Hi to all...just starting out.

[JOHN RICHTER]

Just starting in this business. Hoping to get alot of questions answered. Should i do my reports with a software or should i keep it simple with paper forms for now? I'm in heating and air-conditioning . Service and install and looking to get out. I've taken the book work end of it and in the process of taking the necessary state tests. I'm in WI. and rel-estate seems to be picking up. Any advice?

[John Arnold]

Welcome!
My $.02 - Nothing takes the place of "riding along" with established inspectors, if you can find any that will oblige. It's not all about the technical, code side of things. It's dealing with people, learning how to say "I don't know, but I'll find out", stuff like that.
It could be a good idea to hold off on buying expensive software, for the time being.
Hopefully you have a spouse who makes lots of $$.

[Scott Patterson]

Just starting in this business. Hoping to get alot of questions answered. Should i do my reports with a software or should i keep it simple with paper forms for now? I'm in heating and air-conditioning . Service and install and looking to get out. I've taken the book work end of it and in the process of taking the necessary state tests. I'm in WI. and rel-estate seems to be picking up. Any advice?

I would not go the pen and paper route. Invest in some good software and produce a professional looking report that you can email to your clients. The days of pen and paper checklist toten buckethead inspectors are over!

I use Home Inspector Pro software and I like it. Good software like HIP will allow you to provide custom reports to your clients. Keep in mind reporting software is only a tool, if you don't know how to use that tool properly it ain't much good!

[JOHN RICHTER]

Scott...thanks for the feedback. I'm taking your advise and attempt a ride along with other inspectors before jumping in . I've been practicing with various software and it doesn't look to difficult to catch on. The market seems to be getting better. Other opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Scott Jarvis]

Check into WAHI (Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors) Home Page (http://www.wahigroup.com) . There are chapters in Milwaukee and Madison. We've got a ride along program that can help you get hooked up with an inspector in your area. You can also earn your required CE credits by attending monthly chapter meetings and semi-annual statewide meetings. There's a state meeting in Baraboo the end of March.

[William Kievit]

Go for a software package that lets you easily modify the output. They often will allow a free trial during which you need to try to make modifications. If you find it difficult to control the output the package is not for you.