TOPIC: Multiple report formats.

I am currently working on improving my template and decided to offer a short template.  The idea is my customers can choose from the shorter, quicker template/report or pay a premium for a very in depth template/report.

I have not set specific rules for this yet, but I was thinking of offering the short report (everything is still inspected) with no pictures or very minimal pictures at my current prices.  And offer the long very detailed report (which is what I do now) with tons of pictures at a higher cost.

This should in theory help my inspection/reporting time drop dramatically and in a round about way increase my fee's.

Right now I am working on my template outline to see how I want to set things up.  In making this outline, I have REALLY seen how my old template slows me down.  Currently it takes me about 3-4 hours to do a report.

That's definitely way too long to do a report. We'll be releasing a new default template soon that Drew Levy worked on. He combined some of the best narratives for all the inspectors that were willing to share their templates. We also have some other big time savers coming down the pipe.

Here is the outline for my short report template.  This is a cross of Davy Macy's template, the Texas template, and my own stuff.

General Information
General Information
Inspector
S - Inspector
In Attendance
S - In Attendance
Property Information
S - Property Information
S - Estimated Age
S - Levels
S - Occupancy
Weather Conditions
S - Weather Conditions
Structure System
Foundation & Framing
Foundations
S - Foundation Type
D - Foundations
Crawlspace Access & Vents
S - Access Location
S - Method of Inspection
D - Crawlspace Vents
Floor Structure
S - Floor Structure Description
D - Floor Structure
Wall Structure
S - Description of Wall Structure
D - Wall Structure
Ceiling Structure
S - Ceiling Structure Description
D - Ceiling Structure
Limitations
S - Limitations
Roof & Roof Structure
Roof Structure
S - House Roof Structure
S - Garage Roof Structure
D - Roof Structure
Roof Covering
S - Material
S - Method of Inspection
D - Roof Condition
Flashing and Valleys
S - Description
D - Flashing and Valleys
Chimney & Roof Penetrations
S - Description Chimneys
S - Description of Roof Penetrations
D - Chimney & Roof Penetrations
Roof Drainage System
S - Description Roof Drainage System
D - Roof Drainage System
Skylights
S - Description Skylights
D - Skylights
Limitations
S - Limitations
Attic/Insulation/Ventilation
Access
S - Location
S - Method of Inspection
D - Access
Insulation
S - Insulation Type
S - Insulation Depth
D - Insulation Condition
Vapor Retarders
S - Description of Vapor Retarders
D - Vapor Retarders
Attic Ventilation
S - Description of Attic Ventilation
D - Attic Ventilation
General Comments
D - General Comments
Limitations
S - Limitations
Exterior
Exterior
Siding
S - House Siding Materials
S - Garage Siding Materials
D - House Siding
Eaves, Soffits, Fascias
S - Description of Eaves, Soffits, Fascias
D - Eaves, Soffits, Fascias
Exterior Doors
S - Description of Exterior Doors
D - Exterior Doors
Window/Door Frames & Trim
S - Description of Window/Door Frames & Trim
D - Window/Door Frames & Trim
Window Wells
S - Description of Window Wells
D - Window Wells
Decks, Balconies, Porches,  Patios, & Carports
S - Description of Decks, Balconies, Porches,  Patios, & Carports
D - Decks, Balconies, Porches,  Patios, & Carports
Stoops/Steps
S - Description Steps to Building
D - Stoops/Steps to Building
Railings/ Balusters
S - Description of Railings and Balusters
D - Railings and Balusters
Limitations
S - Limitations
Grounds
Driveway & Walkways
S - Description of Driveway & Walkways
D -  Driveway & Walkways
Grading & Surface Drainage
S - Description of Grading & Surface Drainage
D - Grading & Surface Drainage
Vegetation
S - Description of Vegetation
D - Vegetation Effecting Foundation
Retaining Walls
S - Description of Retaining Walls
D - Retaining Walls
Limitations
S - Limitations
Utilities
Plumbing
Water Supply System
S - Water Source
S - Location of Water Meter & Interior Water Supply Shut Off Valve
Water Pressure
S - PSI
D - Water Pressure
Faucets, Fixtures, & Hose Bibs
D - Faucets, Fixtures, & Hose Bibs
Drains, Wastes, Vents
S - DWV Piping Material
D - Drains, Wastes, Vents
Water Heating Equipment
S - Water Heating Equipment
S - Capacity
D - Water Heating Equipment
Heating Fuel System
S - Heating Fuel Source & Type
S - Location of Heating Fuel Supply Shut Off Valve
Heating Fuel Storage & Distribution System
D - Heating Fuel Storage & Distribution System
Sump Pumps
S - Description of Sump Pumps
D - Sump Pumps
Other Components
S - Descriptions of Other Components
D - Other Components
Limitations
S - Limitations
Electrical
Size of Service
S - Size of Service
Drop/Lateral
S - Type:
D - Service Drop/Lateral
Service Entrance Conductors
S - Description of SEC
D - Service Entrance Conductors
Service Equipment and Main Disconnect
S - Meter Box Location
S - Main Disconnect Location
D - Service Equipment and Main Disconnect
Main Panel
S - Main Panel Location
D - Main Panel
Sub Panels
S - Sub Panel Locations
D - Sub Panels
Service Grounding /Bonding
S - Description of Service Grounding /Bonding
D - Service Grounding /Bonding
Breakers and Fuses
S - Description of Breakers and Fuses
D - Over Current Protection
GFCI/AFCI
S - GFCI
S - AFCI
D - GFCI/AFCI
Wiring Method & Type
S - Description of Wiring Method
S - Description of Distribution Wiring
D - Wiring Method & Type
Switches, Receptacles, Lights, & Ceiling Fans
S - Description of Switches, Receptacles, Lights, & Ceiling Fans
D - Switches, Receptacles, Lights, & Ceiling Fans
Door Bell
D - Door Bell
Bath Fan
D - Mechanical Exhaust Vents and Bathroom Heaters
Smoke Detectors
S - Location
S - Description
D - Smoke Detectors
Limitations
S - Limitations
HVAC
Heating System Type and Conditions
S - Description of Heating System Type
S - Energy Source
D - Heating System Type
Vents/Flues/Chimneys
S - Description of Vents/Flues/Chimneys
D - Vents/Flues/Chimneys
Heat Distributions Method
S - Description of Heat Distributions Method
D - Heat Distributions Method
Cooling System Type and Conditions
S - Description of Cooling System Type
S - Energy Source
D - Cooling System Type
Cooling Distributions Method
S - Description of Cooling Distributions Method
D - Cooling Distributions Method
Limitations
S - Limitations
Interior
Interior Areas
Wall & Ceiling
S - Ceilings
D - Wall and Ceiling Materials
Floor Surface
S - Floors
D - Floor Surfaces
Windows
S - Windows
D - Window Conditions
Doors
D - Doors
Closets
D - Closets
Stairs
D - Stairs & Handrails
Cabinets & Counter tops
D - Cabinets & Counter tops
General Info
D - General Information
Limitations
S - Interior Limitations
Unfinished Spaces
Insulation & Vapor Retarders
S - Conditioned Space
S - Description of Insulation & Vapor Retarders
D - Insulation & Vapor Retarders
Garage
Overhead Garage Doors
S - Description of Overhead Garage Doors
D - Overhead Garage Doors
Garage Door Parts
D - Garage Door Parts
GDO
S - Description of GDO
D - Automatic Opener
Safety Features
S - Safety Reverse
S - Safety Sensor
D - Garage Door Opener Safety Features
Limitations
S - Limitations
Appliances
Dishwasher
D - Dishwasher
Disposer
D -  Food Waste Disposer
Range Exhaust Vent
D - Range Exhaust Vent
Range, Cook tops, and Ovens
D - Range, Cook tops, and Ovens
Microwave
D - Microwave Oven
Trash Compactor
D - Trash Compactor
Fireplace/Wood Stove
Fireplaces
S - Description of Fireplace
D - Fireplace
Dampers
S - Description of Dampers
D - Dampers
Vents/Flues/Chimneys
S - Description of Vents/Flues/Chimneys
D - Vents/Flues/Chimneys
Limitations
S - Limitations
S = Selection Window
D = Damage Window

One of the main things I'm trying to do with this template other than make it shorter was to have more select windows versus damage windows.

John I hear you about cutting down on the report time.

I did 2 inspections and reports on Tuesday and it was 2 1/2- 3 hours inspection and 1 hour report time for each. And add 45 minutes for both as I arrive early. So I spent about 9 hours total.

That is not bad.

I would look at Serge's sample & template as well.

Offering different reports and inspections is something I should do. Read all Post by RRay over at Nachi.

I have 2 inspections tomorrow and I hope I can equal or better the 9 hour time.

Between all of us Hippies an ultimate report is not to far away.

I would love to get 2 inspections at this point!  Man I haven't had any work since I took off to get married.  lol

I looked up RRay and walked away.  Way to many posts for me to read and keep up with on that site.