Need help selecting report software

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Thank you, Linas.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

I've just learned from Carl Fowler of 3d Inspection Software, another competitor of mine and another vendor I respect, that Martin Hewitt infringed on 3D's coprighted material in July of this year (a fancy way of saying "stole from Carl and 3d), and was sent a "cease and desist" letter. If anyone has Hewitt's software send it back to him and consider the software of decent honest vendors, like Dominic J. Maricic, Jeff Knight, Carl Fowler of 3D, and Russell Buchannan of Home Gauge. Speaking for Porter valley Software, I'll make damn near any deal to keep a crook out of the market place.

[Russell Buchanan]

Originally Posted by jwatts1

From my (Inspector) view point....

The (Checkbox) format of other programs will not protect you, a brief description of each item will!

While that is debatable, in HomeGauge (if desired) you can remove the column headers and narrate at each item until your hearts content. I am sure other programs can do this as well.


(another topic) Best wishes to you Keith Swift of PV on protecting your intellectual property.

Russell
www.homegauge.com

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Thanks, Russell.
P.S. My wife thinks you have a nice accent, but so do I.

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

As I use InspectVue, I have seen a few others and tried them. It is really what works for you, what keeps you on track with your inspection and if it allows you to work the house in a fashion that compliments the software.
Try the demos and limited try software, do some tester inspections and go with what you feel makes the best for you.
Bill

[Erby Crofutt]

Here's an example of what Russell was talking about when he mentioned removing the column headers and narrating to your heart's content.

B4U Close Sample Report

My heart is very content with HomeGauge.

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

Home Inspector Pro at: [IMG]www.homeinspectorpro.com[/IMG]

[Russell Buchanan]

Another good software to check out: http://www.knightssoftware.com/

[Jeff Knight]

An endorsement by a competitor...that's gotta be a first for me. Thanks Russel.

[asargisian]

I graduate from AHIT and they have a remarkable, nice set up of a sotware, and it's call INSPECTIT PRO, I think you'll be very pleased with it..i know i am.
It will give you everything you need for a home inspection. It also gives u a great and i mean great selection of problems that you may encounter at home inspectin. for the price of it think if im not mistaken is only $299.00 call Jeramie at AHIT at 800 441-9411 or go to their website at www.ahit.com

good luck..by the way when you print the forms, they come out very nicely, and think you would like the format of the software. i wouldn't trade for nothing else...

[Russell Buchanan]

Our newest version HomeGauge version 4 is set to be released before Christmas. Those searching for robust software should take the full version trial for a test drive before deciding on software. The beta version just went out to 50 HomeGauge users signed up as beta testers. They have 10 days to give us feedback before it is released. This link is a nerd list that is not spelled out but can give some of you some ideas of the improvements.
http://www.homegauge.com/inspector/hgis/hg40.html Over 100 changes were not listed in the link.

One example of a small change that means alot is the ability to filter the auto-comment list easily. For instance, If you have an inspection item plumbing with many many comments in the auto-comment library (i.e. water supply comments, drain and waste comments and fixtures comments), you can select the drop down to show only those comments in that category. This will reduce time sifting through comments. Small change but big benefit.

[Russell Buchanan]

HomeGauge 4.0 is available for trial download now!!

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f31/thanks-home-gauge-22415/

Follow the thread to the download link.

Enjoy!

[Justin Watts]

I highly recommend InspectVue by Porter Valley over Home Guage, it is hands down a better program and easier for your clients to read.....

InspectVue contains specific information for common defects such as Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels, drainage issues, HVAC issues, etc. The program actually educates inspectors as they are using the program with a variety of property conditions and ages of construction.

I don't only recommend it because I am an authorized dealer, but I use the program myself in my own inspection business and I have never had one client complaint regarding any of my reports...

I offer all inspectors the program at a discount of $845.00 out the door if you are interested...
Contact me at my email: americandream1@cox.net or call me at (949) 331-2602.

Happy Holidays!
Justin Watts
American Dream Home Inspection
http://www.americandreamhomeinspection.net

[bzimbelman]

Originally Posted by jwatts1

I highly recommend InspectVue by Porter Valley over Home Guage, it is hands down a better program and easier for your clients to read.....

InspectVue contains specific information for common defects such as Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels, drainage issues, HVAC issues, etc. The program actually educates inspectors as they are using the program with a variety of property conditions and ages of construction.

I don't only recommend it because I am an authorized dealer, but I use the program myself in my own inspection business and I have never had one client complaint regarding any of my reports...

I offer all inspectors the program at a discount of $845.00 out the door if you are interested...
Contact me at my email: americandream1@cox.net or call me at (949) 331-2602.

Happy Holidays!
Justin Watts
American Dream Home Inspection
http://www.americandreamhomeinspection.net

Nothing like pure marketing crap to add to the discussion .

HG and InspectVue don't even compare, not even the same market. Well, actually I think you can make HG do something similar to what InspectVue does, but you can't make InspectVue do anything like where HG performs, and that is in producing a high quality, easy to read checklist style report.

Nothing against InspectVue, if you want to lengthy, narrative report that turns off customers, it does a good job of producing that.

On the other hand, HG has just raised the bar again in producing a new release that has even more features to make it easier for the HI to produce a high quality, easy to read, checklist style report that will garner you more business and save you time and effort entering data when you should be inspecting the house. You decide.

[Justin Watts]

Hi Brian,

As for marketing. I don't sell InspectVue, the product sells itself, that's the only reason why I have sold it to fellow inspectors across the nation. And everyone that has purchased it from me has been very pleased with the program.

Checklist style reports are an attorney's best friend.. Most home inspectors are SUED due to check list style reports because they don't explain or "educate" or disclaim conditions that buyers should be made of aware of. Not sure if you knew this.

I am in business to provide the best report possible and to protect myself and my clients... As for the extensive language, its there for a reason. to EDUCATE clients, and if you are ever sued for those "boring" topics you failed to disclaim in your report, wouldn't you like to read back in your report.. and say didn't you read this?

Serious defects are highlighted in "red" in my reports.. so for clients/agents that do not wish to read the "extensive" language, I have highlighted issues that are high priority...

In my State of California, next to New Jersey... California is a very litigous state and filing a lawsuit is cheaper than a steak dinner!

Your inspection software should be the best financial armor one can have... Why not have one that looks good, and protects you!

Just my thoughts,
Justin Watts
American Dream Home Inspection
www.americandreamhomeinspection.net