TOPIC: I have a Request!!

Good morning David, it takes me the same amount of time as Jim also.  I have to write new comments most of the time because I don't do as many inspections as you guys. But downloading the pictures and making the comments takes over an hour. My comments are unique to every inspection cause one comment does not fit all.

Marcel, I looked over your sample and now I understand why your photos take longer.  You use the caption as the official comment for the report.  So really you're doing photos AND reporting at the same time.  I considered doing the same thing for my photos just so I didn't have identical comments in the body of the report and then also in the photo caption, but I decided against it because of the time issue involved in writing all the photo captions from scratch.

I did have one question or maybe suggestion.  I grabbed these comments from the photo captions/comments in your sample report:

window sash cord broken at bedroom #1, Awning window did not operate and numerouse glazing needs replace due to broken seals, broken glass, dead receptacles at bedroom, Hot/neutral reversed on living room receptacle, need repair, Living room receptacle showing open ground, needs repaired by electrician, Stopper missing, Rust stains on tub, recommend anti-tip bracket on range for safety

These all seem like issues which would come up often enough that a pre-written comment would work just fine.  Do you write all these comments from scratch for every inspection?  Also, if you use the caption for your comments aren't you forced to write every comment from scratch for each inspection (as opposed to using a damage panel with pre-made comments) or do you cut and paste those comments from some other document and just insert them into your photo caption?

Good morning David, it takes me the same amount of time as Jim also.  I have to write new comments most of the time because I don't do as many inspections as you guys. But downloading the pictures and making the comments takes over an hour. My comments are unique to every inspection cause one comment does not fit all.

Marcel, I looked over your sample and now I understand why your photos take longer.  You use the caption as the official comment for the report.  So really you're doing photos AND reporting at the same time.  I considered doing the same thing for my photos just so I didn't have identical comments in the body of the report and then also in the photo caption, but I decided against it because of the time issue involved in writing all the photo captions from scratch.

I did have one question or maybe suggestion.  I grabbed these comments from the photo captions/comments in your sample report:

window sash cord broken at bedroom #1, Awning window did not operate and numerouse glazing needs replace due to broken seals, broken glass, dead receptacles at bedroom, Hot/neutral reversed on living room receptacle, need repair, Living room receptacle showing open ground, needs repaired by electrician, Stopper missing, Rust stains on tub, recommend anti-tip bracket on range for safety

These all seem like issues which would come up often enough that a pre-written comment would work just fine.  Do you write all these comments from scratch for every inspection?  Also, if you use the caption for your comments aren't you forced to write every comment from scratch for each inspection (as opposed to using a damage panel with pre-made comments) or do you cut and paste those comments from some other document and just insert them into your photo caption?

Hi. Cameron and thanks for the help.
When I first started with HIP, I was typing in comments on photos and in the report and found a lot of redundancy and then changed to comments on the photos.
My problem is that I don't do enough inspections to have a complete library of comments, and since they are all different on each inspection, I chose to comment on the photos, but I can see what you are saying.
If I put those comments in the report first, I might save myself a little time by not putting a comment on the pictures.
I will have to try that.
Thanks for your help.

I do the same thing (placing comments on the photographs). I only post comments that are "significant" items that need repair. That keeps it down to about 15 to 20 photographs. I do not like the redundancy of the other method.

My clients like the fact that the report is specific to their situation and I find less callbacks that result from "canned statements".

What I have evolved to is placing a paragraph in the defects selection box that lists the building code or the common significance of a particular defect. Then I simply go to the photographs and place a location description and issue in the photograph.

I am still waiting for Dominic to come up with a way to put drop downs under the photograph comments and making editing under the photographs easier.

I use voice dictation windows next to the inspection report and cut and paste what I dictate under the photograph. You cannot see the entire text under the photograph so you must do it in another program or window to make sure you get a good edit when you proofread.

Best way I have found until we get a version that allows photo comments to appear in defects and summary gentleman is to only comment on location under photos.
Comments such as Master bathroom,north view,Rear door are the best.
Leave all comments for the actual comment area.

Not a big fan of the dropdowns for saving time myself but I am not lugging the tablet around with me either.There are many ways to use the program and maybe a list of the different ways it is used would help Dominic determine the next features to be added.

Maybe we need a poll if that is possible here asking how many do on site,use drop downs,work off photos,etc.

. . . only comment on location under photos.
Comments such as Master bathroom,north view,Rear door are the best.
Leave all comments for the actual comment area.

Not a big fan of the dropdowns for saving time myself but I am not lugging the tablet around with me either.

Ditto!

There are many ways to use the program and maybe a list of the different ways it is used would help Dominic determine the next features to be added.

Maybe we need a poll if that is possible here asking how many do on site,use drop downs,work off photos,etc.

Dominic, . . . Bob has a good idea.  Let's do just that. If you could start a new thread . . . would help.

You can definitely create polls, just click Add Poll on this topic or New Poll (better idea as Serge mentioned) instead of New Topic on the main page.