TOPIC: Report writing Quality and Speed

Many HIP users state they can finish a report in 30 minutes and also do on site. That is not me.

I admit my template is not user friendly.

Here is an example of many templates I see.

Electrical
Receptacles/Lighting/Switches

Damage Panel - Open grounds

Now are we selecting a location, are we being specific to the location, are we stating why it is a problem, are we also proving a recommendation?


Or like:

Foundation

Foundation walls

Damage panel/Cracks

Are we stating were the cracks are? Are they major or minor?


I am trying to set up my selection and damage panels more clearly as it is a bear in the field to find or create the verbiage.


So

I have an area for Conventions- Like Safety or Major. Even though I have check boxes I use this for the agents and clients to find in the summary.

I have Selection Verbiage.

I have Common Damage panel

I have In frequent damage.

I have recommendations, web links and location.

I space and capitalize for easier findings. Can be tough on a 7" Q1.


So I have Foundation walls down now only 80 more sections to do.


I am at 1 1/2 hours and this is report time at home.

It takes me 5 minutes just to configure my basement diagram.

David,

If I read you correctly, you have a lot of tabs.  I try to keep the number of tabs down to a minimum and build my report within the tab.  For example.  Utilities :Plumbing: Water Heater is the tab.

Under Water Heater I have a single selection panel for:
1. Brand and age.  It is saved as:  The brand of the water heater is  (leave a blank space)  and it was manufactured in xxxx.
2. Size and type (i.e.  gas, electric, propane)  This is a 50 gallon natural gas water heater.     I have a standard 50 gallon line for each fuel type and if the tank is bigger, I just change the gallon size.
3. Location   The water heater is located in the xxxxx room.



In the damage panel I have all the other items to note.  I built the template so it has a period (.) in between the specific items that I need to note on each water heater for visual separation only.  It is easy to then pick either the proper or not proper in each item.  Example below just for the TPR valve and drain lines

The water heater is properly installed with no defects noted at time of inspection.     This is the first item.
.
TPR valve proper language
TPR valve not proper language
.
TPR drain line proper language
TPR drain line not proper language
.
Shut off valve on cold water inlet line.
.
Seismic straps
.
Lifespan language
.
Burner Chamber
.
Combution Air
.
Venting
.
leaks
.
garage platform or height
.
gas supply line, drip leg, valve


So when I do the water heater I can stand there and check the all the proper items and the black tab and then check all the not proper items and the red tab.  I have all my wordings built into the template.  I don't use the boxes.  I like language.  It just looks more professional in my opinion.  I always use the "New Line & Bullet" for my reports.  Tried the New and blank but that wasted space.  I don't like the comma at all.  It just makes everything run together.

For the water heater, it takes about two minutes to inspect (add another 2 minutes for gas in order to check the venting and then take the covers off and check the burner chamber) and almost a minute to check the items I need to check.  next issue.

Now there is another way to quicken up your reports.  Make a full inspection report with everything marked as OK or satisfactory or functional or serviceable(what does that mean?)........whatever language you use.  I actually started to save a couple inspections  based on water heater fuel and furnace fuel which are the areas that have the biggest differences.  So I have a Gas/Gas, an Electric/Gas, etc...  Then you only have to make changes to the areas that have defects and you are done.

I love the adaptability of the program.  But in order to do it right so you can speed things up, you have to spend a couple full time days adding all your language into the templates.

Holler if you want some more ideas.

Steve

Hmmm saving a pre-done inspection isn't such a bad idea!  I think I may try that out!.

My problem is not with the tabs.

It is the way my damage panel verbiage is set up.

To many lines to look at. The . for the space works well. Good idea.

Today's inspection with 85 photos was 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Plus another 30 to get towed out of a snowy drive.

Hmmm saving a pre-done inspection isn't such a bad idea!  I think I may try that out!.

When you have the completed inspection done, print it out, two sided.  Have it laminated and then check off the items and make your notes on the sheets.  Take it home, input your changes, import your pictures, comments and you are done.  Then you are free to erase your laminated copies for the next inspection.

My problem is not with the tabs.

It is the way my damage panel verbiage is set up.

To many lines to look at. The . for the space works well. Good idea.

Today's inspection with 85 photos was 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Plus another 30 to get towed out of a snowy drive.

Did you add a caption to all 85 photos? Did you type them in, or use the drop down box? How did you split up your 1 hour 45 min.