TOPIC: Default template

Boy oh boy, someone should really go through the default templates offered with the program. I've spent that last few hours tweaking the basic default template to suit my needs and I'm finding some really crazy comments in the "observations" sections.

I'm working on the garage section currently and finding comments that are specifically directed to the bedroom or the bathroom exhaust fans. They have nothing to do with a garage.  Finding lots of this kind of stuff so far.  It's like someone just picked an inspector's custom comments they worked up and dropped them in randomly throughout the report, regardless of what it was about. :

Hi Dana,

The current default template is a combination of several dozen templates that inspectors submitted for use a little over a year ago. Then the templates were merged, cleaned up and duplicate/similar comments removed. Some of the comments do seem out of place at times but when asking inspectors about them there was usually a reason. For example, several inspectors live in areas where the Garage had been converted into living space with even a bedroom/bathroom in it. Because of this it could have a sink, toilet, heating, carpet and other items that you'd never expect in the Garage. I'm sure we missed a few along the way though that can be deleted. We are planning on another review/cleaning of the template shortly.

Hi Dom,
I thought that might be it. It just seemed a bit odd to see them out of context. I tend to be a bit more wordy and use a narrative style. I'm rewriting almost all of the template comments to conform to my own style and that, that my clients have come to expect. I've found that building a custom report template/style gets me familiar with the workings of the software pretty quickly. I'm learning all kinds of things. So far, I like the program and will likely buy it soon.
Thanks for being there.
Dana

That's great and exactly what you should be doing. The narratives in any program will never satisfy every inspector. Some want more narrative, some want less. Some write in first  person, some in third. Some give recommendations, some don't. That's why it's so important to make sure things can be easily changed!

Hi dom,
The biggest issue I have so far is formatting of documents.  No matter what I do, it all comes out as one big paragraph, full justification and jammed up to the top of the page.  Looks like crap. I see the html code with the invisible button but changing the code on that page does nothing. I DO know some of the html tags, I build my own websites with WISIWIG and then tweak it in the code if needed.

Dana

In regards to the default template.

I have used HIP over 2 years now, I am editing my template daily. It is a work in progress. There are a lot of comments that can be irrelivant but you need to make it suitable for your style. I have gotten down were I complete all the selection/damage on site.

In regards to the documents.

I hear you on the HTML but make sure you copy from open office and not from word. It takes some getting used to but my documents look good and I have gotten better with HTML as I have some pics inserted.

Feel free to call or email if you have questions, or keep posting!!