Those of you who use software to create your report. What’s your routine and or most efficient way of writing your report? Do you take photos of a defect and enter it on the spot in the appropriate section with narratives, (jumping from section to section) or do you do your inspection, take all your pictures of everything and then sit down and do the report writing adding narratives in after you’ve gone through the house? Curious how everyone goes about doing it. Any advice and tips always welcome. Once again appreciate all the replies in advance!!!
That’s how I did it! Along with a lot of note taking.
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^^^^ What David said. I always go back and review all my pics and edit them. Exposure, zoom, crop etc. Many times I’ve have found things in my pics that I didn’t notice until I reviewed them and it made it into the report.
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I don’t think anyone who is using Word or Pages has the capability of doing this on site. This is why home inspection software is very convenient. It allows you to save your narratives, and enter photographs immediately.
It would be very simple for me to create my own template using Word or pages. I’m paying for a convenience when I pay a subscription fee. For me the minimal subscription cost is worth it.
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That’s how I do it, with my phone, which is currently an S-21 Ultra. I also have a camera with a really good zoom and a drone I use on occasion if needed, those pictures obviously get added into the report back at the office after I’ve downloaded the report from the cloud.
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I generally take a photo using a report software phone app, select the system and item, type in a key word, and select the narrative. If I get in a time jamb, sometimes at the end, I’ll just take photos and finish assigning them at the office. Before going to the inspection, I use the listing to do a lot of the SOP descriptions.
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I take my photos on site and do report at home where it’s not cold or hot. My software comes with a mobile version, I tried it a few times, it’s really a time suck. I would rather spend an hour onsite and an hour at my computer than 3 hours onsite fumbling with my phone. And I usually have sewer scope, drone, crawlbot, and thermal photos that do not connect to my phone.
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First I make a folder on my desktop with the inspection name. In that folder I put all emails with the client a copy of the contract a listing page and a tax page (SDAT site in Md. shows the house construction date and square footage). This is before the inspection date.
When I do the inspection I take photos of everything I need to know with a real camera (this way I can also take calls and texts without losing my place in some little app). This is also my way of taking notes. Report is issued the following day.
When I get home from the inspection I download all my pictures into a folder called “raw” inside the folder I already created. I straighten all my ohotos and resize and watermark them with “Fast Stone Photo Resizer” (free app). I write the report with Home Gauge and have all the photos readily available to import as needed. I email the report as a PDF. I pay no cloud service fees. I keep the folder for 5 years per MD law.
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I have 2 phones, one for calls (S-23) and one for inspections (Iphone). Only because my program was done in adobe professional and pdf expert is the only program that opens the program. I click on the box for a picture, take the picture and insert it. Then do a description of what the picture is using voice to text.
I enter a bunch of information prior to getting onsite (permits, total roof pictures, etc…).
It takes about 45 minutes to fine tune the report back home, then I print to pdf and send it.
Upolad the pictures and deposit the check.
Consider specifying the software you are using. This may help in getting tips from other users familiar with that particular software.
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Some of this was covered in the other thread you started.
There are basically 2 camps on this. Onsite reports and OFF site. Many of us prefer the OFF site method where reports are written at the office, photos are edited and added.
Onsite reports for a new inspector are a huge mistake IMHO. I see so many posts (in various places) from new inspectors needing help and the only picture they have is the single one that was taken with a crappy phone while trying to write an onsite report.
I take pictures and notes while on location, and do everything else back at the office. Like @tglaze said, while reviewing pictures,things can pop out at you that you didn’t notice while onsite.
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I’m currently testing out a couple of software options. Seeing what works best, playing around with trials and seeing what is most cost effective at this point for myself. Obviously the big one, Spectora, Tap Inspect, and Inspector Tool Belt, but open to other options if anyone has.
I understand the whole on site vs off site. But from all the research I’ve done if you can produce an onsite report are you not separating yourself from the competition. Being in a small market with established competition already, trying to get a leg up anyway a guy can is key in my eyes.
IMO Davin onsite reports will open any new inspector up to liability, as @mdurante stated above.
The report is the final product your client receives, yes, you must first be able to perform a quality inspection, but then you must be able to communicate those findings in a clear and concise way that your client can easily understand.
There will be many times that you may not know about something, and come to this board to ask questions, but although this board is a great resource, it should not be your end all be all when it comes to writing a defect up you’re not sure about.
I guarantee to my clients to deliver same day inspection reports, and I can tell you that an inspector delivering onsite reports will not be any more attractive to a potential client for that reason than an inspector delivering same day, or even next day reports.
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In todays world, onsite vs later that day or even the next day doesn’t matter because everything can be emailed.
When I did onsite reports in 1994, it was a much different time as most inspectors couldn’t get the report out for a few days. I also stopped doing them onsite because everyone and their brother wanted a copy of the report, roughly 200 sheets of paper and one to 2 toner catriges a month for the HP Laserjet 5 printer. 
Walk before you run. If you try too much too soon, you will definitely separate yourself from the competition. Just not in a good way.
Onsite reports do work for some inspectors, but the overwhelming majority still send from the office.
I have used HIP mobile for a long time and have never sent a report from on site. It’s great software. However, stepping away from the inspection for a little while helps reset your mind and prevent tunnel vision. Going over and editing the narratives and photos on a computer screen is also a lot more accurate than on a phone or tablet. Accuracy prevents claims and keeps you in business.
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I do off-site reporting. I have never lost an inspection because I could not produce a report onsite vs same day or 24 hrs. I do not think anyone really cares. I use my method as a selling point. I am thorough and not rushed.
Conversely, prematurely publishing a report with errors will hurt your reputation. I do a fair amount of mentoring with new inspectors. Most express frustration with the onsite software while trying to perform an inspection. It is distracting when you are new.
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Absolutely!! I submit reports the next day. Accurate and understandable communication are key to a good report. A morning last time read through is good policy prior to sending the report. Make sure your spelling and grammar are good!
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is key to…
I always did the report from my home office after reviewing notes and photo’s. I can’t see any advantage to an onsite report delivery.
I can’t tell you how many times I got calls from agents a week or more after the inspection wanting to ask me questions so she/he could write up the TRR. Obviously, they were not in a rush!
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I’ve been doing my reports on-site for 25 years. I’ve never been sued. I’ve never been threatened with being sued.
I can do a much better report while I am there on site than by trying to reconstruct the inspection from memory after the fact. Once you’ve left the property, you have to rely completely on your memory and any photos you took. No matter how good your memory is, it isn’t as good as being able to walk over to take another look at something. Also, there has been a lot of research done regarding memory. People almost universally believe that their memory is better than it actually is.
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