How do you enter data on site?

[Jeff Knight]

I am wondering if I can ask a followup question on the results of the poll so far.

I am wondering how long it takes for the 66 of the 80 inspectors that took the poll and answered that they "reenter their data back at the office on a computer" as to how long it takes them, on average, to do this ?

I know from the 10 years of talking to home inspectors that this can become a very time consuming task and that when an inspector grows his business enough to get an average of 2 a day that this becomes almost impossible to do without staying up late every night and then having another full day the next day.

I'd also be curious as to how many inspections you average a week if you are reentering data on a computer back at the office compared to an inspector that enters the data directly on a pda as they are doing the inspection. I know the market is in a flux right now so mileage may vary right now.

Jeff
www.knightssoftware.com

[Bruce A. King]

Jeff,

You will find a huge difference in report writing time due to the different levels of thoroughness during the inspection process and during the reporting.
The state required data has a huge impact on reporting time too.

Some inspectors just cut and paste, recommend plumber, electrician etc.
They don't even explain the issues. These reports probably take 15-30 minutes. They list all of the floor materials, sink materials etc. and leave out 50 percent of what is wrong with the house.

The big thing for most thorough inspectors is learning to be efficient with the report software.

My report time has dropped in half of what it used to be just due to experience. I even type out 90 percent of every issue to custom fit the exact problem, location etc. I can do a good house report (20 items) in about 1 hour, a typical house (60 items) takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. A few still take 3 hours to report (120 items). Keep in mind that I work in 2 states that require a lot of data in the report too.

My extra time at the PC is much easier than scribbling notes on site, I use a voice recorder and have learned to record abbreviated notes and long ones that almost match what will be typed in the report.

The truth is this, all inspection reporting software is cumbersome and time consuming. The winner in this software game will be the company that can produce a system that can accurately covert data downloaded from a voice recorder directly into typed text that can then be easily placed within the report with ease. I doubt if any voice recognition software will ever work well, just too many variables, noise and distortions from wearing a mask in the crawlspace.

[eullah]

This is what happens when you are in a competitive field.
One has to use the best available tools and complete his/her job at site without wasting time of other people (Agent, buyer/owner) who are waiting for your results and findings to decide and move on.

[Jeff Knight]

Ehsan,

Just so you are aware....most inspectors that use a handheld device in the field can actually gather the inspection data quicker then someone using a paper form...main reason...less writing. Instead of writing the same comment over and over you actually pick it from a drop down list and it automatically gets filled in. Another reason is that you can default certain data by pressing a single button where on a form you would need to manual check the boxes.

Jeff

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Ehsan,

Just so you are aware....most inspectors that use a handheld device in the field can actually gather the inspection data quicker then someone using a paper form...main reason...less writing. Instead of writing the same comment over and over you actually pick it from a drop down list and it automatically gets filled in. Another reason is that you can default certain data by pressing a single button where on a form you would need to manual check the boxes.

Jeff

It has been reported here more then once by an expert witness .
He has been in Court 42 times.
39 where electronic reports
3 where check list.
Now I do think experience might have some thing to do with this .
It seems many of the older more experienced Home Inspectors use the check list.
Many of the newer HIs use the computer generated report.
For you information the Expert gets all the Programs for free has teaches Home Inspection courses and has used many of the electronic reporting systems.
He him self like me prefers the check list also.

PS I was attended a lawyer course for HIs and was told 85 % of home Inspector complaints are frivilious .

I think I am completed my report and on my way faster then most Computer reports.

...Cookie

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by rcooke

It has been reported here more then once by an expert witness .
He has been in Court 42 times.
39 where electronic reports
3 where check list.
Now I do think experience might have some thing to do with this .
It seems many of the older more experienced Home Inspectors use the check list.
Many of the newer HIs use the computer generated report.
For you information the Expert gets all the Programs for free has teaches Home Inspection courses and has used many of the electronic reporting systems.
He him self like me prefers the check list also.

PS I was attended a lawyer course for HIs and was told 85 % of home Inspector complaints are frivilious .

I think I am completed my report and on my way faster then most Computer reports.

...Cookie

Roy,
All that says is that more inspections are delivered now as an electronic report instead of a handwritten report which is what I would expect. That number would be completely reversed 10 years ago when most inspectors were still using paper checksheets as their end product.

Jeff

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Roy,
All that says is that more inspections are delivered now as an electronic report instead of a handwritten report which is what I would expect. That number would be completely reversed 10 years ago when most inspectors were still using paper checksheets as their end product.

Jeff

How do we know that.
22 HIs at the lawyers meeting and I think well over 50% could have even been 100 % used the check list.
I am done inspection in about 3 hours report and all.
Those who post here seem to spend a lot longer per report.
I also do not know how many years these 42 court cases covered as this inspector has been done inspection for about 20 years~

Cookie

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by rcooke

How do we know that.
22 HIs at the lawyers meeting and I think well over 50% could have even been 100 % used the check list.
I am done inspection in about 3 hours report and all.
Those who post here seem to spend a lot longer per report.
I also do not know how many years these 42 court cases covered as this inspector has been done inspection for about 20 years~

Cookie

All I am saying Roy is that those numbers do not prove in any way that electronic reports cause litigation more then a paper report...and yes...the inspectors that use our software take about 3 hours to do the entire inspection and print it out on site...some less...in fact some inspectors that have used our software after a few years actually decided to increase their time doing an inspection because they felt they were getting it done too quickly and they started inspecting more details of the house to get the full 3 hours in that their clients were expecting.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

All I am saying Roy is that those numbers do not prove in any way that electronic reports cause litigation more then a paper report...and yes...the inspectors that use our software take about 3 hours to do the entire inspection and print it out on site...some less...in fact some inspectors that have used our software after a few years actually decided to increase their time doing an inspection because they felt they were getting it done too quickly and they started inspecting more details of the house to get the full 3 hours in that their clients were expecting.

Just so others know I sell nothing and would of course expect you to defend The computer generated Report .

...Cookie

[relliott]

Roy you are not going to change at this point, and I would not expect it.
Fact is most all Inspectors , if not the case already are doing PDF transmission as a way to cut costs of printing while at the same time being able to include all sorts of personal maintenance and tips relating to the house.
Most people are visual and want pics with cicles and arrows pointing directly at a defect so they can understand what the heck we are talking about

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

I am wondering if I can ask a followup question on the results of the poll so far.

I am wondering how long it takes for the 66 of the 80 inspectors that took the poll and answered that they "reenter their data back at the office on a computer" as to how long it takes them, on average, to do this ?

I know from the 10 years of talking to home inspectors that this can become a very time consuming task and that when an inspector grows his business enough to get an average of 2 a day that this becomes almost impossible to do without staying up late every night and then having another full day the next day.

I'd also be curious as to how many inspections you average a week if you are reentering data on a computer back at the office compared to an inspector that enters the data directly on a pda as they are doing the inspection. I know the market is in a flux right now so mileage may vary right now.

Jeff
www.knightssoftware.com

Two things I notice
(one) You are not a member of NACHI
(two) You only put your company name on your first post.

Most if not all who come to the NACHI site make sure the information of their company is on all post's so that the HIs know they are dealing with a person who is pushing their product.
Most who come to push their product take out a membership so we all know they are not here for a free ride.

...Cookie

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by relliott

Roy you are not going to change at this point, and I would not expect it.
Fact is most all Inspectors , if not the case already are doing PDF transmission as a way to cut costs of printing while at the same time being able to include all sorts of personal maintenance and tips relating to the house.
Most people are visual and want pics with cicles and arrows pointing directly at a defect so they can understand what the heck we are talking about

No I do not expect to change but I do feel all should know this is a person who is not a member and who istrying to convince others his product is the way to go.
You never see this type of discusion with any of the companies who support NACHI.
" Fact is most all Inspectors " You could be correct but I wonder how many of the older HIs who seldome or never post still do not use a PDA.
...Cookie... In my area of Canada most use the C@D reports
Never ever had a client say Gee I wish you had a computer generated report.
But Have had many say how much they prefer our report over that other kind.

[relliott]

Roy I agree with you on the older Inspector point.
Us youg guns have less networking established and need more of a wow factor, if you wish bluntness.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by relliott

Roy I agree with you on the older Inspector point.
Us youg guns have less networking established and need more of a wow factor, if you wish bluntness.

Love a discussion it brings out many ideas for all to see and helps others to generate their own ideas and thoughts.
Incidentally I had a PDA and lap top, soft ware and could have gone the way of on the Spot printing. Gave it to my son.
...Cookie

[relliott]

I could never do on spot, as you need time to go over anything you forgot.
I often give a quick punchlist and then a revision.
In Illinois I get 48 hours.This allows for deeper study and unwanted lawsuits.