Thread: new member from Ohio

hi my name is Britney Harstine and i started studying home inspection back in November im almost done with the course if anyone would like to share some tips with me i would appriciate it greatly also im looking into buying a handheld for the inspectit software would i be able to use a tablet?

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I personally don't care to use a handheld device while doing the inspection other than a digital camera. I've tried them the handheld and the tablet and felt as if I was nursing the things all the time. Where can I lay it, is it exposed to hazard, the buyer's kid wants to play Crazy Birds on it, protecting it from the enviroment. Just too much trouble to me.

JMHO

Rick

you would recommend the inspection forms

No, nothing wrong with Inspect-it software. I've used it for many years. I was talking of using a handheld and possible attempting to do the report on site. That all was popular to do a few years back and now I see most HI's doing the report back at office and then emailing them out.

When I attempted to do reports on site, I'd always have that 3am. waking up thinking OMG I forgot to note something.

Plus when your rushed to crank one out on site, most reports become to vague or become a check box type of report.

Rick

I agree with Rick. I tell my clients they will have the report by 7:30 AM the next morning. I take photos on-site, I go home, do the report and let it set until the next morning. I get up, reread the report, always make a few changes and then e-mail it. Your whole product is your report. It should always be your best work, don't rush it.

Jeff

thank you i appreciate it

Get a REAL thick skin, Britney. You'll need it.

Read ALL the advice, Use what you can, ignore the rest and the naysayers.

Kentucky Home Inspector Startup

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Originally Posted by britney harstine

hi my name is Britney Harstine and i started studying home inspection back in November im almost done with the course if anyone would like to share some tips with me i would appriciate it greatly also im looking into buying a handheld for the inspectit software would i be able to use a tablet?

My opinion is forget about a tablet. I have one sitting behind me that once upon a time I thought was a good idea. Just never worked out. As far as the handheld????? My opinion on that is they are too impersonal. Every report sounds alike and looks alike. No matter how good your prepared remarks are they still have to be too generic to fit every instance in every home of the same items.

People like the personal touch. They want to know you put your heart into just their inspection.

If you are thinking out taking off running on your first inspection then you really need to rethink that. Your first inspections and I mean a lot of your first inspections, like your first year you need to learn to write a report as it should be instead of some generic looking piece of ****.

Take your time. Don't think about cranking out 2 a day for a very long long time. Go home, do the report, reread it and I am sure you will be making corrections.

Collecting data via a handheld or tablet is very different from generating the report onsite. All reporting software packages require the inspector to enter data, regardless of where you are physically located. Some of you may be jumping to conclusions about the intent of the OP.

If you want to complain about software pre packaged statements, they are all lousy. All packages allow the inspector to modify the prepackaged statements.

Read the question. Can Inspectit run on a tablet? She never said anything about delivering the report onsite.

Britney, the general consenus of the regular and most vocal posters of this board is that generating the report onsite is a bad idea. How you record your notes during an inspection is entirely up to you. Handheld recorder, paper notes, photos, or a mobile computing device. You just have to figure out what works best for you.

about the finish report did any of you use any type of software?

When I started using a computer generated report, I had a Dell Axim hand held. I put it in an Otter Box case and hung it around my neck. It was protected from the elements, and I could use two hand on a ladder, etc. I found it to be a pretty good tool to use as I walked around looking at things.

Then I had a problem with the sync and quit using the handheld. I just set my laptop up in the kitchen (as usual) and generated the report directly on the laptop. I really didn't notice much of a difference in how I did my inspections, or the time doing them.

To me, its just another piece of equipment to buy, and worry about breaking or messing up. Kind of like how I used to carry a printer around and print out reports. The handheld didn't save me any time, and trying to use the small screen was a problem sometimes. I'm all about "minimalist" now days.

My suggestion to Britney is to take her time doing the inspection, take a lot of photos and notes, then go home and write the report - and take her time.
Take time to practice with the report software, until you are very comfortable using it. Find a way to figure out if you have missed something. get to know the software inside and out.

ABOUT ON SITE REPORTS: While I am very comfortable doing on site reports (over 21 years now), its not for everyone, and I don't recommend it for someone just starting out. I first bought the HomeTech reports and used them for a while, then moved up to the ITA reports. The good thing about using the ITA reports is that it was very easy to see if you had missed something (with a quick scan of the pages).

I have used 3D software for years, since it was in DOS! Upgraded many times over the years and I have been happy with it, but.......

After I get the report looking the way I want I will most likely be switching to Home Inspector Pro. 3D lost my business when the wanted just about the full price for the program after I misplaced the software during my move for me to install it on a new computer.

What's that saying about customer service?? Dominic really has the best customer service for software in our profession.

Britney, I'm new at this too. A newbi. Just passed the Oregon Certification exam. I've been contracting and construction managing for 31 years and I look forward to embarking on this new adventure. I've looked at (not used) a lot of the report writing software and one that looks good to me for a start up is ReportHost.com because of it's no start up cost, layout and report posting via the web amongst other things.

I'm interested to know if any of the "oldbi's" are using it or have an opinion on it's merits and/or downfalls?

This is a great site and I'm glad to see that the posts on this thread are positive.

Try reading sample reports from different companies and inspectors, until you find something... a style you like, and look at it as an untrained home purchaser would see it. It should be easy to read, and in plain english.

Don't try to sound like a lawyer. Don't stuff your report with fill, making the client have to read a novel and pick out the important information.

You should also prepare an Inspection Agreement (contract). The wisest thing to do is to speak to an attorney. It may be helpful to get some samples of that too.

Read alot in this and other forums. You can learn more here by reading than you will learn in most inspection schools.

Finally, don't be nervous. Do what you know how to do. It may be a good idea to mentor with a seasoned inspector until you feel comfortable.

Good luck.

Bode & Britney,
I have been using Report Host for over 9 years now and love it! It is very custimizable just like all others. Easy and fast to upload photos and pricing is reasonable if you purchase the bulk deals and then switch to pay as you go during slow times. I can work from a wireless laptop in a parking lot between inspections or hit a local library's computers if needed.
Like all software out there, you will need to custimize your boiler plates and edit for each individual inspection. They do have a tablet PC download which I have used but like others have said, too bulky, fragile for my liking. I print out the field notes to mark up as I go around the home then write report off the field notes and pics!

James

i really do appriciate all the information you guys are offering me and i am riding along with another experienced home inspector to get a feel of how things are done out in the field

Thanks for the feed back James and everyone else. I also appreciate it. Report Host also gives new inspectors 15 free published reports to get familiar with the program. The sample reports I've read look good to me.

Now another question. Have you set up a website. I see that Home Inspector Pro (another report program) offers website production tailored to the industry. Is there another website producer (for the lack of the right term) that is recommended by the seasoned inspectors?

I use HomeInspectorPro for both my reports and websites, and wouldn't think of changing either.

James, I also use ReportHost and Love it. I was just curious how many pictures you put in reports, how many concerns do you average per report and how long does it take you to write a report? I know the numbers can vary widely but I was just curious as to how others are doing there reports. Thanks!!

Hi Britney. I also use inspect-it, for now, and I have found that it does not cover every observation, and needs to be tweaked. On the other hand microsoft word, at least for me, has been a steeper learning curve. There are many great tutorials on line that will answer questions, and show you tricks and shortcuts with word.

As a newbie myself I listen to what the seasoned veterans have posted here, and other threads. The only advice I would give, advice I gave when training others at my previous job, is to:

1) Never stop learning.
2) Get yourself into routines until you see something that another inspector does that you like better, then incorporate that into your system. Dont take short cuts, and ask questions.
3) Do things that will keep you one step ahead, i.e. look at the listing online to research the property, always have back-ups on some equipment (flashlights), keep your vehicle fueled up, etc.
4) Dont get too chummy with the real estate agents. Be friendly and nice, but at a distance.

Originally Posted by Thomas Jones

Hi Britney. I also use inspect-it, for now, and I have found that it does not cover every observation, and needs to be tweaked. On the other hand microsoft word, at least for me, has been a steeper learning curve. There are many great tutorials on line that will answer questions, and show you tricks and shortcuts with word.

As a newbie myself I listen to what the seasoned veterans have posted here, and other threads. The only advice I would give, advice I gave when training others at my previous job, is to:

1) Never stop learning.
2) Get yourself into routines until you see something that another inspector does that you like better, then incorporate that into your system. Dont take short cuts, and ask questions.
3) Do things that will keep you one step ahead, i.e. look at the listing online to research the property, always have back-ups on some equipment (flashlights), keep your vehicle fueled up, etc.
4) Dont get too chummy with the real estate agents. Be friendly and nice, but at a distance.

well said

I'll never stop learning

Originally Posted by britney harstine

hi my name is Britney Harstine and i started studying home inspection back in November im almost done with the course if anyone would like to share some tips with me i would appriciate it greatly also im looking into buying a handheld for the inspectit software would i be able to use a tablet?

Just a question and not a trick question. Why did you decide to go into home inspection?

I was looking into going back to school and I saw home inspection and i read more into it and knew it was what I wanted to do with my life I thought it would be interesting ans helpful to know everything bout a house and inspect them that way when I get my own place ill know what to look for and ofcourse ill inspect every house as if it were my own thoughout my course when i got off work is go home and study the rest of the day its somethin i really look forward to doing

Hi Britney. I wrote my own inspection software because I felt I could create a report that was more meaningful to my clients than what I found available commercially when I last looked. After a couple years of tweaking it has worked well for me.

Your integrity is the greatest asset you have to offer your clients. They rely on you to avoid buying into any ugly surprises so be their advocate and your reputation will take care of itself.

It may take you time to get established but persevere and never let go of your dreams.

Good Luck!

Thank you