be cool if set up correctly, that takes another whole effort. I don’t have any issues with my emails, I get contracts & payments before inspections then email the report along with RRL. I also thank them for choosing Advanced Home Inspections!
Under internet tab, click upload to office like you normally do. The tan colored window that pops up has options, check the box for Repair Request List. A page will open up with all items in summary( defects) and associated photos. It is important to pay attention here, make sure the photos are related to narrative. Once done, follow prompts to upload it and report to Office.
In HIP Office, open the inspection. Click on Report. A link for the RRL will be there. I usually open it, then copy and paste the link in the final email along with the report.
The RRL makes it easier on the agent and buyer in my opinion. They can both open the link and review the items with photos. They won’t have to copy and paste anything. For each item they want the seller to address they can check the box, select from dropdown list action to be taken and add comments.
Once that is done, the agent clicks download and it generates the report without inspectors information. She can now send the RRL to the seller’s agent.
Pro tip: If the buyer accepts a substantial item, they can select ‘other’ and comment As Is or whatever communicating to the seller they are compromising in some areas. Example: they are accepting the ghost found in the bedroom, but they request funding for new HVAC.
Here sample I have on my website for realtors to practice with: Repair Request List
