Inspection Notes

[kpatteri]

Hi,

Being new to the business I was curious how most of you save your information while doing the actual inspection? I assume you can write it, use a voice recorder, etc. I just purchased a copy of Home Inspector Pro, can you use the program on something like an 'I Pad' while doing the actual inspection?

I'm just curious how most inspectors do it. I have been studying for about 6 months now and wanted to start doing some mock inspections.

Thanks,

Kevin

[John Shishilla]

Yes in short. Everyone does it a little different.

Some use their camera for notes, some use voice recorders, some record voice on their phone or camera. others carry a small PDA, tablet or netbook.

My company gives away note pads(with logo and phone and email address) they fit in my back pocket and I write notes on them if I need to. Usually I carry my computer to the garage and do not need to write much down except the A/C serial number.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by kpatteri

Hi,

Being new to the business I was curious how most of you save your information while doing the actual inspection? I assume you can write it, use a voice recorder, etc. I just purchased a copy of Home Inspector Pro, can you use the program on something like an 'I Pad' while doing the actual inspection?

I'm just curious how most inspectors do it. I have been studying for about 6 months now and wanted to start doing some mock inspections.

Thanks,

Kevin

Kevin
Home Inspector Pro is specifically tailored to using a tablet.
Thats why all the tabs and ability to use custom templates.

You need to ask Dom about the i pad as I do not use Apple products.
HIP does run on Mac.

[Kevin Patteri]

How do you do it Bob?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

A trusted assistant and Post-it notes.

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

A trusted assistant and Post-it notes.

Why does she have to be trusted??

Jeff

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Kevin...

you better be absolutely sure you want to bring an Ipad to an inspection. You aren't going to have it in your sight the entire time.

On HIP, You can set up the program to print out all the topics with no notes and use that as your note template.

Jeff

[Curtis M. Vilt]

I save everything related to the inspection down to the notes of any phone conversations. I do most of the inspection on HIP but the yellow pad goes everywhere I go.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by Kevin Patteri

How do you do it Bob?

Using a tablet is not for everyone while on site as I personally find it distracting.
Now in days I just take the 1 second and switch to video if a on screen hand signal does not do enough to jog memory.

However that is not your question.
There is nothing special you need to do other than have a stylus handy.
Should be easy enough to just click on material comments but issues may need more of a narrative and you can use on board handwriting recognition.

I can do it that way, but my inspections take a long time as it is.
My progress is like CSI investigation combined with to much lip flapping.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Mainly take alot of pictures. Seldom write any notes. Just started to use the voice memo feature on my IPhone. Works very good.

[Kevin Patteri]

Thanks for all the good info guys. Sounds like I'll probably print out a template from HIP, take plenty of pictures and use my Droid for dictation. After just studying for 6 months I'm ready to start doing some mock inspections and see what it's like.

[Kenneth Dolin]

I have not written anything down since 2003. Even if I had I would have either lost the notebook it was in or not been able to read what I wrote. I use my camera for almost everything, from serial numbers to email addresses of clients and the check that they write me. I do have a voice recorder though and have used that on occasion.
Even my borescope takes video and jpgs.

[Kenneth Dolin]

LOL I just forgot the downside, I left my camera on the top of my trucks toolbox one day after an inspection in Palm City, about a 40 min drive from my base. Needless to say it was gone when I got home along with all the pictures. That was NOT a profitable inspection between the two trips the two inspections and the new camera and the gift baskets to the sellers and the realtors for letting me come back a second time.

[Kevin M. Leonard]

I have a photographic memory. But just in case I record everything on a PDA - 3D Pocket PC software and of course pictures.

[Jeff Merritt]

Old School, legal pad with notes.