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  1. #1
    Jon Randolph's Avatar
    Jon Randolph Guest

    Default Nspector inspection software

    Does anyone have experience with Nspector Home Inspection Software put out by Home Inspections Inc.?

    I downloaded the demo and it look like it may be a good inspection/reporting program with some customizations of the layout and boilers, but I don't want to spend the time and money if it isn't worth while. I know that many of you use other software programs and like what you use and I have looked at and downloaded several demos. I don't really like the inspected, not inspected, needs repair, etc. check boxes that many other programs have built in.

    I like the layout and customization of InspectIt Report Plus and have been using it almost from the beginning, but it takes me so loooooong on site. Nspector looks like I can customize it to look like I want with the added benefit of a shorter on site time.

    Any help greatly appreciated.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Georgetown, KY
    Posts
    538

    Default Re: Nspector inspection software

    Your comment of:

    inspected, not inspected, needs repair, etc. check boxes
    sounds like HomeGauge right out of the box.

    Did you know you can customize HomeGauge with your own selection of how you want to call items, ie Acceptable Defective, etc. and add any number of options to those "Checkboxes" and then print it out as a narrative report instead of a checkbox report.

    Erby Crofutt, Georgetown, KY - Read my Blog here: Erby the Central Kentucky Home Inspector B4 U Close Home Inspections www.b4uclose.com www.kentuckyradon.com
    Find on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/B4UCloseInspections

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale Fl
    Posts
    74

    Default Re: Nspector inspection software

    I've been using it for ten years+. Can customize most things. However in my version there are limits on length of comments.
    It is a lot of work took out most and edited all of their comments.

    Captain


  4. #4
    Jon Randolph's Avatar
    Jon Randolph Guest

    Default Re: Nspector inspection software

    Mitchell,

    About how long doe it take you on site? I'm not looking for a 1-2 hour inspection, but as thorough as I am with Report Plus, I have spent over 8 hours at some POS homes. Don't mind spending the time if I am getting paid for it, but the market in my area is full of $150-$175 inspectors and at $255 base fee, I am pushing the upper end of what most people (thanks to realtors) accept as a normal inspection fee.

    Do you have a sample report that can be viewed. I made a fake report using the Nspector software, but would like to see what it looks like after your customizations. I am only allowed 10 reports with the free trial.


    Thanks for your reply.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale Fl
    Posts
    74

    Default Re: Nspector inspection software

    Jon

    Oh I hate when somebody ask me how long does it take to do an inspection. I use a tablet computer so I just tap and go. I know were most items are listed. I know what the program wants. I write comment on most things I find and place them in the report, so I write very little.

    As to a POS it takes me very little time I say it is a POS and based on my visual examination this house needs to be rewired, replumbed, reroofed, etc. It would be advisable to hire a general contract for a true budget.
    I'm not going to stand there and list all the defects in a POS when half can't be seen.

    Send me your email and I will send you a report.
    info@allspec.us

    Captain


  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Tyler, TX
    Posts
    720

    Default Re: Nspector inspection software

    I had been using InspectIt for Texas and was turned on to a relatively new product called Interspect Voice. I have used it for the last 8 inspections. You can enter it by typing or by speaking into a headset.

    It has several nice features including a room by room mode (nice for Texas reports). As you create and enter a room it reminds you of each item to inspect. You can enter pre-typed comments (quick text) a lot faster than InspectIt. I could describe it all here but they have online demos, so you don't need me.

    I figure all software has its ups/downs, "best thing since sliced bread", but overall I'm satisfied with this one. Some of the glitches were my fault; some were theirs but they fixed them incredibly fast. The customer support is wonderful. They have gone over and above on more than one occasion.

    It's a bit pricey, but they have a lease program as well. If you decide to buy, give them my name. I think it gets me a one month discount.

    If you have any questions email me or call.

    here's the link Interspect Voice


    Good luck,
    Bruce Thompson

    PS If you are moving your pre-typed comments over from InspectIt Report Pro - don't --without asking me or someone first.


  7. #7
    Jeff Knight's Avatar
    Jeff Knight Guest

    Default Re: Nspector inspection software

    I would recommend anyone looking at using voice recognition in the field to first look at what HomeGauge says about it on their website...

    FAQ About HomeGauge Home Inspection Software

    sometimes a good demo does not always convert to something practical in the field.

    Jeff Knight
    Knights Software


  8. #8
    Steven McNeese's Avatar
    Steven McNeese Guest

    Default Re: Nspector inspection software

    That is an interesting article from one of our competitors and pointed out by another competitor. Unfortunately, not all of what they say is accurate.

    1. Voice recording - Inspectors have been doing this for years using small tape recording devices. The only advancement made with this and offered by HomeGauge is the ability to record using your desktop and PocketPC. The problem with recordings is that you have to transcribe the information by listening, stopping and typing - a very slow process.

    2. Voice dictation - Dictation is certainly a realistic approach to documenting your findings. This eliminates the need to listen and type your voice recordings described above. Microsoft, Dragon and other "dictation engines" can all provide very good accuracy. With our software and proper use, you can consistently achieve high 90 percentile. That is 90+ percent that you don't have to type.

    3. Voice commands - The voice commands they reference are commands tied to keyboard and mouse movement within an application or Windows itself. This is the standard approach taken by voice technology to interface with applications. I agree that this is not practical because you are giving commands related to the user interface or screen layout. During a hands-free inspection you cannot see your computer. Interspect Voice does not use these type of voice commands.

    Why is Interspect Voice voice command and hands free inspections practical!

    Let's look again at the perceived issue
    The visual representation and confirmation of the screen has been replaced by voice responses from the computer. Interspect Voice uses a positive response approach by responding to every voice command given. You either hear the information your requested or receive a confirmation that it performed the action you commanded. There is no waiting - it happens immediately.

    What if the agent and buyer want to talk to you while you are inspecting? No problem. Simply mute the microphone or end your voice inspection. Most inspectors find that they get fewer interruptions performing voice inspections because the buyer and realtor don't want to disturb them while they are inspecting with voice. I think that is a benefit. Even if they do interrupt you and then you can't remember what you had done or where you are, you simply ask Interspect Voice and it will tell you right where you left off.

    Personalization does not suffer
    Buyers and realtors are amazed at how efficient you will be doing a voice inspection. You will be focused on the inspection instead of fumbling around trying to tap your information into a handheld device. Nothing has to change with communication. You can continue to interact with your customer allowing them to listen to you or watch your report being built real-time while you inspect.

    Hand Free operation is not slower and does not take longer
    Interspect Voice has two different modes - Verbose and Concise. In verbose mode, the computer provides detailed information for every command you give. In concise mode, the responses are one or two words. Even in verbose mode, you can interrupt the computer with a new command and it will stop speaking the current response, execute your new command and respond with the result. The system performs as fast as you can inspect.

    Whether you type or dictate it is always a good idea to review your report. Just like other software, efficiency is gained in using pre-defined notes for your issues and comments. Type a one-off issue or dictating still requires more time and needs to be reviewed.

    Interspect Voice is not intended to eliminate the need to inspect. Our focus is on making it easier to collect the information and generate the report. Inspectors using our software with and without the hands-free technology have saved hours each day compared to what they used to do. Don't take our word for it, call and we will give you contact information for inspectors using our product.

    Talking out loud during and inspection
    What is unnatural about talking out loud? You have probably been talking since you were 9 months old. This is how you communicate to your buyer and realtor, why should the computer be any different?

    HomeGauge is implying that you should not let your buyer, realtor or seller hear what you are documenting. What is the point of the inspection? Nothing should be a secret. You were hired to inspect the house and document the issues. Regardless of your approach for collecting this information, it needs to be collected, documented and communicated.

    Other thoughts
    Interspect Voice has functionality to support a complete custom comment library. During voice inspections, these comments are accessed using a voice tag. Memorizing hundreds or thousands of voice tags is unrealistic. With Interspect Voice, you can ask the computer for the comments associated with the item you are inspecting (which can take time especially if the one you want is at the end of the list), filter that list by categories or search for your comment using voice. Inspectors have found that 80% of the time they will use 20% of their comments over and over. These comments are the ones you will memorize quickly. For the other comments not used that often, we recommend generating a Voice Tag report from within Interspect Voice and creating a quick reference booklet of all your comments. This is what almost every inspector doing voice inspections is uses. It is extremely fast to look up all of your comments for an item and find the one you want - just like you would do sitting in front of the computer.

    Hands-free distance: We partnered with Plantronics who makes high quality headsets. The headset we use and support with our solution has a distance of 200 ft. This headset works like a wireless telephone you would have at your home. We have not had any problems with distance or obstruction from the structure. The requirement to move your computer during an inspection would rarely occur. Additionally, the headset has audible indicators to let you know you are approaching the maximum distance.

    Background noise: The CS50 noise cancelling microphone along with your profile for a noisy environment handles background noise very well. Even if you have someone talking to you, the voice command mode is only listening for specific words depending on the mode you are in at that time. The chance that it would pick up someone talking and run a command is unlikely. We have demonstrated this during very loud conferences at ASHI and TAREI events.

    Summary
    Voice Command and hands free during the inspection is efficient when using Interspect Voice. Taking Dragon Natural Speaking or other "speech recognition" solutions and trying to layer them on top of an existing application does not work. Interspect Voice uses speech technology that is integrated directly into the solution based on the way it is needed during an inspection. You are not simply replacing keyboard and mouse events with voice commands.

    It is nice that HomeGauge and other software vendors are spending so much time evaluating our software and searching for reasons why you should not use it. The future is here and they are behind.

    Interspect Voice is not for everyone just like HomeGauge is not for everyone. We recommend that you try our software to see if it fits your needs. If you would like a personal demonstration, feel free to call and we will schedule a time. I will be happy to address any of the issues HomeGauge discussed so you can see exactly how Interspect Voice works. Interspect Voice will save you time on your inspections. This has been proven in the field with current inspectors - even inspectors that have switched from HomeGauge.

    Interspect Voice

    Last edited by Steven McNeese; 08-15-2007 at 02:07 PM.

  9. #9
    Erol Kartal's Avatar
    Erol Kartal Guest

    Lightbulb Re: Nspector inspection software

    I've tried every method and came back to the one I started with - a basic pad of paper. If I used field checklists or a blank report to collect data in the field I would be there all day. I can write shorthand while I walk and have never (so far) had to go back. Then HomeGauge on my PC which I find so cool I actually enjoy report writing.

    Erol Kartal
    Pro Inspect


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