TOPIC: I need help!!! I take to long and my template sucks!!

When you make changes to your template during each inspection, are you clicking Save Template so the comments are saved correctly for the next inspection?

It depends. Sometimes Yes and sometimes No.
Lately if I have a change I make a note and then add it to the next report/template.

Now yesterday was ideal. 2 jobs both reports done in 30-45 minutes. Now 1 was a condo with 25 pics and the other was an above average home 40 pics with only 4 items on the summary. It is the 100 pic average to below average home I need to get to a 1 hour report.

Thanks for the help Dom the tip on not deleting the pics has save me a few minutes.

Nice report David.

Now I need to find out how you got rid of the check boxes on the left.?

Not that I don't like them, I do. Billy B. also change his, how is that done?

Also, how do you add a document after the home page and before the Summary.

I know, I am illiterate.  ;D

Marcel, go to Report Settings->Ratings and uncheck the box to not include ratings, or you can rename them there.

To add a document before the summary create a document, set the page for it to appear before as the summary. Check the box if you want it on the same page as the summary, don't check the box if you want it on the page before that.

David, glad that helped save you some time.

I would like to thank Serge for his personal phone call and helpful suggestions to my posted sample.

I do appreciate it. You are the man!!

Now if I can get a better home computer that can upload the report in minutes instead of hours/days or not at all, resolve the corrupt photos/reports, keep building my template and Dom can get the diagram and drop down features added maybe I can get the report done in a reasonable time.

...and Dom can get the diagram and drop down features added maybe I can get the report done in a reasonable time.

I agree. I really believe this “drop-down menu” feature Dom is working on will help us all in shortening the time it takes to select items for Damage Panels.

For what it’s worth: I do not use Ratings, because I can more quickly insert the words “INSPECTED”, “NOT INSPECTED”, “NOT PRESENT”, and “REPAIR/REPLACE” from my comments, than I can by having to toggle back-n-forth “Edit Comments” in order to show the rating boxes—and take a chance of missing to mark an “X” in the box.

System by System reports are going to take you longer to create. There is way too much bouncing around between sections to get done what you need.

Dom, I'm still not convinced of that statement.  I think it's more about what each HI is used to doing--his routine, if you will.

If I find a leak under the kitchen sink, I put it in the Plumbing section.  If I find a GFCI inoperative, in the hall bathroom, I put it in the Electrical system—and so on. I do indicate the “location” of the deficiency in the narrative, (this is where the “drop-down” feature can be a very useful).

I think speed can be improved by how we build our template—what menus and tabs are listed across the top of HIP, (especially in a System by System template).

Once I’ve annotated all the deficiencies and drop each appropriate photo (if applicable) in the corresponding sections, then I go back all fill out all the mandatory inspections items IAW the Standards.

Dom, we could use a way for HIP to proofread the report to make sure all mandatory items hve been included/checked-off/inspected/described etc.  I know this has been suggested by other guys.

There's only two ways the HIP can check if all areas have been checked that I can think of. The first is to keep track of all tabs that are clicked on. We can even change them to a different color then list them when going to generate the PDF. The second is if you're using the check boxes to make sure a check box in every section has been checked. This is on the list but not being worked on yet.

Still working on the checkboxes. I have it working with manually added ones, working on automating it and making sure it stays compatible with past versions and future versions.

When inputting on site, room by room is definitely faster, though I know guys in Texas who finish on site with their system by system. Back at home I guess it would depend on how you took your notes and how much you just memorize from on site.