TOPIC: First HIP Inspection Report

Here is my first shot using HIP on a inspection I did yesterday.  Obviously information has been changed to protect the true identity of my client...but you get the general idea.  This was a very clean town-home, and a good opportunity to step away from the other-guys software. Constructive criticism is more than welcome.

Hi Dan,

First off, I like the color scheme and logo. The cover looks great. Good font choices too.

I recommend using photo captions rather the text over the pics as it's much faster to do and still looks good. Of course there's still instances where you'll use the overlay, but use it sparingly (personal suggestion).

Did you use the Macy Merge for your Appears Serviceable or was it part of the narratives?

At least one picture of the roof would be nice.

If the place is slab on grade I'd just remove the basement page all together.

Looks great! First inspections always take the longest of course as you're building your template and exploring as you go along. How do you feel the look compares to your last 3D report?

It is difficult to critique someone that lives in a different jurisdiction covered by licensing.  You may be required to report on a different set of items that those in a different area may not.  So based on that premise, here is my critique.  It is meant to be constructive so don't take anything personally.  It is not meant that way but as Dom well knows, I can have a caustic style of writing.

1.  Industrial Engineer License?  Are you not inspecting under the laws for Licensed Home Inspectors in IL?  Just asking.
2. Most of the information on your "Inspection Conditions" page I keep also.  I just don't print it out as part of my report.
3.  When a client asks, what does "Serviceable" mean to you.  Be prepared for the question.  I personally hate the word.  The item is in satisfactory condition at time of inspection, or whatever condition you choose to use....  fair, good, poor.  Whatever, but serviceable? 
4.  I also don't like continual use of the word "appears".  It is needed at times, but not ALL the time.  Like the landscaping.  It is either maintained at time of inspection or not.  No need to use "appears".
5.  There are two cars parked on the driveway.  Were you able to inspect the whole surface?  Because you stated it was in good condition and there were no deficiencies.  Did you look under the cars or did they arrive after you?  Just asking.
6.  What part of the balcony is concrete?  The footings you could not see?
7.  The post has a metal bracket at the bottom.  Tough to say it is not in a footing if you don't even kick a little snow out of the way.
8.  Estimated life expectancy of roof?  I would never recommend including that in a report.  Too much liability.
9.  Slab is not visible due to carpeting and flooring but "appears serviceable"?
10.  Evidence of mold noted.  No, no, no.  Mold is a hot and highly litigious issue.  Unless you are doing a mold inspection as part of your home inspection, it should be disclaimed totally. 
11.  Interior of wall cavity.  Why have something in your report that you will never inspect?
12.  No basement?  Don't comment, don't print.
13.  Fuel type.  Appears serviceable?  See what I mean.  It makes no sense in this situation.
14.  I wouldn't mention all the items that need cleaning.  Recommend a full service and cleaning....period.  What if you miss something that needs to be cleaned?
15.  Combustion Airs?  Multiple Airs?
16.  Air filters.  As a service to your client.  Let them know where they are located and the size.  Just a suggestion.
17.  Exterior lights....  Appear serviceable.  Again, they either worked or didn't.  How about.  Exterior lights functioned properly with no defects noted at time of inspection.

That is through the first 1/2 of your report.  I need to let my horses out for the night.  Good luck.

Thanks Dominic,

You are correct about using Photo Captions instead of Text. ? Actually, while using 3D I pretty much got away from using any caption unless it was really necessary, and I can see myself doing the same with HIP.

You are 100% correct about the "Basement" section. ? That falls under "teaching old dogs new trick" In 3D I had "Slab on Grade" under "Structure", and Basement would automatic delete it's self with no user input. ? Same thing with multiple Furnace, baths, etc....So I have to retrain myself.

I'm not sure what the Macy Merge is yet, but the Appears Serviceable was all in one narrative with the rest of the sentence.  I had multiple menus from 3D, and some were merged together in the conversion...so I need to do some modifying.

Compared to 3D...I feel like I'm getting a similar flow as far a readability....which is a good thing! ? I have several agents and attorneys that are use to the way my reports flow and I'll still make some modification. ? I really like being able to add the color borders to each section. Narratives I'm not too worried about yet. ? It's the overall foot print and layout Im more concerned with right now. ? That's why I like your input about text in the pictures. ? Im also toying with the idea of changing the term "Condition" to "Observations".....In my old report layout, the term "condition" worked better...in HIP, "Observation" may be look better. ? When you compare with my Sample Report using 3D on my website...I tried to create a similar look. Visual aesthetic of your report is a great marketing tool.

Goal is to get a email blast out in January to agents/attorneys/offices with "ADDED FEATURES", "BOOKMARKED", "COLORED FORMS" SECTIONS....and the SAME USER FREINDLY REPORT. ? I also have a presentation to do infront of 27 local business owners Jaunary 3rd...so yesterday was a good test on using HIP...not just sitting on my couch.

Stephen...I appreciate your input. ? So don't worry...If you new me, you would know I can be very direct. ? First thing to realize is I'm in the state of Illinois. ? ? My License was Issued in 2004 under a governor who last week was sentenced to 14 years in Federal Prison ? The Previous Governor is still serving a 7 year sentence for a "License for Bribe" scandal. ? The previous governor was legal counsel to the current governor in prison...and two previous governor's also served prison time. ? Of course, then we have a Chicago Mayor that bull-dosed an active airport in the middle of the night between planes landing. ? As you can see...the people we have in charge are of good moral character.

My first goal was to get the 5000+ narratives and the 500 headings from my everyday template transfered from 3D to HIP. ? I then needed a template that would read and look similar to what I previous used.

Yes..Im lic 2225 in ILL...I think we around 13000 today; And the Inspection Conditions really need to be stated, not just in a file. Most inspector fined in Illinois is a lack of doing something. ? Granted most cases are ? a lack of CE hours, no license, expired lic, not paying child support...etc

As far as Driveway's...if you arent looking at them you shouldn't be in the business. That's like not looking in the attic because it's covered, or probing for a footing below the grass.

When it comes to roofing...if a client ask the estimated life, and you as an inspector know it's newly shingled and can't provided a rough estimate of a typical roof...what are they paying you for?

I see too many reports that say INSPECTED. That tells me nothing. ? Years ago I had a real estate lawyer say not to use SATISFACTORY, and I personal agreed. ? Thats why I dont like check list...they tell you nothing. ? It's ironic, because so many of my inspection have been short sales and foreclosures that the phrase "Appears Serviceable" wouldnt appear that often. ? In some of my 3D templates I incorporated in narratives such as "No Deficiences noted" or "Appears functional at time of inspection" ...ie; "No Deficiences were noted in the rake board". ? I will end up doing the same with this first HIP template. ? I first need something to get off the ground with...and this was a very clean place to start with.

These are describing situation that are performing their intended function, not deficiences. ? Now that I have all my "Problem Narrative" transfer, I will do the same with narratives on satisfactory issues. ? 3D would build a narrative on multi-level menu systems. ? HIP is a little different...so again, teaching old dog new tricks!

Stephen...I here what you are saying about MOLD. The Heading is Evidence of Mold. I dont state that it's present. ? The Condition is...No musty smell noted. ? If I see blackened Roof Sheathing, Im going to recommend testing. ? MOLD was(is) a big big TOPIC in town. ? Im from St Charles, IL and in 2001 we were the national news story because of MOLD. ? We put mold on the map! It's a big part of the reason Mold is so talked about today. ? A late trendy High School was built in St Charles in the late 70's. The school also had no windows. For decades student were getting sick, and know one could explain why. ? Students graduated..moved away, and were still IL. ? Finally, 2001, they discover the building was fully infested with Black Mold. Students were immediately put in mobile trailers, bused, nites shifts at other schools. ? People were outraged, lawsuits, medical issues...especial when property taxes average 10K. ? So...when there APPEARS to be no issue what-so-ever...I make the statement "No Musty Smell Noted"....again, thats only on a very clean house. ? That way if a mold, must, or dampness issue came up down the road, I have a record that there was no sense of it previously. ? I would be interested in hearing was others have incountered, or a legal perspective.

Ok Eyes are blurring...please disregards spelling and grammer...to tired now...and I have a meeting in 2hrs to attend

The Macy merge is a feature that Dom added so multiple comments can be selected in a single line of text and separated with a comma or period.

Your report for a first one looks good. I have some suggestions and will try to post later.

Aww,Thank's David....I thought it might be a feature named after you.