HomeGauge or 3D

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

I agree with Russell. You really need to try each software out doing a test inspection (on your own house maybe) and see what you like or dislike. The only problem with that is sometimes you may not have the actual hardware yet to try all the software out on. If you don't have a PDA or a UMPC Samsung device then you really are limited to actually using the software on a real live inspection. Using software at the office on a PC can be a totally different experience then trying to use the same software later in the field on a different type of device and screen size. I would recommend deciding first on what hardware you think will work for you and get the hardware first and then try out the software that works on that device to make your final selection.

Another problem with trying the demos on a live inspection is that none of the software out there is going to have the perfect comment library for your specific area of the country and the style of inspections you do...so unless you spend quite a bit of time modify the comments to your liking it becomes hard to really use the software doing a live inspection. Most inspectors are not willing to spends days on each possible software choice to modify the comments to fit their style before they test each one. This does not mean it is impossible to evaluate the software doing an inspection but the inspector needs to keep in mind that they should be evaluating the flow of the program, the interface and the features and NOT base the evaluation of the software on the set of comments that comes with the software since most of the software out there now can be completely customized to how they want the comment library to look like.

Jeff Knight
Kngihts Software Solutions,Inc.
www.knightssoftware.com

Jeff no offence intended, but thats exactly what one needs to do live, reconfigure as he walks through the house, making changes, adding canned responces.
WHY?
to see for himself how the software can change on the fly,
modifying templates
modifying responces
how it feels as he does the inspection, and how it responds to his quirks and reporting style.
This is where the rubber meets the road, and where the software should and will shine for that inspector.
I used IV3 and 4
Currently HIP
waiting for HG but have demo'd the hell out of HG4 trial
I was a PPC user prior and love the portability, dock in the van upload and massage the report.
We all know IV had an issue here for onsite reporting.
Hip is a super software and I really enjoy what I am capable of delivering
note ( what I am)
HG really took me by surprise with this release and when I can get it in a full version to really put it to the test I am looking forward to it.
Both correction ALL software is good, WHY?
it delivers a typed readable report for your clients. (my hand printing is horrible)
2) it lets those that CHOOSE to add pictures along with comments an option.
3) it has a layout that can be followed and can or rather should be modifiable to be presented in the way the inspection occured so that the CLIENT can read and remember as we went through the house, recall the pros and cons of the home via the report.
4) upload capabilitys, nuff said here
5) webhosting, again nuff said.
6) support, this is where some differ, Dom at the moment is able to survive on his USB plugin and requires zero down time except for the occasional re boot. HG is always a phone call away and if the person who does know is busy they will call back. but answers are for the most don right there.
7) the final report printed or electronic the differences here are a bit.
HG uses Html electonic and HIP uses Adobe PDF with the menu guidence system, both are great and work well, but you as the user would have to decide what you want and feel your clients need.

As a side note I would really like to review your software so I am able to make decisions based on actual testing rather then hearsay.

To those that are looking to buy I am sorry but yes you need to try each for atleast 30 days 60 would be better to really feel the software, you need the 30 just to get it into usable shape and tweeked to where you can actually properly test it. Maybe the software makers will up the ante to 60 or more days for a proper trial.
Then move to the next software your looking at and do another 30 days and so on
DO not attepmt to do a side by side trial yo will only get frustrated and scrap them all, you need the time to learn and 30 days rolls super fast.

any question I would be happy answer from my POV
Billy

[Vince Santos]

I've been using reporthost for quite a while now and have been happy with it other than the fact you have to pay a fee each month. I'm considering other options but dread having to add custom verbiage as I believe most reporting software comes with generic verbiage requiring you to add lots of your own which is just a pain in the neck

[relliott]

Originally Posted by vsantos

I've been using reporthost for quite a while now and have been happy with it other than the fact you have to pay a fee each month. I'm considering other options but dread having to add custom verbiage as I believe most reporting software comes with generic verbiage requiring you to add lots of your own which is just a pain in the neck

No pain No Gain.

Everytime you do a report you can save comments and build as you go.

I tried Report Host and feel it is good for newbies , but not so great for anyone looking to impress.

It is to slow and not very customizable.I think I got 15 freebies and used zero in real Inspections.

I had no idea they now added a monthly fee though.

[Russell J. Hensel]

I use 3D and have had some difficulty learning the program. But after the initial inspection I have the report in hand, printed, bound and delieved on site in about 30-45 minutes. That to me is worth every penny. I use a hand held computer (ipaq) and then I sync it with my laptop in the van and then add pictures and then print it out.

Just my info....although I have never really tried another software this one works for me and it works well.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by rhensel

I use 3D and have had some difficulty learning the program. But after the initial inspection I have the report in hand, printed, bound and delieved on site in about 30-45 minutes. That to me is worth every penny. I use a hand held computer (ipaq) and then I sync it with my laptop in the van and then add pictures and then print it out.

Just my info....although I have never really tried another software this one works for me and it works well.

I am presenty looking at 3D primarily because is has a *French* version. There is not many inspection software available in French and English...

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

Originally Posted by vsantos

I've been using reporthost for quite a while now and have been happy with it other than the fact you have to pay a fee each month. I'm considering other options but dread having to add custom verbiage as I believe most reporting software comes with generic verbiage requiring you to add lots of your own which is just a pain in the neck

Vince, I am surthere are a few here that would send you there comments section for you to also add and use which would speed things up. The changeing is a forever item, I am adding new items or changing them all the time. Especillay from this site, I pick up new ways of saying things that I like and rewrite mine to accomadaye the new information, it will never stop.
This is where the software has to be able to grow with you and as your services change so must the software be able to adapt to your added inspections, IE Mold, IR, Roof inspections IR, insulation, new construction, renovations, commercial, industrial, HVAC, you need to have a software that can alllow you to make these modifications to report what you are inspecting.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by mgratton

I am presenty looking at 3D primarily because is has a *French* version. There is not many inspection software available in French and English...

Marcel, with several of the programs you can add your own narratives in your own language. I know we have quite a few French users and have even added in a French spellchecker (as well as 4 other languages). I'm sure HomeGauge also has French users.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

Marcel, with several of the programs you can add your own narratives in your own language.

Much like re-inventing the wheel and that takes lots and lots of time, which I don't have.

Hey, how about you doing a French version of HIP?

See what I mean...

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Hi Marcel,

If only I spoke French I've asked a few of the guys that I know are using HIP in French in the past if they would share their templates but they didn't feel comfortable doing it. If you make a French template I'll give you the software and all future updates for free.

If you ask the guys around here, with ANY software you will be rewriting most of the narratives for yourself.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

If you make a French template I'll give you the software and all future updates for free.

Thanks but no thanks; I'm an inspector not a reporting software developer/vendor.

If ever you feel the need for a good English/French translator though, please let me know.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Hi Marcel,

I understand. Creating a template within the software is as simple as translating it to what you want, that's how we have people using it in 5 languauges right now. I'll let you know though if we come up with one we can give out publicly.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

Hi Marcel,
I'll let you know though if we come up with one we can give out publicly.

Thanks Dominic but I'm not looking for charity!

I am simply looking for an inspection software program for my needs...

Cheers,

[George A. H. Luck]

I started with 3-D and was very happy with it. I am no computer whiz but I found the learning curve to be very forgiving.

After a few years I got restless and tried another brand ( I won't name it, but several have referred to it ) I was less than impressed and eventually, after losing reports, freeze-ups of my lap top ( there is nothing more terrifying than having your report disappear or your lap top freeze up while the client is waiting for his report ) and a lot of silly weak cursing went back to 3-D.

I use 3-D with P.D.A. and find it fast and accurate. I have written most of my own comments over the years and ( fortunately) was able to transfer the comments I had written for my first 3-D programme to my new one. As others have stated, the remarks continue to change with the times and my acquisition of knowledge and that feature is most important. Changing the content of the report remarks is easy. Inclusion of pictures, site diagrams etc is another great feature of 3-D.

I cannot comment on the technical support as I only had to call them once to resolve an operator created problem but at that time found the guys in Florida to be capable and eager to help.

Anyway, if you want a fast, stable, easily modified quick to learn inspection programme, then 3-D is it. I am sure the others are nice little programmes but 3-D gets the job done.
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[Robert A. Jack]

Home Gauge I looked at most of the software out there and settled on Home Gauge and am glad I did. The software is very easy to use and customize to your particular needs and likes. The tech support is top notch, and they speak English to.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

As a trainer and inspector I have had, tried and used most major software and book systems. Such as: Inspect Vue, 3-D, Inspect-It, Report Plus, Home Inspector Pro, Bouralis, einspection, ITA's checklist AND software, etc, etc.

Lotta great things about all BUT over the years most of our trainees have gravitated toward HG. Great software, easy to get up and running, great options for how you want the report to look, photo integration easy, the phone support from OLD Sean #1 is great most of the time. AND if you do get Russell on the phone, its a real hoot - he talks with a funny accent.

The only complaint I hear is guys wish there was more in depth 2/3 training available to go to to get more out of the software. They got a 1 day. but it seems to lean more toward brand new users (heres the on/off key, etc).

HG is our software of choice. An attorney called last week and was suing a home inspector and wanted me to review the guys report. It was one of the other report software mentioned above. He forwarded me the web link to the guys report.

I went to download it to print and read. It was in PDF format and took almost 5 minutes to download. I was overwhelmed. I don't have that kinda time. I can't imagine realtors, lenders or clients going through that.

Hurray for HG.